My Duduś

Tom Krawczyk

My Duduś follows a Polish mother with empty nest syndrome as she raises a baby squirrel.

Tom Krawczyk is a Chicago/Poland based photographer and filmmaker. He lived in South Korea for 2 years, teaching English to students and working on documentaries. His photographs have been painted as murals in the bustling neighborhood of Hongdae, South Korea and displayed as billboards in Hong Kong. He lived in India, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Myanmar; working as a photographer instructor for an adventure program for students from around the world. He’s a Missouri Photo Workshop 2017 alumni. His most recent photo project Awaiting Your Reply was accepted as one of 100 projects from across Europe, Middle East and Africa to take part in the Canon Student Development Program. The project was also the runner up for the Prism Photo Workshop Grant. His debut directorial short documentary film My Duduś has screened at film festivals like SXSW, San Francisco and Seattle International Film Festival. It won the audience award at Chicago Critics and Salute Your Shorts Film Festival. It received honorable mention at the Calgary International Film Festival and won Best Director for Documentary Short at Atlanta Docufest.In 2022, he graduated from the Łódź Film School in Poland with an MFA in photography. He is now a local 600 unit still photographer.

Nick J. Santore is a producer with a focus on coming-of-age films; most notably the documentary NICK SANTORE, examining his own father-son relationship. His latest film MY DUDUŚ is distributed on The New York Times and PBS and was recognized as a top short documentary by The Hollywood Reporter.

Colin Santangelo began making films with his dad’s Hi-8 camera in the farm fields of rural Pennsylvania, editing together footage captured with the enlisted help of friends and family. After obtaining a film degree, he set his sights on Chicago, where he grew from eager coffee runner to eager editor. During his decade-long stint in the midwest, he worked at post-production companies, studios, and agencies, helping to create documentaries, broadcast spots, TV shows and branded content, before striking out on his own. Realizing his capabilities extended beyond the editor’s seat, he began to broaden his involvement into other creative avenues. Notable achievements include: leading the post production team on MotorTrend’s Garage Squad, serving as writer and editor of the NYT & PBS featured short documentary My Dudus (SXSW, SIFF, Big Sky, SFFilm), providing voiceover for brands such as: EGO Power +, Fireball Whisky and Skilsaw, and playing toy Skeletor in Rocket Mortgage’s Super Bowl LVI commercial Dream House.

“”My Duduś” isn’t just a film about a squirrel; it’s a heartfelt exploration of the deep connections between humans and animals, tackling loneliness and meaningful bonds. Hesitant initially, I picked up the camera when I witnessed the transformative power of engaging with the natural world through Duduś. Filming Duduś, my mother’s evolving bond presented challenges, but it became a dynamic reflection of their relationship. The film seamlessly intertwined with my exploration of my mother’s life and themes of loneliness and sacrifice. “My Duduś” highlights the therapeutic impact animals can have, fostering connections and alleviating loneliness. Duduś, more than a wild animal, brought joy and purpose to my family. For aspiring filmmakers, my advice is simple: just shoot. Stories unfold unexpectedly, and even if the narrative isn’t immediately clear, footage can be crafted into a compelling piece. Duduś bid farewell last summer, expressing gratitude for the love and care. Now roaming the wild, Duduś symbolizes the film’s message – the beauty of letting go and allowing creatures to find their place in the world. “My Duduś” is more than a documentary; it’s a celebration of profound connections enriching both human and animal lives.”

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