The Queen and the Smokehouse - True/False Film Fest
True/False Film Fest March 5-8, 2026 at Columbia, MO

The Queen and the Smokehouse

In Ɓeba, Poland, Miecia, lovingly referred to as the “Queen,” serves legendary fish, revealing the quiet power of locally owned institutions.
Director: Iga Lis
Runtime: 65
Fest Year: 2026
Every summer the sunny seaside beach destination of Ɓeba, Poland, receives around 800,000 visitors. Many make a point to stop at Mieci’s Smokehouse, a smoked fish stand owned and operated for the past 40 years by Miecia, the hard-working and diligent “Queen of Ɓeba.” Director Iga Lis’ charming feature debut follows Miecia as she devotes herself to running the stand and managing her small, tight-knit group of employees while pondering her life and legacy. This witty observational portrait captures a woman doing her best to balance the roles of entrepreneur, mother, grandmother, friend, and mentor while also striving to look after her business and personal needs. (MS)