Indo-Polish Animated Co-Production *Quo Vadis* Premieres in Poland, Trailer Debuts at MIPCOM

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Indian filmmaker Sukankan Roy and Polish TV channel Polonico TV have brought the classic novel 'Quo Vadis' to life as a 3D animated feature film. This joint effort, animated by India’s Ssoftoons, is an adaptation of Henryk Sienkiewicz’s Nobel Prize-winning historical novel, now set to reach a new generation of viewers. 

The film premiered on October 25 in Warsaw, Poland, in a grand celebration of Indo-Polish cinematic ties. And if the premiere wasn’t enough, the trailer also dropped at MIPCOM 2024, creating an international buzz around this project. With a release in over 200 Polish theaters, 'Quo Vadis' marks the seventh film adaptation of this cherished story, and it's the first time it has been presented as a 3D animated feature.

Set in ancient Rome, the story follows Marcus Vinicius, a young Roman noble, who falls for Lygia, a "barbarian" hostage raised in the house of the retired general Aulus Plautius. His uncle Petronius, using his connections with Emperor Nero, tries to bring Lygia into Marcus’ life—though the task is anything but simple.

Polonico TV’s CEO, Anira Wojan, passionately led the project, envisioning a way to tell this timeless love story through animation. Wojan, keen on finding the perfect production partner, found herself drawn to the talent pool in India. “European animation funding often depends on public sources,” she explained, “which can limit flexibility and timelines. With Sukankan Roy, we found the perfect co-director and production partner to make this dream a reality.”

With this collaboration, 'Quo Vadis' brings to life a cross-cultural story, blending Polish literature with Indian animation mastery. This might just be the beginning of a new wave of Indo-European storytelling.                                                                                  

Sukankan Roy and Anira Wojan 

The India-Poland animated co-production 'Quo Vadis' has drawn high praise from both filmmakers and officials, marking a major step in international film partnerships. Vrunda Manohar Desai, Joint Secretary of India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, spoke about this landmark project as the first official Indo-Polish animation collaboration under the ministry's treaty. She noted, "Quo Vadis" demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to fostering global co-productions. Over the past two years, we’ve seen a surge in such projects, with over ten co-productions approved—including animation.”

This isn’t just another animated feature—it’s a cultural bridge, blending the best of both nations’ storytelling strengths and talent. Sukankan Roy, one of the co-directors and the creative mind behind the Indian side of the project, expressed his deep personal connection to 'Quo Vadis' : “As an avid reader, I knew the story even back in Kolkata. Bringing it to life with Anira as co-director allowed us to capture the complexities of ancient Roman society and the subtle introduction of Christianity that made the original so powerful.”

The film’s journey was supported by India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, with a shared goal of promoting cross-cultural projects and amplifying Indian animation on the global stage. Roy couldn’t be prouder that this entirely Indian-made film has reached audiences across Poland, and he’s eager for the rest of the world to experience it too. With 'Quo Vadis'India and Poland are showing just what can be accomplished through creative cooperation—and this is just the beginning. 

          A still from Quo Vadis 

'Quo Vadis', set in the turbulent period of early Christianity under Emperor Nero, goes beyond its historical roots to tell a universal story of God’s love—a message that resonates across faiths. Test screenings of the animated film showed that viewers from all backgrounds found something powerful and relevant in its story. As one viewer put it, “Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu, there’s something here for everyone, because God is the Father of each of us.”

To bring this timeless story to life, the filmmakers enlisted the talents of Oliwia Kossakowska, the CEO of Mobipictures UK and a bold creative mind representing a new generation. She joined the team as the art and creative director, bringing a fresh perspective to the visual style of *Quo Vadis*. Tasked with developing a unique blend of gaming elements, VR realism, and classic cinematic techniques, Kossakowska gave the film a look that’s both immersive and forward-thinking.

Kossakowska’s dedication to detail is impressive. “I reviewed everything again and again,” she shared, laughing, “from antique socks to the color of oleanders in May. In this line of work, don’t be lazy—that’s my first professional commandment! There’s no time to look in the mirror with a project of this scale.” Her second rule? “Don’t be a copycat. Finding the right way to create a new animation style that aligns with what modern audiences expect is as revolutionary as the first flipbook.”

With this attention to detail and commitment to innovation, 'Quo Vadis' is set to make waves not only as an artistic achievement but also as a universal tale of love and faith, reimagined for today’s audience. 

Ssoftoons team

To achieve the vision of a modern animation for 'Quo Vadis', Indian filmmaker Sukankan Roy collaborated with Kolkata-based studio Ssoftoons. Under the leadership of COO Hansa Mondal, Ssoftoons dove into the challenge with limited time, given less than a year to complete the ambitious project. Mondal expressed pride in the studio’s achievement, saying, “Bringing 'Quo Vadis' to life has been incredibly rewarding. The team’s dedication, creativity, and sheer hard work made it all possible. As *Quo Vadis* finds its audience, we’re hopeful it will resonate as deeply with viewers as it did with us. We’re so grateful to everyone who supported this journey!”

Co-director Anira Wojan added her own inspiration behind the team’s impressive timeline, quoting Walt Disney: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Adding to the film’s appeal is a fantastic lineup of well-known Polish voice actors, including Michal Milowicz, Malgorzata Kozuchowska, and Michal Koterski, who all attended the recent premiere in Warsaw. With its setting in ancient Rome, 'Quo Vadis' was crafted as a family-friendly experience that caters to this season’s cultural calendar, making it both accessible and meaningful for parents and children alike. It’s entertainment with heart, leaving audiences with a message that lingers long after the credits roll.

A still from Quo Vadis

The storytelling in 'Quo Vadis' is a rich tapestry of genres, blending historical drama with musical elements. This isn’t just any animated feature—the film weaves in original songs across pop, rap, country, and elegy, creating an immersive experience for audiences. The musical score, composed by the talented French-British musician Fabien Curtis, is inspired by epic Hollywood classics like 'Spartacus', 'Ben-Hur', and 'Cleopatra', adding a grand, cinematic feel to the production.

While Anira Wojan and Oliwia Kossakowska led the creative vision, it was director and producer Sukankan Roy who helped transform that vision into reality. Roy’s vast experience and passion set the tone for the project, and his efforts have brought 'Quo Vadis' to an international premium market with high standards. Known for his meticulous attention to quality, Roy is already generating excitement for his future projects.

Roy’s impressive background in animation spans 25 years, with a deep foundation in both Indian and Canadian animation academia. His career includes animated series and feature films across languages like English, Hindi, German, Russian, and Arabic, which have reached audiences on various global TV platforms. His critically acclaimed film *Sound of Joy* won him the highest honor at India’s 62nd National Film Awards, securing both Best Animation Film and Best Director. Roy’s award-winning legacy also includes accolades from the Cairo International Film Festival for Children, Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, and International Children’s Film Festival India, highlighting his consistent excellence.

The production collaboration also extended to Polonico TV, a Polish channel known for programming focused on history, culture, blockchain, finance, and current events. Indian animation studio Ssoftoons, with its offices in Mumbai and Kolkata, provided a full suite of animation services from concept to screen in both 2D and 3D. With this powerhouse team, *Quo Vadis* represents a remarkable milestone in Indo-Polish cinematic partnerships, combining the best of both countries' talents in a project that transcends borders and genres.