Maciej Kawalski, a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia, pivoted from medicine to  cinema, studying film directing at the Krzysztof Kieslowski Film School at the University of  Silesia. His short feature, The Last Waltz, was screened at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and  received nominations at Warsaw Film Festival and Cinema Forum’s International Independent  Feature Film Festival. Kawalski is a laureate of Munk Studio’s “30 Minutes” program,  supporting artistic short films. 

Some of Kawalski’s notable achievements include the animated film Tribute of Solidarity,  showcased before Andrzej Wajda’s Wałęsa: Man of Hope, and the award-winning The  Watchmaker, featured in film festivals worldwide, including Budapest, Shanghai, Cairo, and  Kraków. In 2013, Kawalski won second prize at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and received  commercial grants from Cannes Lions and SXSW. He has honed his skills through VII  Agency’s photography masterclass and screenwriting workshops led by industry experts like  Robert McKee.