POLISH FILMS AWARDED AT 59TH DOK LEIPZIG
November 5 marked the awards ceremony of the 59th edition of the DOK Leipzig festival. This year’s edition of the festival brought accolades for five Polish films.
DOK Leipzig is one of the world’s key festivals of documentary and animated films. The annual film festival showcases the latest films from dozens of countries across the globe. This year’s DOK Leipzig lineup featured over 300 films, including over 40 Polish films, seven of which screened in competition.
Awards for Polish Films
The Golden Dove Award in the International Short Documentary Competition went to Więzi (Close Ties) by Zofia Kowalewska. The jury recognised Kowalewska’s film for showing “human intimacy with simplicity, humour and bravery that gives the film a unique quality.” The Leipzig screening marked the film’s international premiere.
The other Golden Dove Award went to Filip Jacobson for his Lekcja patriotyzmu (Patriotic Lesson). This Polish-German co-production was recognised in the German Competition for Short Documentary and Animated Film. The jury recognised the film’s important subject matter – indoctrinating society starting in primary schools.
The MDR Award for best Eastern European film went to Convictions, a Polish-Russian co-production directed by Tatyana Chistova.
The festival also brought more laurels for Anna Zamecka’s acclaimed documentary Komunia (Communion). Having previously won awards in Locarno, Jihlava and at the Warsaw Film Festival, the film also received the Young Eyes Film Award in Leipzig. The Audience Award presented by the Mephisto 97.6 radio station went to Renata Gąsiorowska for her animated film Cipka (Pussy).
Further details are available at www.dok-leipzig.de and www.polishdocs.pl.
Translated by Karolina Kołtun