NEWS

This is a real triumph for the Warsaw Film School productions! As many as six out of seven awards in the Short Film Competition – including the Best Film Award – went to three productions of the Warsaw Film School at the Young Gala of the 46th Gdynia Film Festival.

Poto: Michał Sierszak / Warsaw Film School

On Friday evening (September 24), during the Young Gala, Festival  announced the winners and prizewinners of the Short Films Competition, honorable mentions and additional awards.

By decision of the jury: Małgorzata Szumowska (head of jury), Agnieszka Podsiadlik and Tim Redford, the Lucjan Bokiniec Award for the Best Film went to "My Brother Fisherman" directed by our student – Alicja Sokół! The production about two brothers trying to find a common language had its premiere during the Gdynia festival.

The head of jury justified the jury's choice in these words:

'The director has shown great sensitivity, a non-obvious point of view and some tenderness; some interesting perspective on the world.'

Photo: Michał Sierszak / Warsaw Film School

Alicja went on stage with Emil Siennicki, who plays one of the main roles. She thanked both brothers for their participation in the project and also she thanked the Warsaw Film School.

'I had the pleasure of seeing our film for the first time on the big screen here,'  confessed Alicja. 'Thank you all so much for helping us out.'

However, this was not the end of the film's success. Its cinematographer, Kajetan Falkowski, a WSF student, received the Heliograph Award for the Best Cinematographer. Our school receives this award for the second time in a row! Last year, the winner was Konrad Bloch for his cinematography in "The Dress".

The award was presented by Anna Szczerbińska, the company's PR manager.

Photo: Michał Sierszak / Warsaw Film School

'I would like to thank Alicja Sokół for inviting me to the project and all those who put their input and their "five cents" into it,' said Kajetan while receiving the award.

The Special Award in the Short Film Competition was awarded to the black-and-white film "The Howling" directed by our graduate Bartosz Brzeziński. This is already the second festival where the story of Kuba discovering his sexuality has been appreciated. The film has already won the Audience Award of 40th Koszaliński Festiwal Debiutów Filmowych MŁODZI I FILM.

Michał Sierszak / Warsaw Film School

'We made this film to show what effect cynical, stigmatizing words uttered by those in power, aimed at people who only want to love, can have' awarded director said.

Bartosz thanked, among others, the WSF Chancellor – Dr. Maciej Ślesicki – for his support in the most difficult moments, as well as the artistic supervisor of the project – Dr. Barbara Pawłowska – who was present at the Young Gala.

Magdalena Gajewska, the director of "The Cracks", was also recognized in Gdynia, winning two sponsor awards. "Zwierciadło" magazine's award – Strong Entry – supporting women, awarded with a view to the future and equal opportunities, appreciating the freshness of women creators' outlook, and an award from Dr Irena Eris brand.

Photo: Michał Sierszak / Warsaw Film School

The creator of "The Cracks" first thanked her family for their support – her parents and brothers: "Nothing about me without you," Magdalena emphasized. The director also thanked the Warsaw Film School, its staff and employees, as well as the film crew she represented that evening.

'I am very happy that I receive this award from women, because this is where it all started' admitted Magdalena, while receiving the award from the "Zwierciadło" monthly, 'It started from my many years of thinking about women, their social roles and their external limitations.'

The leading roles in "The Cracks" – Jaśmina Polak and Justyna Wasilewska – received a joint Special Mention for their touching roles.

This is how the head of the jury, Małgorzata Szumowska, justified the jury's decision:

'This is an accolade for the wonderful duo they created on screen, full of vulnerability. A duo of actresses with immense charisma and talent.'

The director of "The Cracks" received the award on behalf of the actresses.

'I would like to thank the girls for this beautiful adventure that I experienced with them' said Magdalena Gajewska.

We are crazy with joy and bursting with pride!

We would like to thank the Festival Organisers, the Jury as well as all the Filmmakers who took part in the Short Film Competition together with our productions.

Photo: Michał Sierszak / Warsaw Film School

Congratulations to all tour Winners. We believed in you from the beginning, and now we are confident that your film careers will be filled with successes just like this victorious evening!

Photo: Michał Sierszak / Warsaw Film School

Films by students of the Warsaw Film School are co-financed by the Polish Film Institute