Miasto, morze, publiczność. Gdynia a Festiwal Polskich Filmów Fabularnych

Abstrakt

The article examines the role of the Gdynia Film Festival in shaping Gdynia’s cultural identity and its position as a film-oriented city. It traces the Festival’s origins in Gdańsk and Sopot and explains why the move to Gdynia became a decisive turning point, transforming the event from an industry showcase into a broader cultural phenomenon. The analysis combines historical, Political, and economic contexts with reflections on global changes in audiovisual culture. Drawing on selected audience research conducted by the Festival, the text discusses the evolving relationship between the city, its residents, and the Festival, as well as the development of local institutions and infrastructure (notably the Gdynia Film Centre). The article concludes by indicating future research directions on festivalisation and urban ‘city users’.