The awards of the 64th Krakow Film Festival were handed out June 1. These included two Dragon of Dragons Awards for the contribution to the development of the world documentary film, which were handed to Godfrey Reggio (USA) and Jacek Petrycki (Poland).
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
The jury, consisting of Nick Read, Margje de Koning, Eliza Kubarska, Monica Lazurean-Gorgan and Dragan von Petrovic awarded the following prizes:
- The Golden Horn for Best Film: Askold Kurov and Anonymous 1 for Of Caravan and the Dogs (Germany). Citation: Observing the relentless countdown to the war in Ukraine in early 2022, Of Caravans and the Dogs is a unique film of record. It captures not only a moment in history, but also the untold efforts of embattled Russian journalists and activists in defending press freedoms and human rights. This exquisitely crafted, important film captured the jury’s respect and we have no hesitation in recommending it to international audiences.
- The Silver Horn for Highest Artistic Merit: Tomasz Wolski for A Year in the Life of the Country (Poland): Citation: A Year in the Life of the Country takes the story of a remarkable chapter in Polish history – 1980-81 & the emergence of the Solidarity movement – and gives it new meaning. The masterful editing craft on display: the pacing, score, soundscape and narrative design seriously impressed the jury. The film stimulates a range of emotional responses, from humour to empathy & outrage, making distant history more vital & relevant to audiences today.
- The Silver Horn for Film on Social Issues: Oksana Karpovych for Intercepted (Canada, France, Ukraine). Citation:With its distinctive aesthetic approach, we predict Intercepted is a film that will live long in the memory of audiences. Recordings of mobile phone conversations between Russian conscripts and family members create the image of a fractured society. Mothers, sisters and partners become complicit in the banality of evil. Powerful cinematic images of broken landscapes these same soldiers witnessed in Ukraine frame the audio, forming a compelling & original perspective on the present conflict.
- SPECIAL MENTION: Silent Trees by Agnieszka Zwiefka (Poland).
The FIPRESCI Prize
- Oksana Karpovych for Intercepted (Canada, France, Ukraine). Citation: For it’s skillful and innovative fusion of audio material and visual presentation of the complexity of the war. The story about the people who found themselves in the downward spiral of war horrors and the damage of war propaganda accomplishes to bring a genuine message of humanity across.
The KFF Recommendation to the European Film Award (Doc) was named as Silent Trees by Agnieszka Zwiefka (Poland).
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
- The Golden Dragon for Best Film: Akihito Izuhara for Kawauso (Japan). Citation: Pure piece of art that is both minimalist and maximalist. Mysterious poetic movie that stops us for a moment of powerful silence for meditation about the relationship between human civilization and nature.
- The Silver Dragon for Best Documentary Film: Ivan Zahínos for Don Benjamín (Spain). Citation: A story about a local community defending their home and home of all of us. By example of the unbreakable spirit of the main character this uplifting movie brings back belief in humankind, tears to your eyes and some hope to your heart.
INTERNATIONAL DOCFILMMUSIC COMPETITION
- The jury consisting of Matej Bobrik, Ana Sofia Fonseca, Michał Fojcik awarded the Golden Heynal to Teaches of Peaches (Germany) by Philipp Fussenegger and Judy Landkammer. Citation: This film is an amazing journey to the life of someone that shows us the power of fighting for our rights, bringing to the stage important issues like women empowerment, sexual freedom and aging even when these subjects were not popular. The film impresses for its authenticity.
NATIONAL COMPETITION
- Golden Hobby Horse for the director of the Best Documentary Film Kacper Świtalski for Tiger Soup (Poland). Citation: For telling a story about seizing life. For showing us that an extraordinary adventure can be just around the corner. Its lush, colour-saturated cinematography takes us on a journey that knows no limits, carried by the simplest yet most important emotions.
- Golden Hobby Horse for the director of the Best Documentary Film above 30 minutes: Agnieszka Zwiefka for Silent Trees (Poland, Germany, Denmark). Citation: For a story that is a complete work. For a film where a refugee is a human being and not an empty media topic. For a poignant record of pain, despair, rejection, and lack of acceptance, but at the same time for a film that gives hope.
- Maciej Szumowski Award for Remarkable Social Awareness: Grzegorz Brzozowski for Only Day And Night (Poland). Citation: For an extraordinary sense of historical timing and sensitivity in portraying the protagonists in a situation of collective danger, whose result is an exceptionally modern and – simultaneously – universal story about every one of us.
- A Special Mention was given to Runa Husni, the protagonist of the film Silent Trees (Poland) “for inviting the filmmakers into her private world.”
- The Award for the Best Short and Documentary Films Producer: Anna Bławut-Mazurkiewicz (Aura Films) for the film Everything Needs to Live (Poland, Ukraine). Citation: For recognition of her extremely courageous production and organizational work and in gratitude for co-creating one of the most moving films about the horrors of contemporary armed conflict and the dedication in defending the rights of those most in need.
THE AUDIENCE AWARD
- Everything Needs to Live directed by Tetiana Dorodnitsyna and Andrii Lytvynenko (Poland, Ukraine)
The Dragon of Dragons Awards for the contribution to the development of the world documentary film: Godfrey Reggio (USA) and Jacek Petrycki (Poland).
