Jan Holoubek was born in Warsaw, Poland, where he developed an early passion for visual storytelling. He pursued his education at the Cinematography Department of the renowned Lodz Film School, one of Europe's leading film institutions. During his studies and early career, Holoubek honed his craft under the guidance of two of Poland's most celebrated cinematographers, Edward Klosinski and Witold Sobocinski, whose influence shaped his distinctive visual style. Beginning his professional career as a director of photography in 2003, Holoubek spent fifteen years working behind the camera on feature films, television productions, and commercials. During this period, he collaborated with some of Poland's most distinguished filmmakers, including Juliusz Machulski, Krzysztof Zanussi, Jerzy Stuhr, and Krystyna Janda. His work as a cinematographer earned him recognition within the industry, and in 2011, he became a member of the Polish Society of Cinematographers. Holoubek's transition to directing began with his documentary debut in 2007. His subsequent mockumentary explored themes of absurdity in Polish society, demonstrating his versatility as a storyteller. His major breakthrough came when he co-created a critically acclaimed crime series for Netflix with screenwriter Kasper Bajon. The series, set in a small Polish town during different historical periods, became a cultural phenomenon in Poland and earned numerous accolades, including the Polish Film Award for Best Drama Series. His directorial debut in feature films premiered in 2020 and became one of the most awarded Polish films of that year, garnering over thirty awards domestically and internationally. The film's success established Holoubek as a major new voice in Polish cinema and earned him recognition at prestigious festivals including Gdynia and Camerimage. He continued his successful collaboration with Netflix on a disaster series in 2022, which became a global hit, reaching number one among non-English titles on the platform within two weeks of release. In 2023, Holoubek presented his psychological thriller at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, where it received multiple awards including Best Director. He has since continued working on both series and feature films, exploring diverse genres while maintaining his signature visual style and focus on Polish history and contemporary social issues. Throughout his career, Holoubek has demonstrated a unique ability to combine compelling narratives with striking cinematography, drawing on his extensive experience behind the camera.
