SPIRITUS SANCTUS

Directed by Michał Toczek
Poland | 15 minutes | 2026 | Polish | comedy

June 1999. During the Pope’s visit and the resulting prohibition, Bogdan searches for alcoholfor his wife’s birthday. A simple jaunt quickly turns into a metaphysical odyssey.

Credits:
Director: Michał Toczek
Screenplay: Adam Porębowicz
Cinematography: Tomasz Pawlik
Editing: Ignacy Ciunelis, Jakub Didkowski
Production design: Katarzyna Tomczyk

Produced by: Studio Munka – Stowarzyszenie Filmowców Polskich
Co-produced by: Telewizja Polska S.A, Gdyńskie Centrum Filmowe, High Skills

Cast: Sebastian Stankiewicz, Izabela Dąbrowska, Artur Paczesny, Oskar Stoczyński, Klara Bielawka, Marcin Sztabiński, Albert Osik

Michał Toczek

Festival&Awards:
Cannes Official Short Film Competition

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Michał Toczek

Director and screenwriter. Author of short films presented and awarded in Poland and international as well as public awareness campaigns and commercials. Michal studied directing at the Polish National Film School in Lodz. His student short fiction „A Dead Marriage” received many awards at Polish film festivals – such as Silver Hobby Horse at Cracow Film Festival, Grand Prix of the Short Film Competition at WAMA Festival in Olsztyn and several other prizes and honorable mentions on festivals like „Two Riversides” in Kazimierz Dolny, „The Youth and Film” in Koszalin and many more. The film was also shown at the international festivals, e.g. in Leuven and Tirana.

Michal gained experience by working as the 2nd director on set of „My Wonderful Life” a film by Lukasz Grzegorzek and „Elephant” by Kamil Krawczycki. His documentary debut „Strawberry boys” was presented on festivals in Poland and international, was awarded with Best Editing Award at Cracow Film Festival and an honourable mention at Lubuskie Film Summer in Lagow. In 2021 he received a Best Directing Award with Ola Hulboj for their film in Branded Stories Papaya Young Directors Competition. Michal developed his storytelling skills by working as a reporter for Gazeta Wyborcza during his studies. What he appreciates in Cinema the most is a sensitive approach towards the characters of the movie and witty humour. He considers Ken Loach and Mike Leigh his masters in directing.