polski
Winners of the 18th ŻUBROFFKA International Short Film Festival
THE GRAND PRIX of Bialystok Cultural Centre’s Director (PLN 10.000): TUŠINUKAS / LEFT-HANDED PEN, dir. Adas Burkšaitis, Lithuania
Jury’s reasons: For a script that holds you in suspense from beginning to end, which thickens more and more with every minute. For the masterful acting of a morally ambiguous character and for the high level of directorial skill. For turning a seemingly sensational story into a simple tale of lying for love. And for the ending in a moment that opens more than it closes.
The Wild Bison Award (Audience Award) funded by DrTusz (PLN 7.000): PIES POGRZEBANY / DOG DAYS ARE OVER, dir. Kinga Pudełek, Poland
Main Award in the Kids 6+ Competition (PLN 3.000): FALLIN’, dir. Carlos Navarro, Spain
Main Award in the Kids 10+ Competition (PLN 3.000): #DOUDOUCHALLENGE, dir. Julie Majcher, Alexandra Delaunay-Fernandez, Sixtine Emerat, Marine Benabdallah-Crolais, Scott Pardailhé-Galabrun, Noémie Segalowicz, France
Main Award in the YOUTH Competition (PLN 3.000): NA NIEBIE I NA ZIEMI / IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, dir. Yulia Yukhymets, Poland
NEW EUROPE TALENT AWARD – 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: TUŠINUKAS / LEFT-HANDED PEN, dir. Adas Burkšaitis, Lithuania
Main Award in the MUSIC VIDEO Competition (PLN 3.000): THE BLAZE: MADLY, dir. The Blaze, France
Main Award in the MIDNIGHT SHORTS Competition (PLN 3.000): MY SECRET CYBERLOVE, dir. Bartek Stankiewicz, Poland
Award of the Young Jury (PLN 3.000): PUSTE PRZESTRZENIE / VOID SPACES, dir. Marta Koch, Poland
Jury’s reasons: A moving picture – drawn in author’s signature style – of the emotional microcosm which reflects the fears and dreams of today’s young generation
Young Jury Honorable Mention: ECHO, reż. Emi Buchwald, Poland
Jury’s reasons: An intimate and austere portrait of the inner struggle which makes it possible to hear our real voices.
The jury consisting of: Marina Zigneli (Greece), Nastia Naumenko (Ukraine), Laura Pawela (Poland) decided to grant the following awards in the ON THE EDGE competition (experimental films and video-art)
Main Award in the ON THE EDGE Competition (PLN 3.000): CRAZY LOTUS, dir. Naween Noppakun, Thailand
Jury’s reasons: We give the award to Crazy Lotus because it took us on a journey of an anticlimactic spiritual awakening which delivers nothing but agony in augmented reality. It achieves that by a feverish editing and vivid visuals transmitted through a heart-shaped lens. Crazy Lotus is a nuanced and hypnotic commentary on a tech-infused future.
Honorable Mention in the ON THE EDGE Competition: GRANDMAMAUNTSISTERCAT, dir. Zuza Banasińska, Netherlands, Poland
Jury’s reasons: We believe that Grandmamauntsistercat deserves an honorable mention in this Competition as it offers an insightful re-appropriation of the archival material and a rebellious gesture towards disciplined scientific discourse.
The international journalist jury consisting of: Călin Boto (Romania), Vassilis Economou (Greece) i David Katz (England) decided to award the best Polish film (among the films participating in the Animation.pl, Fiction.pl and Documentary.pl competitions).
Award of the International Journalists (PLN 3.000): JOKO, dir. Izabela Plucińska, Poland, Czechia, Germany
Jury’s reasons: For the unsettling haptic twists of its visuals, and for being a contemporary story about exploitation and becoming one with your own exploiters, we award the prize for best polish film to Joko.
Honorable Mention of the International Journalists: CZYSTE NIEBO / CLEAR SKY, dir. Marcin Kundera, Poland
Jury’s reasons: For the bravery of its approach towards the transitory state of boy and soldier, and for its visual creativity and variety, we award the honourable mention to “Clear Sky”.
The polish journalist jury consisting of: Joanna Najbor, Igor Kierkosz and Mateusz Demski decided to award the best foreign film (entered into the Eastward Window and the Whole Wide World competitions).
Award of the Polish Journalists (PLN 3.000): SÖDER, dir. Raoul Bruck, Austria
Jury’s reasons: For the exciting transformation of familiar film motifs despite the audience’s habits; for the courage to recover strange aesthetics for cinema.
Honorable Mention of the Polish Journalists: 3MWh, dir. Marie-Magdalena Kochová, Czechia
Jury’s reasons: For ecocritical reflection presented in a concise formula that puts the power of allegory above journalistic declarations.
The Jury consisting of: Ewa Smyk (Poland), Grzegorz Dębowski (Poland), Douwe Dijkstra (The Netherlands) decided to grant the following awards:
1st Prize in the EASTWARD WINDOW Competition (PLN 3.000): RRUGËS / ON THE WAY, dir. Samir Karahoda, Kosovo
Jury’s reasons: The short road trip of a father and son forms the narrative backbone of this poignant film, exploring the differing views of two generations on their uncertain future in a beloved country stuck in a cycle of stagnation. We are proud to give the Eastward Window competition award to this skillfully crafted, powerful short film about hope and hopelessness, perseverance and resignation.
Honorable Mention in the EASTWARD WINDOW Competition: DIAMOND BEAUTY, dir. Anna Korom, Hungary
Jury’s reasons: For an incredible acting performance in a tale of loneliness, passing and the fear of not being who we want to be. For the visual consistency in building a world whose pain is all in coloured make-up. And for a story that literally gets under your skin.
1st Prize in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD Competition (PLN 3.000): NUN OR NEVER, dir. Heta Jäälinoja, Finland
Jury’s reasons: We were captivated by the humour, charming character designs and performances in this simple yet poignant story. This beautifully illustrated narrative had us giggling and had us blushing, as it reminded us of the all the naughtily little secrets we hide ourselves. The award in the Whole Wide World competition goes to the film about a nun who finds herself out of sync with her sisterhood.
Honorable Mention in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD Competition: AS GAIVOTAS CORTAM O CÉU / SEAGULLS CUT THROUGH THE SKY, dir. Mariana Bártolo, Guillermo García López, Portugal, France
Jury’s reasons: We were deeply moved by the sensitive portrayal of a mature love story set against the backdrop of significant social change within a coastal community. The film’s strong female characters, compelling storytelling, and stunning visuals all stood out, including one of the most poetic and beautifully shot intimate scenes we’ve seen in a while.
1st Prize in the ANIMATION_PL Competition (PLN 3.000): PUSTE PRZESTRZENIE / VOID SPACES, dir. Marta Koch, Poland
Jury’s reasons: Drowning in tears, lost in space. The eclectic, hand-drawn shots in this film reflect a personal voice, like a visual diary. In scratchy images, this film depicts the dark depths that belong to our human intellect, while simultaneously showing us a hopeful flight upward.
Honorable Mention in the ANIMATION_PL Competition: SHEEP OUT, dir. Zofia Klamka
Jury’s reasons: The protagonist’s sudden escape from the monotony of daily life and routine is beautifully mirrored in the film’s visual style and music. Clinical symetiric images and subdued synthesizers dissolve into restless shapes and rock and roll.
1st Prize in the FICTION_PL Competition (PLN 3.000): TANIEC W NAROŻNIKU / DANCING IN THE CORNER, dir. Jan Bujnowski, Poland
Jury’s reasons: For bringing the audience together in smiles and memories. For reminding us that deep down we are all children, standing on the same pitch for years, with the same ball and the same dreams. For a fairytale journey through the story of how sometimes the most beautiful picture can be a mere noise if you watch it with the right person…
Honorable Mention in the FICTION_PL Competition: LAMENT NO. 1, dir. Jakub Jakubik, Polska/Poland
Jury’s reasons: For the choice of the moment in which we enter the story. For the frank and raw analysis of the breakdown of family ties, and for the dialogue with so much underneath. And for the tale of the boy who didn’t cry… until.
1st Prize in the DOCUMENTARY_PL Competition (PLN 3.000): SZALONA MIŁOŚĆ / CRAZY LOVE, dir. Martyna Peszko, Poland
Jury’s reasons: For a story about how, even with very little, you can have it all… if you set your mind to it. For a touching encounter with characters who want a little less and a little simpler than most people in the modern world. And for a reminder of what is most important in life.
Honorable Mention in the DOCUMENTARY_PL Competition: ŁÓDŹ PODWODNA / SUBMARINE, dir. Oliwia Zakrzewska, Poland
Jury’s reasons: For tackling socially relevant themes in a filmic selfie of a single mother. For a conscious self-portrait that is also a portrait of many contemporary women. For a story about the difficulties of a relationship with one’s own child and the burden of socially invisible loneliness. For the honesty, human warmth and a certain hope that emerges from this story despite many adversities.
The Best Documentary Award (PLN 3.000): CZYSTE NIEBO / CLEAR SKY, dir. Marcin Kundera, Poland
Jury’s reasons: This documentary succeeds in bringing us close to the reality of two children. The filmmakers manage to create a compelling and beautiful cinematic achievement, all while preserving the raw spontaneity of the protagonists’ daily routines of play and boredom. Colorful summer days evoke the essence of childhood while we feel the unsettling backdrop of war.
The Best Fiction Award (PLN 3.000): NATUREZA HUMANA / HUMAN NATURE, dir. Mónica Lima, Portugal, Germany
Jury’s reasons: This story unfolds from a garden’s humble beginnings, growing from bare soil to lush cascades of fruit and vegetables. We were captivated by how the stunning imagery of nature’s abundance was contrasted with the quiet, emotional drama of a couple failing to conceive, each partner coping with the struggle in their own way.
The Best Animation Award (PLN 3.000): LA PERRA, dir. Carla Melo Gampert, France, Colombia
Jury’s reasons: With each brushstroke, the artist behind this film crafted a profound exploration of the different stages of womanhood. We were captivated by its stunning visual language, from the conceptually rich character designs to the evocative depictions of the sexual bodies, and the expressive character animation. The film’s subtext resonated deeply with us, and it is with no hesitation that we award Best Animation to „La Perra” by Carla Melo Gampert!
The Best Cinematography Award (PLN 3.000): Szczepan Lewandowski / NA PUSTYM POLU / IN THE EMPTY FIELD, dir. Angelika Cygal, Poland
Jury’s reasons: This movie shows us images of great beauty that never seem staged, but rather found by a keen eye. The Polish countryside comes alive through gritty, tangible shots of both blossoming and decay that fully embrace the light and depth of black-and-white cinematography.
The Best Music Award (PLN 3.000): Jukka Herva / NUN OR NEVER, dir. Heta Jäälinoja, Finland
Jury’s reasons: Like the way this film reveals hidden desires, the music offers groovy glimpses into what remains concealed. A wide range of sounds is seamlessly integrated with the nuns’ singing, creating a soundtrack that is not only harmonious and fitting but also original and memorable.
Congratulations to all the winners!
sending...