EXCLUSIVE: Three-time Oscar nominated Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland is in the running for an Academy Award once again with biopic Franz exploring the life of enigmatic Czech writer Franz Kafka, which is Poland’s entry this year.
Cohen Media Group, which we announced last week had acquired U.S. rights for the film, is gearing up for a one-week qualifying theatrical run in December, ahead of a wider release in 2026, and Deadline can reveal the trailer.
Idan Weiss stars as the The Metamorphosis and The Trial author alongside a cast also featuring Peter Kurth, Jenovéfa Boková, Ivan Trojan, and Sandra Korzeniak.
Conceived as a kaleidoscopic mosaic spanning from Kafka’s birth in 19th-century Prague to his death in post–World War I Vienna, Holland’s film captures both the man and the myth, revealing the writer’s creative vision, alienation, and lasting cultural imprint.
Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Franz has also played at San Sebastian, Rio de Janeiro, Busan, Vancouver, Chicago, Woodstock and will also be playing at Newport Beach, Denver, and Cairo.
The film is lead produced by Sarka Cimbalova and Holland, and co-produced by Marcin Wierzchosławski, Alicja Jagodzińska, Uwe Schott, and Jorgo Narjes with Mike Downey and Jeff Field serving as Executive Producers.
Holland was previously nominated for for Angry Harvest (1985), Europa Europa (1990), and In Darkness (2012) with other features including Olivier, Olivier (1992), The Secret Garden (1993), Total Eclipse (1995), Julie Walking Home (2001), Spoor (2017), Mr. Jones (2019), Charlatan (2020), and the Venice Jury Prize winner Green Border (2023).
The post ‘Franz’ Trailer: Agnieszka Holland Explores Enigmatic Literary Icon Franz Kafka In Polish Oscar Entry appeared first on Deadline.
