Karolina Gruszka to Receive the Marshal’s Film Award

Karolina Gruszka is one of the most recognisable Polish actresses of her generation. Her body of work spans film, theatre and television, and the diversity of her roles has enabled her to build one of the most interesting acting careers in contemporary Polish cinema. The Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region also holds a special place in her artistic journey, as she has frequently met with audiences and members of the film community in the region. Her career reflects both a commitment to ambitious auteur cinema and a willingness to take part in popular productions.

Gruszka was born in Warsaw in 1980 and made her screen debut as a child. She graduated from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw. Her filmography includes roles in films and television series such as Boża podszewka, Przedwiośnie, Daleko od okna, Czas honoru, Pani z przedszkola, Sztuka kochania. Historia Michaliny Wisłockiej, Święto ognia and Wyrwa. She gained international recognition through, among other projects, her collaboration with David Lynch on Inland Empire and her portrayal of Marie Skłodowska-Curie in the title role of Marie Noëlle’s film. Another important milestone in her career was her performance in Kochankowie z Marony, for which she received the Best Actress Award at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia.

Karolina Gruszka has strong ties to our region. She appeared in Miasto (2021), directed by Maciej Sauter, and Chopin! Chopin! (2025), directed by Michał Kwieciński, both of which were produced with the support of the Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund. In 2026, she joined the jury of the ON AIR Competition at the 24th BellaTOFIFEST International Film Festival in Toruń. The actress had also met with Toruń audiences on previous occasions. In 2023, she presented films featuring her performances at the CAMERIMAGE Cinema and took part in a discussion with viewers.

Another important connection to the region is the town of Lipno. Karolina Gruszka is among the recipients of the “Politki” awards, presented during the “Pola and Others” Film Festival, organised by the Pola Negri Lipno Cultural Society. These awards honour artists who have also developed their careers internationally.

Karolina Gruszka has also been named a recipient of the Pola Negri Film Award of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, which she will receive during the ToruńCAMERIMAGE 2026 festival.

Paweł Jankowski
Promotion Department

20 October 2026