"It Is Never Too Late!" – the 23rd BellaTOFIFEST International Film Festival Has Officially Begun!
The 23rd edition of the BellaTOFIFEST International Film Festival was officially inaugurated with a grand Opening Gala, during which we paid tribute to distinguished figures of Polish cinema: Eliza Rycembel, Elżbieta Starostecka and Jan Englert.
The guests were welcomed by Director of the Festival, Kafka Jaworska:
"You have seven days ahead filled with an abundance of remarkable films. I hope that after each screening, you’ll engage in long, captivating conversations – because that is what cinema is for. That is its magic – to inspire dialogue, provoke discussion and sometimes even spark disagreement. None of this would be possible without the extraordinary team of people who make our festival a reality."
Eliza Rycembel was honored with the Bella Woman Golden Angel for a European Actress. The award was presented to her by Katarzyna Czachowska, a member of the Management Board Office of the TZMO Group.
"I’m incredibly grateful – thank you so much for this award! It’s a true pleasure to receive it at BellaTOFIFEST, a festival I’ve attended before and hold very dear. I’d like to thank everyone who made this recognition possible. Since it is the Bella Woman Award, I want to dedicate it to all women who support one another – to my friends, my mother, my agent Małgosia, to all the female directors I’ve worked with and to the women on set – I couldn’t be where I am today without you. I hope you’ll continue to support me!" – said the laureate.
Jan Englert, the legendary Polish actor, received the Pola Negri Honorary Film Award of Marshal of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The award was presented by Marshal Piotr Całbecki.
“I hope this is not a lifetime achievement award. I understand that playing the role of a ripe apple lying under the apple tree is not easy – a director might trip over it and realize that the apple is still useful. I don’t take offense. But I want to say one thing: in connection with this award, I counted – ‘The Crossroads’ is my 146th film role. I’m not saying this to boast, but to encourage all those waiting for success or recognition: it is possible to receive your first film award after 69 years in the industry. It is never too late, my dear friends! Thank you very much, Mr. Marshal, for this honor – especially since it bears the name of Pola Negri. Although I never met her, she is one of the few who managed to leave this country and become a global icon. I never achieved that myself, but perhaps this award means the best is still ahead of me.” – said the actor.
The Golden Angel for the Lady of Polish Cinema was awarded to Elżbieta Starostecka, who received the honor to a rousing standing ovation from the audience. The award was presented by Paweł Gulewski, Mayor of the City of Toruń.
“I am deeply moved! When I found out about this award, I was surprised — but very pleasantly so. The heart of this festival is in Toruń. I was here a few years ago. It’s a beautiful city — you can be proud of it. This award is a great joy.” – declared the legendary Polish actress.
The evening concluded with a captivating concert by Marek Dyjak. The musical finale of the gala was met with great acclaim from both the audience and the festival’s distinguished guests.
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Fundacja Biuro Kultury
ul. Ducha Świętego 2a/2
87-100 Toruń, Poland
+48 665 192 353
contact@tofifest.pl
Dofinansowano ze środków Ministra Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego pochodzących z Funduszu Promocji Kultury — państwowego funduszu celowego.
