Hristo Simeonov’s film “Nina” won the Main Prize of the 15th ZUBROFFKA

Hristo Simeonov’s film “Nina” won the Main Prize of the 15th ZUBROFFKA International Short Film Festival!

The 15th edition of ZUBROFFKA International Short Film Festival came to an end in Białystok. The festival, that had always been taking place in December, because of the pandemic was rescheduled half a year and took place on June 9-13, 2021.

This year’s edition for the first time took place in a hybrid form – the audience could watch all competing movies free of charge both at real-life location (Forum cinema or Fama club) and online, thanks to the MOJEeKINO.pl platform.

126 movies chosen from over 3,500 submissions from all over the world competed for prizes in 8 competitions.

The Main Jury consisting of: Małgorzata Goliszewska, Ewa Borysewicz, Piotr Dylewski, Ville Jankeri and Matej Bobrik awarded the following prizes:

The Main Prize of ŻUBROFFKA 2021 Festival – the prize of the Białystok Cultural Center’s Director of PLN 12,000 was awarded to the film NINA dir. Hristo Simeonov, Bulgaria 2019

Jury’s reasons: The whole jury fell in love with this excellently crafted film. Young and promising main actor lead the way and next time we are pickpocketed we can have some comfort thinking it was her.

The first prize in the EASTWARD WINDOW international competition of PLN 3,000 was awarded to the film DEEP LOVE / KOHANNIA dir. Mykyta Lyskov, Ukraine 2019

Jury’s reasons: For the tragicomic, absurd combination of situations and characters, and for the intriguing diagnosis of the post-Communist society.

The honorable mention in the EASTWARD WINDOW international competition was awarded to the film HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION dir. Zhannat Alshanova, Kazakhstan 2020

Jury’s reasons: This gem of a film tells a touching story of what we leave behind when moving abroad. Subtle storytelling, great acting and beautifully shot.

The first prize in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD international competition of PLN 3,000 was awarded to the film NO VACANCY / NO HAY LUGAR dir. Daniel Katz, Argentina 2019

Jury’s reasons: For random and important words in a world where there is no dialogue between father and son.

The honorable mention in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD international competition was awarded to the film SOUVENIR SOUVENIR dir. Bastien Dubois, France 2020

Jury’s reasons: Powerful animation documentary about the French war in Algeria. Well written real story with a great mix of beautiful animation techniques.

The first prize in the ANIMATION.PL national competition of PLN 3,000 was awarded to the film JESTEM TUTAJ / I’M HERE dir. Julia Orlik, Poland 2020

Jury’s reasons: We appreciate that the young artist touched the most difficult subject in a wise, warm and gentle way, and at the same time raw, simple and frugal in its form. Thank you for reminding us that the most precious thing we can give each other as human beings is simply pure presence.

The honorable mention in the ANIMATION.PL national competition was awarded to the film WE HAVE ONE HEART dir. Katarzyna Warzecha, Poland 2020

Jury’s reasons: For telling the story written between the letters in a fresh, original and universal way. For the unique combination of documentary and animation that touched our hearts.

The first prize in the FICTION.PL national competition of PLN 3,000 was awarded to the film DALEJ JEST DZIEŃ / BEYOND IS THE DAY dir. Damian Kocur, Poland 2020

Jury’s reasons: For a reminder that closeness can be found everywhere.

The first prize in the DOCUMENTARY.PL national competition of PLN 3,000 was awarded to the film TROCHĘ RAJU / A LITTLE BIT OF PARADISE dir. Andrzej Cichocki, Poland 2020

Jury’s reasons: For the author’s sensitivity to find beauty where we usually do not see it.

The honorable mention in the DOCUMENTARY.PL national competition was awarded to the film OPOWIEŚĆ O DWÓCH SIOSTRACH / A TALE OF TWO SISTERS dir. Jakub Prysak, Poland 2020

Jury’s reasons: For the careful observation of small matters of whose beauty we often forget about. For stories about apparently great differences and about the power of sisterly love.

The prize for the Best Documentary (PLN 3,000) was awarded to the film JUST A GUY dir. Shoko Hara, Germany 2020

Jury’ reasons: A visually hypnotizing story full of wild imagination, yet telling about the most real world frightening in its authenticity. The courage and creativity of the director and the openness of her protagonists allow the viewer to expand the boundaries of empathy and understanding, reminding that the basis of all human actions is simply the need to be loved.

The prize for the Short Fiction (PLN 3,000) was awarded to the film DUMMY / ATKURIMAS dir. Laurynas Bareiša, Lithuania 2020

Jury’s reasons: For subtly creating a seemingly unemotional situation that makes us experience the banality of evil.

The prize for the Best Animation (PLN 3,000) was awarded to the film TO THE DUSTY SEA / A LA MER POUSSIERE dir. Héloise Ferlay, France 2020

Jury’s reasons: A real stand out across all sections in animation genre for its craft, approach to its technique and pulling off an emotional & immersive journey of lead characters

The prize for the Best Cinematography (PLN 3,000) was awarded to the film SING FOR US / ZAZPÍVEJ dir. Terézia Halamová, DoP: Lubomír Ballek, Czechia 2020

Jury’s reasons: For filling each shot with the magical energy of adolescence. For bringing back feelings of the first infatuation.

The prize for the Best Soundtrack (PLN 3,000) was awarded to the film POSTCARDS FROM THE END OF THE WORLD dir. Konstantinos Antonopoulos, music: Larry Gus, Greece 2019

Jury’s reasons: Excellent film which at the same time makes you to want to go to holiday on the beach and absolutely not. Funny and thoughtful.

The Jury of the ON THE EDGE – experiment and video-art competition consisting of: Olga Bobrowska, Piotr Mirski and Post Brothers awarded the following prizes:

The first prize of PLN 3,000 to the film SHIVERING WALL dir. Tseng Yu Chin, Taiwan 2019

Jury’s reasons: In a response to the specificity of the programme “On The Edge” we searched for a work that transcends video media while also testing its parameters, codes, and conventions. And we found the one that asks questions of consent, free will, and hedonism, while also building very mesmerising cinematic experience with perfect combination of still images and echo of a lost vitality. For provoking thoughts on zombification of collective identity.

The honorable mention to the film MY GALACTIC TWIN GALACTION reż. Sasha Svirsky, Rosja 2020

Jury’s reasons: A playful work-in-progress that mocks the very idea of narration turns out to provide complex yet unpretentious philosophical freestyle on reality in flux extending or reducing your own perception of yourself.

THE WILD BISON AWARD – THE AUDIENCE AWARD of the 2021 ŻUBROFFKA International Short Film Festival of PLN 7,000 funded by DrTusz was awarded to the film OPOWIEŚĆ O DWÓCH SIOSTRACH / A TALE OF TWO SISTERS dir. Jakub Prysak, Poland 2020

The prize in the Music Video competition of PLN 3,000 was awarded with the audience votes to the film PINK NOISE: TOO HOT, dir. Kim Chapiron, France 2019

The prizes in KIDS competition of PLN 3,000 were awarded in three categories:

KIDS 6+ to the film HE dir. Katarzyna Radecka, Poland 2019

KIDS 10+ to the film DREAM STORE / SKLEP Z MARZENIAMI dir. Paweł Olearczyk, Poland 2020

KIDS 13+ to the film ROBERTO dir. Carmen Córdoba González, Spain 2020

The Young Jury consisting of: Diana Dąbrowska (president), Gabriela Rybołowicz, Magdalena Alifier and Maja Cieślak awarded the following prizes:

In national competitions (ANIMTION.PL, FICTION.PL, DOCUMENTARY.PL) of PLN 3,000 to the film DALEJ JEST DZIEŃ / BEYOND IS THE DAY dir. Damian Kocur, Poland 2020

Jury’s reasons:
For an insightful and moving portrait of human loneliness, obtained with the minimalism of cinematic means. On the border between feature film and documentary, the director has found a place for the most important thing – authenticity.

Honorable mention in national competitions (ANIMATION.PL, FICTION.PL, DOCUMENTARY.PL) to the film WŁASNE ŚMIECI / YOUR OWN BULLSHIT dir. Daria Kopiec, Poland 2020

Jury’s reasons: Daria Kopiec’s animation moved us with its liveliness, humor and surrealism straight from Charlie Kaufman’s films. The stylistic polyphony obtained via various techniques and voices, allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the world created by the artist – a world very dear to us.

The Jury of International Journalists consisting of: Marta Bałaga, Matej Sotník and Alin Ludu Dumbravă awarded the best Polish film (from among the films competing in ANIMATION.PL, FICTION.PL, DOCUMENTARY.PL competitions):

The prize of PLN 3,000 was awarded to the film ZEPSUTA GŁOWA / BROKEN HEAD dir. Maciej Jankowski, Poland

Jury’s reasons: For heartfelt approach towards his protagonist. For finding redemption and unexpected humour in what may seem like a hopeless place.

Honorable mention to the film JESTEM TUTAJ / I’M HERE dir. Julia Orlik, Poland

Jury’s reasons: For packing an emotional punch through the simplest of means

The Jury of Polish Journalists consisting of: Adriana Prodeus, Paweł Mączewski and Grzegorz Brzozowski awarded the best film from the international competitions (EASTWARD WINDOW and WHOLE WIDE WORLD):

The prize of PLN 3,000 to the film JUST A GUY dir. Shoko Hara, Germany 2020

Jury’s reasons: For giving viewers the opportunity to understand the point of view of women fascinated by the evil , using complex animation techniques combined with a documentary.

Honorable mention to the film DEEP LOVE / KOHANNIA dir. Mykyta Lyskov, Ukraine 2019

Jury’s reasons: For his lively expression and erudition in showing the socio-political changes in Ukraine. For discovering eroticism in the most unexpected situations.

New Europe Talent Award – a trip to the Berlin Film Festival for the most promising artist from Central and Eastern Europe taking part in ŻUBROFFKA competitions, funded by New Europe Film Sales to the film SING FOR US / ZAZPÍVEJ dir. Terézia Halamová, Czechia 2020

The festival is organized by the Białystok Culture Center – “GAG” Film Discussion Club.

It was funded by the City of Białystok with the support of the Polish Film Institute.