LARP

Film description

“Larp” is a hilarious coming-of-age story about school life, first love, and a rather unusual hobby. This action-packed comedy follows a teenage technical school student who is misunderstood by his family and bullied by peers for his passion for fantasy — and for playing an elf in LARP (live action role-playing) games.

The film features Martyna Byczkowska, Andrzej Konopka, Bartłomiej Topa, Edyta Olszówka, Maciej Bisiorek, Agnieszka Rajda and Michał Balicki, with debuting actor Filip Zaręba in the lead role.

Larp is a live-action version of RPGs in which participants collectively create and experience stories full of magic and swordplay, taking on chosen roles. In this extraordinary imaginary world, Sergiusz (Filip Zaręba) is a true hero — brave, strong and unbeatable. In real life, not so much.

His situation becomes even more complicated when a new student — the beautiful Helena (Martyna Byczkowska) — joins the class, and Sergiusz falls in love with her at first sight. Unfortunately, she starts hanging out with the popular crowd, and Sergiusz feels he has little chance of winning her heart against the school trolls. Everything changes when he unexpectedly discovers Helena’s secret — and a famous bestselling author (Bartłomiej Topa) arrives in town.

Film expert’s recommendation

Larp, dir. Kordian Kądziela (Poland, 2025). The feature debut of the director previously involved in the making of the series 1670 (2023–), featuring some of the same actors. The film is an expansion of Kądziela’s own 30-minute student short Larp (2014), which shows his deeply personal connection to the project. This genre-mixing film — blending coming-of-age drama, fantasy, and satire (a nod to 1670) — explores the classic teenage themes of first love, self-discovery, and relationships with family and peers. Kądziela presents them with humour and lightness, without losing sight of what truly matters to young people. For fans of live-action role-playing, it’s also a chance to see their world reflected — a little distorted, perhaps, but sharply observed.

Accessibility for people with additional needs

the screening on 23.11 will take place at the Helios cinema in Auditorium 1 with 414 seats. The screening on 26.11 will take place at the Kino Pałacowe in an auditorium with 140 seats;

you may leave (e.g., to use the restroom) and return to the auditorium during the screening;

before the screening you can borrow noise-cancelling headphones free of charge. You will find them at the festival box offices (at the entrance to the Helios cinema and in front of the entrance to Kino Pałacowe);

remember to choose seats close to the exit if you or the people you are attending with might need to leave during the screening;

some films contain content that may be difficult or sensitive. Click the ‘Sensitive content’ link to open the file and check which sensitive content appears in this film;

click: Architectural accessibility of the Helios cinema to learn more about the layout of both the cinema and Posnania, and how to move around them;

click: Architectural accessibility of Kino Pałacowe to learn more about the layout of the cinema and CK Zamek, and how to move around them;

Festival accessibility coordinator:
Marta Maksimowicz
tel. 884 936 747
email: dostepnosc@csdpoznan.pl

Larp