Jagna Janicka

Dr. Jagna Janicka is a Professor and Head of the Department of Film Scenography Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. As a distinguished costume and set designer, she has made significant contributions to Polish theater, film, opera, and ballet productions. She is a member of the Polish Film Academy and has collaborated with renowned directors including Agnieszka Holland, Krzysztof Zanussi, Peter Greenaway, and Wojciech Smarzowski.

Dr. Janicka's research and creative work focuses on visual narrative construction, historical reconstruction in performance, and the relationship between space and dramatic action. Her expertise spans contemporary film design, historical period accuracy, and the psychological dimensions of set and costume design. She has developed specialized knowledge in Polish historical cinema, particularly representations of key periods in Polish history from the 1920s Gdynia port construction to WWII narratives.

Her extensive filmography demonstrates consistent excellence across diverse genres and periods, with particular strength in historical dramas requiring precise visual reconstruction. Her work on 'The Last Family,' 'The Clergy,' and 'In Darkness' represents the pinnacle of contemporary Polish film design, showing her ability to create visually compelling environments that enhance narrative depth and historical authenticity.

• Chicago International Film Festival Award for Best Set Design for 'The Last Family'
• Multiple Polish Film Awards (Orzeł) for 'The Spanish Woman,' 'The Clergy,' and 'In Darkness'
• Ludwik Theater Award 2002 for Best Set Design for 'Idiota' in Kraków
• Gdańsk Mayor's Theater Award 2008 for Costumes for 'Rigoletto'
• Award for Set Design for 'Europy? Mikrodramatów' at IV All-Polish Festival of Contemporary Dramaturgy

Dr. Janicka has maintained long-term artistic partnerships with Poland's leading theaters including the National Theatre, Juliusz Słowacki Theatre, Helena Modrzejewska National Old Theatre in Kraków, and numerous opera institutions. Her designs have appeared in over a dozen major film productions that have gained international recognition and festival awards. As department head, she shapes the next generation of Polish scenographers through her leadership in academic programs focused on both traditional and innovative approaches to visual storytelling.