"THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN" AWARDED IN ISTANBUL

Czarodziejska góra (The Magic Mountain), a Polish-French-Romanian co-production directed by Anca Damian and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received the Audentia Award at the 35th Istanbul International Film Festival.

International Co-Production Supported by the Polish Film Institute

Anca Damian’s Czarodziejska góra (The Magic Mountain) is a Polish-French-Romanian animated documentary focusing on the extraordinary Adam Jacek Winkler. A true individualist, Winkler believed that his guileless personality was similar to that of Koziołek Matołek from the classic children’s book. With his firm belief in the anti-communist movement, Winker emigrated from Poland in 1965 and settled in Paris, where he became an active fighter against communism. Upon learning of the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, he joined the Afghan forces and fought under Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Czarodziejska góra (The Magic Mountain) was produced by Aparte Films, co-produced by Filmograf, SMF Arizona Productions, the Krakow Festival Office and the Krakow Film Commission. The film was also co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, KFF, CNC France, CNC Romania, and HBO Romania.

Award Created to Support Female Filmmakers

The 35th Istanbul International Film Festival marked the first edition of the Audentia Award, introduced by Eurimages to support female filmmakers. The award brings Anca Damian a 30,000 euro cash prize towards the making of her next film project. Jury members Yeşim Ustaoğlu, Angelos Frantzis and Sanja Ravlic recognized Czarodziejska góra (The Magic Mountain) among 15 festival titles directed by women. The Audentia Award (from the Latin word for ‘courage’ or ‘bravery’) is aimed at turning the spotlight on women in the film industry. Every year, the award will be presented under the auspices of a different woman active in the film industry. This year’s Audentia Award curator is Anna Serner, head of the Swedish Film Institute.

Further details about the Audentia Award are available at: www.coe.int (PDF).

Marta Sikorska

Translated by Karolina Kołtun

21.04.2016