Sylwia was born in Poland, in the Voïvodie area in Podlasie, where she spent most of her childhood. She arrived in Belgium with her parents in the year 1995. From the age of 12 to 16 she took part in the art programme at the Art Academy of Uccle. She decided to follow this new path and started studying Arts de l'image at Saint-Luc High School. She eventually met Gwendoline Gamboa during this period, and together they got into La Cambre where they co-directed The slug and the snails.