The 2nd Annual Bitcoin FilmFest in Warsaw coincided with the bitcoin halving at block 840,000, an important event where the rewards for mining bitcoin are cut in half. This European Halving Party celebrated cinematic achievements while illustrating the close ties between money, technology, and sustainability.
Set against the historical backdrop of Warsaw, a city symbolic of resilience and renewal, the festival provided filmmakers and artists a platform to question the conventional boundaries of money and authority.
The festival’s highlight was “Dirty Coin,” a documentary that won Best Movie for exploring how bitcoin mining is using stranded and wasted energy to build renewable infrastructure. This film’s premiere took place on the day of the bitcoin halving, which added to its impact.
It concluded with a tribute to Len Sassaman, who was also featured in “Searching For Satoshi”, a documentary screened at the festival about the disappearance of bitcoin’s inventor, Satoshi Nakamoto. “Searching For Satoshi” won the Short Story Award and investigated the mystery surrounding Satoshi’s identity and disappearance but also reflected on the profound implications of his anonymity. Through interviews and recounts of bitcoin’s history, the documentary uncovered how Satoshi’s foundational ideas continue to influence the evolution of digital currency and test traditional notions of authority and control.
MadMunky from the 2140 Art Collective talked about using art to educate people about bitcoin. His work connects the cypherpunks’ early ideas about digital cash to bitcoin principles. Roger 9000’s “Choco Alchemy” workshop fused chocolate-making with bitcoin, teaching the craft while discussing the mythology of both bitcoin and cacao.
As part of the Festival, there were talks about the parallels between bitcoin and psychedelics, both seen as tools that challenge foundational systems. Bitcoin
Bitcoin
Ioni Appelberg described bitcoin as “an economical psychedelic,” linking the cognitive liberation that psychedelics provide with the financial liberation that bitcoin promises. Together, these tools enhance creativity and problem-solving and prompt a critical reevaluation of authority and control within societal structures. Closing the session, Monika Burra led a meditation, uniting the themes of the discussion by saying, “This is a meditation where we connect love, peace, and bitcoin.”
A documentary teaser at the end of the festival was a bonus feature introduced, ‘After It’s Said’ by Ace & Sed. Due for release in December 2024, this documentary explores the intersection of the internet, language, and human rights. It looks at how AI, bitcoin, identity, and encryption will play crucial roles in shaping our communications and safeguarding our future.
Warsaw’s poignant history—its near-total destruction in WWII and subsequent reconstruction—provided a powerful backdrop for the festival. The discussions about sound money not only highlighted bitcoin’s potential to reshape global economics but also suggested that by adopting hard money, it could make costly wars less feasible.
This unique event introduced a new way to educate about bitcoin. As we anticipate BTC Prague, Bitcoin Nashville, and Riga Bitcoin Week, the Bitcoin FilmFest stands out for its novel approach to bitcoin education, embracing a renaissance through film, art, and culture.
