Inside Bitcoin Film Festival with organizers Tomek and Aza

A film festival built around Bitcoin might sound like a niche curiosity. But in Warsaw, Poland, the Bitcoin Film Festival is using pop culture to question the systems we usually take for granted – including money.

“Culture is the most powerful vehicle for ideas,” Tomek Kołodziejczuk, founder of the festival, told The Crypto Radio.

What began as a grassroots idea at a Bitcoin meetup evolved into Bitcoin FilmFest (BFF) – a global cultural initiative. Its flagship event, the Bitcoin Film Festival, takes place each spring in Warsaw.

Running from May 22–25 in the city’s iconic Palace of Culture, the festival brings together 200–300 filmmakers, Bitcoiners, and cultural thinkers for screenings, panels, workshops, and a live pitch contest.

A different kind of film festival

"We want content that can be recommended to family members," Kołodziejczuk said, emphasizing accessibility. The films aren’t just technical breakdowns of cryptocurrency, but narratives exploring broader themes of freedom, privacy, and economic transformation.

The lineup spans genres – from documentaries to comedies. Kołodziejczuk highlighted emerging projects such as Bitcoin and Friends, an animated comedy series, and a potential biopic about Bitcoin’s mysterious creator.

"We’re waiting for that top IMDb film that doesn’t push Bitcoin, but shows a future where decentralized digital currency exists," he noted.

While the event mainly draws Bitcoiners, it’s designed to be welcoming to newcomers. "For beginners or people just interested in Bitcoin, this is a perfect event to learn more, get inspired, and get motivated," Kołodziejczuk said.

BFF volunteer Aza summed up the festival’s ethos simply: “Orange-pilling cinema, decentralized storytelling.”

Where Bitcoin meets art

The broader mission is ambitious: using art to reimagine economic systems. “By fixing money, we can fix culture,” Kołodziejczuk argued. He believes the current monetary system shapes the stories we tell – often reinforcing the status quo. Bitcoin, in his view, creates space for more authentic narratives.

Aza echoed this idea, explaining that some selected films “don’t even mention Bitcoin once, but reveal all these truths that the legacy cinema is trying to hide or oppress.”

It’s not just about watching films – it’s about stepping into a living, decentralized cultural space. Attendees can expect yoga workshops, film discussions, networking opportunities, and a closing ceremony featuring an Ad Awards show celebrating the best marketing campaigns in Bitcoin.

Events will unfold across multiple venues around central Warsaw, including a vintage cinema and outdoor spaces.

Language won’t be a barrier – the entire festival is conducted in English, making it accessible to an international audience. While Polish cinema has a place in the lineup, the goal is a global conversation about Bitcoin’s cultural impact.

And while Warsaw is its flagship location, the broader initiative is spreading – each new event helping to grow a decentralized cultural network.

A place to build, not just watch

The pitch contest may be the most interactive part of the event. Filmmakers will present unfinished projects in search of funding, and the audience will vote on which films they want to see completed – directly shaping the future of Bitcoin cinema.

“We're not just showing movies – we're helping create a peaceful revolution,” Kołodziejczuk said.

Aza described it as “100% cultural event... a community-driven experience,” noting that the festival is meant to support artists and creators, not just entertain. “We are helping independent creators to be visible, to get more traction, more visibility.”

The festival coincides with a lively time in the city, as students finish exams and the streets take on a celebratory energy. "The end of May in Warsaw offers great weather – t-shirts and shorts are enough," Kołodziejczuk said.

As part of the broader BFF initiative, the Warsaw event is only one piece of a larger cultural puzzle. Events have already taken place in Lisbon, Cape Town, Maribor, and more – each one contributing to a growing movement at the intersection of cinema and decentralized ideas.

What's next for Bitcoin cinema?

Kołodziejczuk sees massive potential for Bitcoin-themed storytelling. "In 10 years, maybe five, Bitcoin cinema will be something else entirely," he predicted. The festival is laying the groundwork for a new genre of storytelling – one that moves beyond traditional crypto narratives.

“If we want this entire space to grow and get stronger,” Aza added, “we need to have higher quality of content.”

And as Bitcoin questions who controls money, this festival questions who controls culture – and gives the mic to those rewriting the script.

 

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or in Guardians of Bitcoin podcast.

Use the discount code ‘GoB’ to get 10% off on tickets.