The prizes of the 66th Krakow Film Festival were handed out June 6, with the KFF recommendation for the European Film Award in the documentary category going to Magic Hour directed by Marcin Borchardt (Poland).
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
The International Documentary Jury of the 66th Krakow Film Festival consisted of Weronika Mliczewska (Poland), Mehrdad Oskouei (Iran), Maria Campaña Ramia (Brasil), Petra Seliškar (Slovenia) and Alessandro Stellino (Italy), and awarded the following prizes:
- THE GOLDEN HORN for the director of the best film funded by Telewizja Polska S.A. (30 000 PLN): Tobias Nölle, Loran Bonnardot for Tristan Forever (Switzerland). Jury citation: “Through its unique cinematic vision and poetic hybrid form, this film investigates the inner conflict between a man and his imagined self, exploring the universal longing for home and identity. Expanding the boundaries of creative documentary cinema with originality, sensitivity, and emotional depth the film travels through time to reflect on the persistent restlessness of human nature to the individual adjustments required by society.”
- THE SILVER HORN for the director of the film with high artistic value: Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk for Silent Flood (Ukraine, Germany). Jury citation: “We were deeply moved by the way the film embraces the beauty of simple gestures with unwavering artistic rigor and faith in humankind even in the darkest moments of war. Making bread becomes a metaphor for filmmaking: an act of patience, perseverance and solidarity that unfolds through time, feeding hope in a better world. [We award the film] for its outstanding artistic vision and unforgettable cinematography.”
- THE SILVER HORN for the director of the film on social issues – Pepa Lubojacki for If Pigeons Turned to Gold (Czech Republic, Slovakia). Jury citation: “With an authentic form, through a fresh cinematic approach, this film delivers an intimate and painfully honest portrait of addiction, love, and acceptance. The filmmaker crafts a universal story of healing from transgenerational trauma through care, enduring love, emotional courage and artistic originality.”
- HUMAN RIGHTS IN MOTION AWARD: Award from Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for documentary film promoting human rights and democratic values: Piotr Małecki and Maciek Nabrdalik for Tickling the Devil (Poland)
FIPRESCI AWARD
- The FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) Jury consisted of Łukasz Knap (Poland), Kira Taszman (Germany), Ladislav Volko (Slovakia) awarded the International Film Critics Prize to Tamara Kotevska for The Tale of Sylian (North Macedonia, USA). Citation: “Once upon a time, a young man was cursed by his father, transformed into a bird, and driven from his home. In this film, a tragic fairy tale becomes a metaphor for the transformation of rural labour systems and the involuntary migration that follows. It convincingly blends striking, magical imagery with social trauma while introducing a unique pair of protagonists: a man and a stork. Through its portrayal of fractured families and an unusual friendship, the film ultimately conveys a message of hope — sometimes a fairy tale can triumph over harsh reality.
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
The International Short Film Jury, consisting of Réka Bucsi (Hungary), Mari Liis Keevalik (Estonia), and Jay Rosenblatt (USA) has decided to award the following prizes:
- GOLDEN DRAGON for the director of the best film: Jack Wedge, Will Freudenheim for Acid City (USA). Citation: The jury felt fully immersed, sweating with the documentary crew, talking to the people who find a way of living where there is none. This psychedelic mockumentary shows us a place of magical misery that could soon be our reality.
- SILVER DRAGON for the director of the best documentary film: Paweł Chorzępa for The Tuners (Poland). Citation: “By finding tension and suspense in the most unexpected place, this film shines a spotlight on those who often work in the shadows. The documentary elevates the craftsmen to essential workers while keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.”
- SILVER DRAGON for the director of the best animated film: Bea Lema for Corpus Christi (Spain). Citation: “This beautiful film was crafted through a deliberate and focused process, creating space for reflection and gently slowing down time for both the audience and the character.
- SILVER DRAGON for the director of the best short fiction film: Jessy Moussallem for Faux Bijoux (France, Lebanon). Citation: This gripping story of desperation, deception and exploitation left us shocked, disturbed and feeling great empathy for the main character.
- Jury Award for the Best European Film (Krakow Candidate to the European Film Award 2026 in the short film category): Mykola Zasieiev for Easter Day (Ukraine, France). Citation: It requires quite a unique and nuanced approach to take a grim subject and bring out the humour and humanity of a tragic situation during war time.
- Special Mention to the film: Odonata directed by Adrien Fonda (France). Citation: “With such a strong programme and so many deserving films, the jury felt the need to give one special mention. We selected the film that sensitively explores the intricacies of human to human connection and human to insect connection.”
FICC AWARD
- The International Federation of Film Societies (FICC) Jury consisting of Tenneh Björkander (Sweden), Michael Schäfer (Germany), Piotr Wiśniewski (Poland) decided to grant the Don Quixote Award to the film Nobody Barks directed by Júlia Coldwell Serra (Spain). Citation: For its exceptional storytelling through cinematic language, its outstanding performances, and its masterful use of humour and the absurd to illuminate an everyday dilemma with insight, warmth and deep humanity.
INTERNATIONAL DOCFILMMUSIC COMPETITION
The International DocFilmMusic Competition Jury, consisting of: Günter Atteln (Germany), Mary Komasa (Poland), Maxim Derevianko (Italy), decided to award the following prizes:
- GOLDEN HEYNAL for the directors of the best film: Oliver Mark Toth for Meant to Be (Hungary). Citation: “A well-balanced portrait of a young rapper and the bright and dark sides of early success. By skilfully addressing issues such as societal and family expectations, the search for love and one’s true self, and, above all, the consequences of drug use, alcoholism and the abuse of one’s own body, the film gains social relevance. Through a masterfully edited montage of personal archive footage and outstanding cinematography, first-class sound and clever storytelling, the result is an impressively dense film that leaves a lasting impression.”
NATIONAL COMPETITION FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILMS
The National Competition Jury – Documentary Films consisting of Katarzyna Boniecka, Natalia Koniarz, Wojciech Staroń decided to award the following prizes:
- GOLDEN HOBBY-HORSE for the director of the best documentary film above 30 minutes – Piotr Małecki and Maciej Nabrdalik for Tickling the Devil (Poland). Citation: “We wanted to reward a film that offers a chance to engage in dialogue with difficult issues, to share one’s pain for the first time. The filmmakers created a safe space for the characters to encounter the demons of the past. There are no famous photos from 28 wars, no images to hide behind. All that remains is the person and their intimate relationship.”
- Best Cinematography Award under the patronage of The Polish Society of Cinematographers, funded by InfoCenter: Mateusz Czuchnowski for the film Kroki w Ciszy (Poland, Azarbaijan). Citation: “The jury appreciates not only courage and discipline, but above all, sensitivity. The cinematography doesn’t shout or dominate, but instead carefully follows the subjects. It transports us to a world where the minefield landscape becomes a metaphor for life.”
- Maciej Szumowski Award for remarkable social awareness, patronized by ZAIKS: Katarzyna Kultys for House of Ants (Poland). Citation: “The jury recognizes a film full of light and humour, unafraid to portray conflict, helplessness, and love. It’s intimate and honest, where mother and son learn from each other.”
NATIONAL COMPETITION SHORT FILMS
The National Competition Jury – Short Films consisting of Maria Zbąska, Olga Bobrowska, Łukasz M. Maciejewski decided to award the following prizes:
- GOLDEN HOBBY-HORSE for the director of the best fiction film: Alexandra ‘Sasha’ Kutsen for They Were All Named Anzhelika (Poland). Citation: For a colourful, frantic and mischievous story about how the pressure to succeed is a prison and freedom is the right to make mistakes.
- GOLDEN HOBBY-HORSE for the director of the best documentary film: Jakub Piątek for Bacewicz x Bomsori (Poland). Citation: “When we fall in love with the heroine, all theoretical justifications are meaningless. It’s too simple and beautiful a portrait, in which one artist reflects another beyond space and time.”
- GOLDEN HOBBY-HORSE for the director of the best animated film: Alicja Jasina for Almost There or a Weenie (Poland). Citation: The simple yet expressive visual form provides an excellent foundation for a story that flows partly from the gut, partly from the heart, partly ordinary and therefore convincing – a real hit.
AWARDS PRESENTED JOINTLY BY THE POLISH SHORT FILM AND DOCUMENTARY JURY
Having watched all the competition films, the National Competition Jury, both Short and Documentary Films have decided to award the following prizes:
- The Award of the Polish Filmmakers Association for the best film editing: Ilona Urbańska-Grzyb for Tickling the Devil (Poland). Citation: “The jury rewards the editing, which has multiple layers that are gradually revealed. The editing, with its sensitivity, harmoniously intertwines the humour and tragedy of the main characters, creating an intimate story about overcoming oneself, family, and the threats of the modern world. This tenderly told story allowed us to see ourselves reflected in it and be moved.”
- The Award for the best short and documentary films producer in Poland funded by KFF Sales: Joanna Zielińska (Big Wave Films) for the film Notes from a Besieged City (Poland). Citation: “Taking on a documentary film is always a journey into the unknown. This time, the journey is incredibly dangerous, requiring courage, perseverance, and responsibility. It’s the producer’s determination and support that allow the director to pursue creative freedom and instincts.”
AWARD OF THE POLISH ASSOCIATION OF ART-HOUSE CINEMAS
- Award of the Polish Association of Art-House Cinemas for the first or second short feature film in the form of promotional support for distribution worth 5,000 PLN for Karola Ulman for Ghosts (Poland). Citation: “Karol Ulman’s film ‘Ghosts, a homage to Jerzy Kawalerowicz’s famous film The Train, explores the confrontation with the past in a remarkably subtle and poetic way. Thoughtful cinematic expression combined with excellent acting combine to create a complete work of art in just a few minutes, a story that invites reflection and multifaceted interpretation.
- Special Mention of the Polish Association of Art-House Cinemas for Song of The Night directed by Oskar Sadowski (Poland). Citation: The film Song of the Night, directed by Oskar Sadowski, boldly tackles a crucial and timely issue that is still taboo for many. The outstanding and surprising performances by the cast deserve special mention.
THE AWARD OF THE STUDENT JURY
- The Student Jury consisting of Zuzanna Adamowicz, Michał Bech, Amelia Georgiewska, Katarzyna Grabiec, Jagoda Janicka, Veronika Kalinchuk, Wojciech Krakowiak, Hanna Praschil, Mikołaj Stachańczyk, Natalia Stefańska, Krzysztof Strumiński, Gabriela Zawidzka decided to award If Pigeons Turned to Gold (Czech Republic, Slovakia) directed by Pepa Lubojacki.
AUDIENCE AWARD
The Audience Award of the 66th edition of the Krakow Film Festival went ex aequo to Where Music Grows, directed by Katrine Philp, and Tickling the Devil by Maciek Nabrdalik and Piotr Małecki.
