Acclaimed Polish Filmmaker Agnieszka Holland Vies for Oscar with Kafka Biopic

Acclaimed Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland is making another bid for Oscar glory with her biopic "Franz," which explores the life of enigmatic Czech writer Franz Kafka. The film, which is Poland's entry for the Academy Awards this year, is set to have a one-week qualifying theatrical run in the United States in December 2025, ahead of a wider release in 2026.

Idan Weiss stars as Kafka, the author of seminal works like "The Metamorphosis" and "The Trial," alongside a cast that includes Peter Kurth, Jenovéfa Boková, Ivan Trojan, and Sandra Korzeniak. Conceived as a kaleidoscopic mosaic, the film captures both the man and the myth, revealing Kafka's creative vision, alienation, and lasting cultural imprint.

Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025, "Franz" has also been screened at several other prestigious festivals, including San Sebastian, Rio de Janeiro, Busan, Vancouver, Chicago, Woodstock, and will also be playing at Newport Beach, Denver, and Cairo. The film is lead produced by Sarka Cimbalova and Holland, with a team of co-producers and executive producers attached.