Bartosz M. Kowalski’s film has been officially invited to the prestigious selection of Fantastic Fest in Austin, USA – one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world. It is further proof that Polish genre cinema is gaining international recognition.
Fantastic Fest has for years been regarded as the world’s most important showcase of horror, thriller, sci-fi and fantasy cinema. It is where titles such as “Barbarian”, “The Witch”, “Raw”, “The Babadook” and “Bone Tomahawk” had their premiere screenings. This year, “13 Days Till Summer” – a brutal home-invasion thriller set in today’s digital world – joins the ranks of the selected productions.
– Sometimes cinema finds its natural home. For genre films, that home is America – and in America, for years now, Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX. That’s why I’m as thrilled as a kid that “13 Days Till Summer” will have its international premiere right there! – says Bartosz M. Kowalski, the film’s director and co-writer.
To date, the only Polish films presented at Fantastic Fest have been Adrian Panek’s “Wilkołak”, Marcin Wrona’s “Demon” and Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s “Córki dancingu”.
“13 Days Till Summer” is a full-blooded home invasion thriller, inspired by true stories, in which violence, technology and youthful carefreeness collide. The main roles are played by, among others, Katarzyna Gałązka, Antek Sztaba, Teodor Koziar, Nicole Bogdanowicz, Hubert Łapacz, Borys Otawa, Olga Rayska, Bartek Deklewa and Julia Mika – representatives of a new generation of Polish actors, who play characters fighting for survival in a world full of appearances and digital illusions.
“13 Days Till Summer” has a real shot at international success. It is a horror film that speaks about our world – and it terrifies because it could actually happen.
The film is now showing in cinemas across Poland. It is distributed by NEXT FILM. The producer is Akson Studio.
13 DAYS TILL SUMMER
Official synopsis:
A Friday night in Poland has never been this bloody. When someone brings a mask and a crossbow to a party instead of crisps, a carefree night turns into a fight for survival. Technology fails – the killer takes control of the security system. The doors lock, the windows seal shut, and the house becomes a prison.
How will you survive when you don’t know who is hunting?
Premiere: 08.08.2025
Directed by: Bartosz M. Kowalski
Screenplay: Bartosz M. Kowalski, Mirella Zaradkiewicz, Thor Magnusson
Cinematography: Cezary Stolecki
Music: Carl – Johan Sevedag
Production design: Natalia Giza
Costumes: Weronika Orlińska
Make-up: Marcin Rodak
Sound: Radosław Ochnio, Piotr Pastuszak
Editing: Jakub Kopeć
Casting director: Paulina Krajnik
Producer: Jan Kwieciński
Executive producer: Małgorzata Fogel – Gabryś
Production: Akson Studio
Production manager: Paulina Bareńska
Creative producer: Mirella Zaradkiewicz
Distribution in Poland: NEXT FILM
Cast: Katarzyna Gałązka, Antek Sztaba, Teodor Koziar, Julia Mika, Nicole Bogdanowicz, Hubert Łapacz, Borys Otawa, Olga Rayska, Bartek Deklewa.
