Zenon Wasilewski

Directing•Born October 30, 1903•Died April 20, 1966 (age 62)•Sosnowiec, Poland, Russian Empire [now Sosnowiec, Slaskie, Poland]

Biography

Zenon Wasilewski (October 30, 1903 – April 20, 1966) was a pioneer of Polish puppet animation. Painter, photographer, creator of the first post-war puppet film "Za króla Krakusa" (In the Time of King Krakus; 1947). He initiated the creation of the Puppet Film Department at the Łódź Film Festival, which was the origin of Se-Ma-For. He was also a co-founder of the Polish school of animation. In 1975, an award was established in his honor, recognizing the creators of the best animated films for children.