MAIN COMPETITION “MAKING THE ROAD” – Andrzej Wajda Krakow Film Award in the amount of $25,000
LAUREATE: “Power Alley”, dir. Lillah Halla
NOMINATED:
· “78 days”, dir. Emilija Gašić
· “Empty Nets”, dir. Behrooz Karamizade
· “Forever-Forever”, dir. Anna Buryachkova
· “Paradise is Burning”, dir. Mike Gustafson
· “She Came at Night”, dir. Jan Vejnar, Tomáš Pavliček
· “Silent Roar”, dir. Johnny Barrington
· “The Hypnosis”, dir. Ernst De Geer
· “The Quiet Maid”, dir. Miguel Faus
· “As Much as Nothing”, dir. Grzegorz Dębowski
Justification of the jury composed of Andrzej Seweryn, Christopher Hampton, Alise Gelze: For breaking social and cultural taboos in a brave way that truly “paves the way” for both the main character and the director herself. The Andrzej Wajda Krakow Film Award Mastercard OFF CAMERA 2024 goes to Lilli Halla for the film “Power Alley”.
POLISH FEATURE FILM COMPETITION – Dominika Kulczyk & dFlights Award in the amount of PLN 100,000
WINNER: “Imago”, directed by Olga Chajdas
NOMINATED:
· “Blazny”, dir. Gabriela Muskała
· “If you want peace, prepare for war”, dir. Agnieszka Elbanowska
· “Doppelgänger. Doppelgänger”, dir. Jan Holoubek
· “Kos”, dir. Paweł Maślona
· “Fear”, dir. Sławomir Fabicki
· “White Courage”, dir. Marcin Koszałka
· “Quack”, dir. Michal Gazda
· “Horror Story”, dir. Adrian Apanel
· “Mushrooms”, dir. Paweł Borowski
Justification of the jury composition Kate Rhodes James, Lenka Tyrpákova, Isabel Lamberti, Michael O'Connor: The winning film is shocking and makes bold creative choices. The main acting is outstanding and crucial to the success of the film. The best film of the Polish Feature Film Competition is “Imago”.
FEMALE VOICE AWARD – A prize of PLN 50,000 funded by Bank BNP Paribas and Mastercard
WINNER: Monika Sobień-Górskascreenwriter – “Fear”
NOMINATED:
- Olga Chajdasdirector, screenwriter – “Imago”
- Agnieszka Elbanowskadirector, screenwriter – “If you want peace, prepare for war”
- Monika Sobień-Górskascreenwriter – “Fear”
- Magdalena Kamińska, Agata Szymańska, producers – “White Courage”
Justification: This award was given to a debuting screenwriter who created an authentic and moving relationship between two sisters. The script showed themes rarely shown on screen. The jury really wants to support the winner to continue her path, because her “female voice” is needed. She is the winner of the award Monika Sobień-Górska.
The Female Voice Award for Women in Film is awarded to exceptionally talented women who are actively involved in the Polish film industry on a daily basis. They are ambitious, creative and effective. The distinction aims to support women in realizing their artistic projects and professional plans in the highly masculinized world of cinema.
AWARD FOR THE BEST ACTRESS OF THE POLISH FEATURE FILM COMPETITION – Prize partner: Apart.pl / Albert Riele (prize: Albert Riele watch and PLN 10,000)
WINNERS: Magdalena Cielecka and Marta Nieradkiewicz for their roles in the film “Fear”
NOMINATED:
- Magdalena Cielecka, for her role in the film “Fear”
- Sandra Drzymalska, for her role in the film “White Courage”
- Lena Góra, for her role in the film “Imago”
- Maria Maj, for her role in the film “Mushrooms”
- Marta Nieradkiewicz, for her role in the film “Fear”
Justification: The jury decided to award this award for creations that would not exist without each other. The jurors never doubted for a moment the absolute sacrifice and sisterly love we see on the screen. This year the award for best actress was awarded to… two actresses, Magdalena Cielecka and Marta Nieradkiewicz for the film “Fear”.
AWARD FOR THE BEST ACTOR OF THE POLISH FEATURE FILM COMPETITION – Prize partner: realme (material prize and PLN 10,000)
LAUREATE: Jakub Zając, for his role in the film “Horror Story”
NOMINATED:
- Bartosz Bielenia, for his role in the film “Kos”
- Leszek Lichota, for his role in the film “Quack”
- Filip Pławiak, for his role in the film “White Courage”
- Michał Sikorski, for his role in the film “You want peace, get ready for war”
- Jakub Zając, for his role in the film “Horror Story”
Justification: This acting was wonderful, touching, confident, but also delicate and comedic, and above all, very, very funny. The winner of the award for best actor is Jakub Zając for his performance in the film “Horror Story”.
MASTERCARD RISING STAR (best acting debut in a feature-length film) – Award partner: Mastercard (prize: PLN 10,000)
WINNER: Magdalena Dwarzyńska, for her role in the film “Błazny”
NOMINATED:
- Sebastian Dela, for his role in the film “Blazny”
- Magdalena Dwarzyńska, for her role in the film “Błazny”
- Jędrzej Bigosiński, for his role in the film “Mushrooms
Justification: The winning acting is complex and very convincing. The Mastercard Rising Star award was given to an actress playing… an actress who has a great future ahead of her. This Magdalena Dwarzyńska.
AUDIENCE AWARD – Prize partner: Bank BNP Paribas (prize: PLN 10,000)
LAUREATE: “Fear”, dir. Sławomir Fabicki
FIPRESCI AWARD
LAUREATE: “As Much as Nothing”, dir. Grzegorz Dębowski
Justification: For a universal message, an empathetic look at the problems of the Polish countryside with which viewers around the world can identify, a skillful play with film genres, and finally for the excellent, multidimensional role of Artur Paczesny, which should become a ticket to a great screen career. The jury awarded the FIPRESCI Award to the film “Tyle co nic”.
The award is granted by the International Federation of Film Critics FIPRESCI (Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique) – an organization associating film critics from over 50 countries around the world and awarding awards at the best film festivals.
AWARD OF THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCERS KIPA
WINNERS: Piotr Grawender and Maciej Hamel for the production of the film “From Where to?”
The value of the main prize is PLN 45,000 and its founders are Veles Productions, the Przybecki i Partnerzy law firm and the KIPA Management Board.
The prize includes:
· A voucher from the Veles Productions virtual production studio for a shooting day of the producer's next project at the Veles Productions studio in Warsaw (PLN 40,000).
· Legal services of the Przybecki i Partnerzy Law Firm (PLN 3,000)
· Financial award from the KIPA Management Board (PLN 2,000)
Justification: When awarding the award, the jury emphasizes that: “From Where to Where” poignantly shows human tenacity in the face of the most difficult challenges. Through the courageous production of this important documentary, the creators became a voice bringing hope and fighting for the preservation of humanism even in the darkest war times. Their determination to show the truth and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity makes “From Where to Where” not only moving, but also inspiring to act and reflect on the values that define our community as people. This is an extraordinary challenge for debuting producers.
DISTINCTION
The jury decided to award Maria Kraus for the production of the film “Twarze Agata”.
This award includes a week-long stay for the producer and the production team at No Drama House, where they will be able to develop a new project. The founder of the award is No Drama Production.
Justification: When awarding the distinction, the jury emphasizes that “Agata's Faces” is an extremely moving and deeply human film whose producer brings not only artistic talent, but also heart and commitment to every stage of production. Her determination to convey Agatha's story, her struggle and triumph, gives a ray of hope. Thanks to her sensitivity and empathy, viewers have the opportunity to delve into the heroine's world, discovering new layers of compassion and understanding of the human experience. The producer of “Agata's Face” not only created the film, but also gave us the gift of a joint journey through life, filled with emotion, reflection and hope.
#63SECONDS
Main organizer: Warsaw Uprising Museum
WINNERS:
Main prize 1st place, PLN 10,000 (Grand Prix statuette) – Aleksander Szeląg for the film “Loneliness”
2nd place, PLN 2,000 – Rafał Cieszyński for the film “Helping Hand”
3rd place, PLN 1,000 – Milena Sikora for the film “Soup”
#63PL film competition seconds is aimed at young people aged 15 to 22. This year, participants had to answer the question – “What is invisible, yet important”. The works could be created in any audiovisual technique, but could not be longer than 63 seconds.