A new independent distributor specialising in Polish cinema has officially launched in Leicester, supported by De Montfort University and the historical Sir Thomas White Loan Charity.
Founded by Greg Bawol, a De Montfort University graduate, Stork Pictures UK aims to bring contemporary and classic Polish films to audiences across the UK — both in cinemas and through on-demand platforms.
The company’s mission is twofold: to engage the UK’s sizeable Polish community by offering access to films from their homeland, and to introduce the richness of Polish cinema and culture to wider audiences.
Stork Pictures UK’s debut UK release followed a successful acquisition from French sales agent Memento (now Paradise City Sales) earlier this year — Woman Of… (2023), directed by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert.
Premiered at the Venice Film Festival, the film tells the story of Adam, a husband and father who struggles with gender identity and self-acceptance. The title continues to screen at selected UK cinemas.
“I always knew I wanted to be part of the film industry, but moving to the UK helped me find my purpose,” said Bawol. “Polish cinema is bold, artistic and deeply human — yet it’s often overlooked here. I want to make these films visible to both Polish and non-Polish audiences. The success of Woman Of… has confirmed that there’s space and appetite for this work.”
Bawol was mentored by Dr Hiu Man Chan, Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries at De Montfort University.
“I’ve spent nearly three years sharing my experience in engaging diaspora audiences with Greg,” said Dr Chan. “He’s doing remarkably well for a new distributor. Stork Pictures has the potential to become a major player for Polish cinema in the UK. Leicester’s affordability and vibrant cultural mix make it an ideal base for new film distribution ventures.”
The founding of Stork Pictures UK marks a rare entrepreneurial success in the UK film landscape. Its establishment was supported by a tax-free loan from the Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, which has been backing local entrepreneurs and postgraduate students across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland since 1542.
