Special Acknowlegments
A special thank you to the two pillars who made Naples Polish Movie Festival possible: Joanna Sokołowska-Gwizdka for her passionate promotion of Polish culture and cinema, expert counsel, thoughtful recommendations, and generosity with time, advice and energy; and David Garonzik for his enthusiasm, flawless venue logistics, and for opening his premier screening rooms. Your combined dedication turned our vision into reality. We are grateful and privileged beyond words!
Joanna Sokołowska-Gwizdka is a Polish writer, journalist, literary historian, and prominent cultural activist based in Austin, Texas. A graduate of Polish Philology from the University of Łódź, she previously worked as an academic in the Department of Old Polish Literature and as a TV and radio contributor in Poland and abroad.
Now living in the U.S., she serves as Editor-in-Chief of Culture Avenue (www.cultureave.com), a key platform promoting Polish arts internationally. She is also President of the Austin Polish Society and a core member (and often key organizer) of the Austin Polish Film Festival, where she conducts interviews with filmmakers, writes insightful articles, and helps shape the program year after year
Her work includes books on Polish theater history (such as ‘Teatr spełnionych nadziei’), a biography-related project on Helena Modjeska, and contributions to Polish media worldwide. A member of the Union of Polish Writers Abroad, Joanna has received recognition for her efforts in preserving and sharing Polish heritage abroad. Her commitment makes events like our film festival truly special.
David Garonzik is the Founder and CEO of Naples Cinematheque, a premier venue for alternative and classic cinema in Southwest Florida. With over 30 years of experience in the film industry, he has managed prestigious screening rooms for Miramax (including one built for Quentin Tarantino) and MRC/Dick Clark Productions, where he handled high-profile presentations for films like The Revenant and Ghost in the Shell. A skilled projectionist since age 17, David has also operated at major film festivals such as Palm Springs and Hamptons. In 2022, he relocated from Los Angeles to Naples with his wife Cecilia to launch Naples Cinematheque, partnering with Paragon Theaters Pavilion to bring restored vintage, foreign, and themed film series to the community. Passionate about recreating the magic of shared theatrical experiences, David curates unique projects that celebrate cinema’s 100+ year history.
