The Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) lost the companionship of Maciej Karpinski, who died on Thursday 24th October 2025.
Maciej Karpinski’s great commitment to the community of screenwriters in Poland and in Europe
Maciej Karpinski was the Vice-president of the FSE and served the federation as a member of the executive committee since 2015 with a constant and deep commitment. In 2014, he co-organised the 3rd World Conference of Screenwriters in Warsaw, in partnership with the FSE and the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG). “He was a very special and valuable member on our FSE board”, says FSE president Carolin Otto. “A brilliant writer, witty and intelligent and very charming. It always was a pleasure to talk to him, about the film industry, history and life. Moreover, he was our reliable bridge to centraleastern Europe, ready to talk about even difficult things”.
In Poland, and for many years, he was active in the Polish Filmmakers Association, serving as its vice-president from 1989 to 1994, and as chairman of the Screenwriters’ Circle from 2013 to 2022. He was a member of the Polish Film Academy and a member of the European Film Academy.
A passion for sharing his craft and convictions
In the 1980s, he was a university lecturer in the United States. He lectured at the Łódź Film School and was also director (until 2005) of the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia. From 2005 to 2010, he served as the Director’s Representative for International Affairs at the Polish Film Institute. As a critic, he was associated with the editorial offices of many magazines. He is also the author “The Imperfect Reflection: on the Art of Screenwriting”.
A multi-talented and rewarded author
Maciej Karpiński was a renowned novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and literary and theater critic in Poland.
He wrote and co-wrote screenplays for many feature films since the 1970s. Among others: “A Room with a Sea View” (1977), directed by Janusz Zaorski; “A Lonely Woman” (1981), directed by Agnieszka Holland, “The Ring with the Crowned Eagle” by Andrzej Wajda’s (1992); “The End of the Game” (1991) and “Far from Myself” (1995), directed by Feliks Falk. He also co-wrote the screenplays for Jan Kidawa-Błoński’s “Różyczki” (2010) and “Różyczki 2” (2023) and Volker Schlondorf’s “Strike”(2006).
He received numerous national and international awards and distinctions for his work. including Prix Europa for “The Miracle of Purim” (2000) by Izabela Cywińska, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Screenwriting at the “Interscenario” Festival in Wrocław, the Polish Filmmakers Association Award for outstanding artistic achievements and contribution to the development of Polish cinematography, and the Polish Screenwriters Guild Award for lifetime achievement. In 2025, he was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis.
The FSE honours his memory.