The Stowarzyszenie Filmowców Polskich (SFP) has come under scrutiny following a recent audit conducted by the Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego (Ministry of Culture and National Heritage), revealing shocking financial practices within the organization. The audit disclosed that the SFP spent over 1.2 million zł on alcohol for cultural events between 2020 and 2024, amidst lavish expenditures on premium cars and business class flights for its leadership.
According to a report from "Gazeta Wyborcza," the SFP's former president, Jacek Bromski, earned an astonishing 3.7 million zł from January 2020 to February 2024. Meanwhile, the office director, Ewa Szacha-Głuchowicz, reportedly made 5.6 million zł during a similar timeframe, including various bonuses and allowances. The report emphasized that these earnings starkly contrast with the meager financial support provided to young filmmakers, which totaled only 199,000 zł in scholarships.
The audit, released on March 25, 2025, highlighted not only the excessive salaries but also the lack of transparency in the SFP's financial dealings. It noted that members of the association were unaware of the substantial amounts being disbursed to their leadership. For context, the highest single allowance for a deserving artist in need was merely 6,000 zł, showcasing a glaring disparity in funding priorities.
"The salary of the director of the SFP office does not find economic justification," the report stated, underlining the questionable financial management practices within the organization. In addition to the salaries, the SFP was criticized for spending 1.24 million zł on alcohol, with 124,000 zł allocated to a single project commemorating deceased members of the association.
Furthermore, the SFP maintained a fleet of premium vehicles, including several Lexus models and a Porsche Macan, raising eyebrows regarding the appropriateness of such expenditures given the organization's mission to support filmmakers.
Newly appointed president Grzegorz Łoszewski, who took over from Bromski in June 2024, now faces the challenge of addressing these irregularities and implementing corrective measures as recommended by the ministry. The audit also pointed out the insufficient oversight exercised by the SFP's board and the auditing committee during Bromski's tenure.
If significant changes are not made, Minister Hanna Wróblewska has warned that the SFP could face fines up to 1 million zł or even the revocation of its permit to perform collective management, a move that would have dire consequences for the Polish film community.
In a response to the audit findings, Bromski expressed confusion over the ministry's negative assessment of the SFP's cultural, social, and educational contributions. He highlighted the numerous cultural events and the debut opportunities provided to young creators, arguing that the association has made significant contributions to the film industry.
However, the financial discrepancies have raised serious questions about the organization's priorities and commitment to its members. The audit revealed that while Bromski and Szacha-Głuchowicz were compensated handsomely, the financial support for young artists remained pitifully low. For instance, the SFP allocated only 2,000 zł monthly in scholarships for young filmmakers, totaling 24,000 zł over a year, a sum that pales in comparison to the millions earned by the leadership.
In light of these revelations, there are growing calls for accountability and reform within the SFP. Critics argue that the organization, which was supposed to champion the interests of filmmakers, has instead become a vehicle for excessive compensation and questionable spending.
As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen how the SFP will navigate this crisis and whether it can regain the trust of its members and the public. With the ministry's oversight and the scrutiny of the press, the SFP is now at a crossroads, facing the challenge of redefining its mission and ensuring that its financial practices align with its stated goals of supporting the artistic community.
In conclusion, the findings from the audit serve as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in organizations that manage funds intended for cultural and artistic development. The SFP's financial practices have sparked widespread outrage, prompting a call for reform to ensure that future resources are directed toward supporting the very artists the organization was established to serve.
