Independent Film Foundation was established in 1999 to aid the artistic and professional growth of professional filmmakers and to promote creativity and production of films of high artistic value.

The Foundation organises Polish Film Awards Eagles and Polish Film Academy was established at its initiative in 2003. The Polish filmmakers, members of the academy, vote for the Eagles in two-step voting, which is overseen by PwC Poland.

Over the years, the Foundation co-organized several international meetings and conferences, such as the Cartoon Audiovisual Training Forum in Warsaw in 2004, financed by the European Union Media Programme and United International Pictures (UIP) or the Central European Scriptwriters Lab co-organized with Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute. 

The growth of the talent and development of film industries in Central and Eastern Europe is at the heart of the Foundation’s international activities. In 2004, it has organised the first-ever joint Polish-Czech-Slovak Pavilion at the festival in Cannes, with follow-ups in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 and 2007 the Foundation organized the Central European Cinema Stand at the festival in Berlin, which brought together Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia. ScripTeast, the development program for feature film projects from the region is also at the heart of this mission.

The Foundation is headed by its Founder, Dariusz Jablonski, director, producer, member of the European Film Academy. Producer Izabela Wójcik is the Foundation’s Director. ScripTeast’s Managing Director, producer Violetta Kamińska is on the Foundations board.