Julia Górniewicz, an award-winning maker of short films using computer technology, talks to Krzysztof Jendrzejczak.

A few weeks ago, together with Jacek Barcikowski from the Poznań University of Technology, Górniewicz-who is a student at the University of Warmia and Mazuria in Olsztyn-won this year's Imagine Cup global competition for short films by students held by the Microsoft company in Seoul, South Korea.

This was the third time you represented Poland in the Imagine Cup competition in the Short Film category. In the previous Imagine Cup, you took second place. This time you won. How different was this year's competition in Seoul from the previous ones?

It was definitely the most difficult of all competitions to date. Its theme, Technology That Enables a Better Education for All, required deep consideration. Besides, we were under big pressure all the time because our families, friends, the media and other participants expected us to win. But we did believe that Pitchforksville, the animated film that we entered for the competition, was good and that we had a good chance of winning. The most difficult moment came when we had to shoot another film as part of a 36-hour challenge. Our main competitors were teams from Brazil, Turkey, Ukraine, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. But we received the biggest ovation during the show and from that moment on we felt much more confident.

What did the judges say?

We did not get the chance to listen to official statement of the jury, but from unofficial talks we gathered that our ideas for both films, with their humorous touch and professional production, were appreciated. The judges also pointed out that we had to overcome many obstacles while shooting and appreciated the progress we had made since our first appearance at the Imagine Cup in Japan two years ago.

What are your winning films about?

Pitchforksville is a Tim Burton-style animated fairy tale. It is a story of an eccentric scientist having a hard time in a small village called Pitchforskville. His neighbors seem unable to understand his genius and strongly protest against each of his inventions. This, however, changes owing to the scientist's idealistic nephew, who shows his uncle how to win the hearts and support of local people.

The other film, E4U, was shot in Seoul. It shows a fictitious company that helps people learn through experiencing situations related to what they want to learn and to their hobbies. The film has a Korean flavor to it. We had great fun shooting it-along with some moments of doubt.

Is it possible to see these films?

Yes, all our films are available on our website,
www.skylinedstudio.com


Music is your other passion. You are a singer songwriter-under the stage name Julia Marcell. When do you expect to release your first album?

I am in the process of raising funds with the help of the sellaband.com service. This is an innovative idea in the music industry that allows music fans to invest in emerging artists. When a musician or a band collects $50,000 in this way, they are offered an opportunity of working in a studio with a world-class producer. The investors receive a copy of the album and earn on its sale. I've already managed to raise $30,000 over quite a short time, so if things continue this way, it is possible that quite soon I'll release my first professional album.