The Polish media landscape mourns the loss of Ryszard Sibilski, a highly influential figure who shaped the course of Polish television and film for over three decades. He passed away at the age of 69, as announced by his wife, vocalist Ewa Bem, and daughter Gabriella on Facebook.
Sibilski's career journey began far from the entertainment world. Initially a translator working across Africa, he later transitioned to the Polish Jazz Association. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish ITI Cinema in the early 1990s, a film distribution company securing exclusive rights from major US studios including Warner Brothers, Universal, Paramount, MGM, and Columbia. This laid the foundation for his future success in the burgeoning media industry.
A key moment in his career came in 1998 with his involvement in the launch of TVN, a significant player in Polish broadcasting, now a part of Warner Bros Discovery. His contributions were instrumental in shaping the channel's early growth and success.
From 2006 to 2023, Sibilski held the position of managing director at Endemol Shine Poland, a global leader in scripted and unscripted content. His expertise and leadership further solidified his position as a prominent figure in the Polish entertainment landscape.
Most recently, he served as managing director at Jake Vision, overseeing the Polish production of "Dancing with the Stars". His passing leaves a void in the industry, but his contributions and legacy will be remembered for years to come.