The On Air Main Competition was won by A Light That Never Goes Out, directed by Lauri-Matti Parppei, while the Polish Film Competition From Poland went to Dom dobry, directed by Wojciech Smarzowski. Nastassja Kinski received the Golden Angel for Artistic Insolence. Andrzej Konopka accepted the Golden Angel for Original Acting Performance. Bogusław Linda was awarded the “Thorunium” Medal of the President of Toruń. Łukasz Simlat received the Pola Negri Film Award of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. The Ryszard Bugajski Award for Best Direction for a Polish film in the From Poland competition went to Michał Marczak. The Special Award went to Silent Rebellion. The Actress Award was presented to Eva Kostić and the Actor Award to Hasan Akil. Aurora Dávila received the Special Award for a Child Actor. The Award for Child Actors went to Tobiasz Wajda, Bruno Błach-Baar, Mikołaj Juszczyk and Filip Juszczyk.
On Friday, July 3, the official Closing Gala of the 24th BellaTOFIFEST IFF was held at CKK Jordanki. The winners of the International First and Second Feature Film Competition On Air and the Polish Film Competition From Poland were announced.
The distinctions, the Special Award, the Actress and Actor Awards, and the Grand Prix of the On Air Main Competition were awarded by the jury composed of Magdalena Łazarkiewicz, Karolina Gruszka, Andrzej Chyra, Wojciech Gostomczyk and Xawery Żuławski.
The festival Grand Prix went to A Light That Never Goes Out, directed by Lauri-Matti Parppei.
“The film shows how humour, intriguing, unconventional acting performances and dramaturgical choices draw the viewer into this intimate and moving story. It reveals that freeing ourselves from stereotypes and false beliefs allows us to see how beautiful life is, that loneliness is merely a form of fear, and that courage is liberation.” – said jury member Andrzej Chyra, explaining the decision
“It is incredible that this little film has made it to BellaTOFIFEST IFF in Poland. Lauri-Matti comes from the underground music scene, and the film is deeply rooted in his own experiences. I know he hopes that everyone who saw the film – and even those who did not – will start their own band. Thank you!” – Vincent Saunders
The jury presented the Special Award to Silent Rebellion, directed by Marie-Elsa Sgualdo, the Actress Award to Eva Kostić for her role in 17, directed by Kosara Mitić, the Actor Award to Hasan Akil for his role in A Sad and Beautiful World, directed by Cyril Aris, as well as the Special Award for a Child Actor to Aurora Dávila for her role in Vainilla, directed by Mayra Hermosillo.
The award in the Polish Film Competition From Poland, whose winner is chosen by the festival audience, went to Dom dobry, directed by Wojciech Smarzowski. The film’s producer, Wojciech Gostomczyk, read out the director’s words:
“I do not make films for awards, but for audiences. That is why audience awards will always matter most to me. Thank you very much for this one. Since film is a collective effort, I would like to thank everyone with whom I had the pleasure of working on Dom dobry: the actors, the crew, the co-producers, the producers and the partners. Have a good evening. Thank you.” – Wojciech Smarzowski.
Nastassja Kinski received the Golden Angel for Artistic Insolence.
“I am half Polish, and I do not think it is a coincidence that I am here, at this wonderful BellaTOFIFEST, among extraordinary artists connected with the films of Andrzej Wajda and Krzysztof Kieślowski. I myself had the opportunity to work with Roman Polański, and with my dear, beloved Jerzy Skolimowski, who is also here today. It is fantastic. I am grateful, and I would very much like to come back here – and perhaps, in some way, work together. We need angels in our lives.” – Nastassja Kinski
Bogusław Linda was awarded the “Thorunium” Medal of the President of Toruń.
“I would like to thank you wholeheartedly for being here. For loving cinema. And for welcoming it with such love.” – Bogusław Linda
Łukasz Simlat received the Pola Negri Film Award of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.
“Thank you very much for honouring me with this statuette. I am all the more pleased that I am being recognised by people whom I can probably already call close to me. Our paths have crossed many times, and yet it seems you have not grown tired of me and still see something new in me. Thank you for welcoming me into the Kujawsko-Pomorskie family – because for me, that is what this award comes down to. I am also thinking about its definition: versatility. It is versatility that makes us find within ourselves the will, energy, imagination and courage to step beyond the well-worn, safe path. To do something we cannot yet do today, something that seems impossible. Versatility also allows us to better understand the nature of other people’s work, and ultimately that teaches empathy – something, in my view, that is very much needed today.” – Łukasz Simlat
Michał Marczak received the Ryszard Bugajski Award for Best Direction for Bez końca.
“Thank you very much for this award. I remember watching Interrogation several times during my first year at film school and analysing it scene by scene, so this distinction is especially important to me. I also know that Mr Jacek Petrycki is here with us today – I analysed all his films frame by frame, so I would like to thank him as well. I invite you to see the film in cinemas. Thank you, BellaTOFIFEST. I am very moved.” – Michał Marczak
Andrzej Konopka received the Golden Angel for Original Acting Performance for his role in LARP, directed by Kordian Kądziela.
“This is a great honour for me, because this award is being presented for the first time, so in this way I will go down in the annals of this absolutely extraordinary festival. Two years ago, Kafka Jaworska invited me to the festival. I had no time: there was one funeral, two family weddings, sick children and an upset wife. After ten minutes of talking to Kafka, I wanted to cancel going to the funeral, move the weddings and leave my family behind, but fortunately I came to my senses and did not come. Kafka ended our conversation, however, with an ominous: ‘But next year you have to be here!’ Last year, I was on the festival jury. Today, I am receiving an award. I am afraid of what will happen next year. This is truly an amazing place, an amazing festival, an amazing city, but above all, amazing people who create this festival. This is my second time here, but I feel as if I am returning to friends. Thank you very much to all of you, the organisers of this festival!” – Andrzej Konopka
The Award for Child Actors in a Polish Film went to Tobiasz Wajda, Bruno Błach-Baar, Mikołaj Juszczyk and Filip Juszczyk for Ministranci, directed by Piotr Domalewski.
“We would like to sincerely thank you for this special award for young actors, presented to our entire acting ensemble. It is truly an incredible distinction for us, because on set we pushed one another forward. We had a rule: one for all and all for one. It was a wonderful gateway to the future for us.” – Tobiasz Wajda, Filip Juszczyk, Mikołaj Juszczyk and Bruno Błach-Baar
The 24th BellaTOFIFEST IFF concluded with a performance by Paulina Przybysz INNER FRAME.
