THE HEART OF THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION
The Final Gala of this edition of our contest will be held in the city of Łódź — a city of contrasts, where history meets modernity. Known for its industrial heritage, today Łódź stands out for its dynamic cultural scene, architecture, and art. Many of this year’s partners and patron organisations, such as Młodzi w Łodzi, Łódź Kreuje, Łódzkie Towarzystwo Fotograficzne, and the University of Łódź, are also based in the city, making it the epicentre of this year’s competition.
STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
The heart of this year’s competition is a city that today is home to many students. Łódź offers numerous opportunities for growth, which makes it attractive to young people. The city is especially renowned for its high-quality education in creative fields such as cinema, arts, and fashion.
Łódź is a popular choice among students, and prospective applicants have plenty of options. Currently, there are 27 universities in the Łódź Voivodeship. In the city itself, there are 6 public universities and 19 non-public educational institutions. According to the Perspektywy ranking — one of the largest educational rankings in Poland — five universities in Łódź have been recognised among the country’s best in 2025. These include Łódź Medical University, Łódź University of Technology, the University of Social Sciences (Społeczna Akademia Nauk), and the University of Humanities and Economics in Łódź (Akademia Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna).
Łódź University of Technology, as well as the University of Łódź, are partner universities of this year’s edition. With over 20,000 students, the University of Łódź is one of the largest and most respected institutions in Poland. It offers a wide range of study programmes and is particularly known for fields such as psychology, forensic biology, and English philology, which attract a high number of applicants each year.
Both universities are highly regarded in national rankings and host local Erasmus Student Network sections — ESN UŁ and ESN-EYE — which actively support international students. Additionally, they offer student dormitories, making accommodation in such a dynamic city as Łódź more accessible.
It is also worth noting that Łódź can be considered the film capital of Poland. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Łódź Film School is among the 15 best film academies in the world. Famous Polish filmmakers such as Roman Polański and Andrzej Wajda graduated from this institution.
The number of students studying in Łódź exceeds 68,000, including over 5,500 international students. The city is also one of the most popular Erasmus destinations in Poland, welcoming around 1,000 exchange students each year. In 2025, Łódż was one of the five finalists of the Erasmus Destination of The Year, an annual contest organised by the Erasmus Student Network organisation on the international level.
WHY ŁÓDŹ?
The city’s popularity among students is also due to its convenient location. Situated in central Poland, Łódź is only 120 km away from the capital, Warsaw. Commuting to other major cities is easy thanks to numerous railway connections, including those from Łódź Kaliska station and the Łódź Fabryczna station.
Another reason why Łódź is increasingly becoming a city of choice for students is the lower cost of living compared to other large Polish cities. The city offers a big-city atmosphere while remaining more affordable.
On top of that, Łódź is simply a pleasant place to live, especially during university times. The city offers a wide range of places to spend free time — from relaxing areas to environments that encourage self-development.
The city is home to 33 parks, making it one of the greenest cities in Poland. For those who prefer cultural forms of entertainment, it is worth noting that Łódź — being home to thousands of talented students, aspiring filmmakers, actors, and screenwriters — also hosts numerous film events. The city organises open-air cinema screenings during the summer and hosts major film festivals, such as Camerimage – the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography.
Students can end their evenings by spending time on Piotrkowska Street, also known as one of the longest commercial streets in Europe. Along Piotrkowska, one can find everything from historic tenement houses to restaurants, cafés, and nightclubs.
A city of students, filmmakers, and thousands of creative souls, the cozy and inviting spirit of Łódź continues to attract new students and visitors. The high quality of its academic environment, combined with cooperation between universities, municipal authorities, and businesses, makes Łódź not only an attractive place to study and spend university years, but also a thriving environment for career growth.
