We’ve just wrapped up seven days of film screenings, meetings with filmmakers, accompanying events, and discussions about cinema. The anniversary edition of the Tarnów Film Award once again drew prominent figures from the Polish film industry and many fans of art-house cinema to Tarnów.

For many years, Gemini Park Tarnów has actively supported the festival as an event partner and sponsor of one of the most important non-statutory awards. During this year’s gala, Krzysztof Kryczka, Director of Gemini Park Tarnów, presented the Gemini Park Tarnów Special Award to Wojciech Smarzowski, director of the film “Dom dobry.” The jury recognized the filmmaker for “the respect and sensitivity with which creators address the issues that hurt the most. For capturing — thanks in part to Krzysztof Komander’s excellent editing — the psychological quagmire into which the protagonist sinks. For a deep, intuitive understanding of Polish society, Polish love, and Polish cruelty. For reminding us that cinema is important. And perhaps, sometimes, it can even change reality?”

– For years, we have been committed to supporting the Tarnów Film Award, not only as a sponsor and partner of the Final Gala, but also by organizing outdoor film screenings for the region’s residents. This year, too, we worked together to create a space for encounters with cinema and culture, which attracted a large audience of film enthusiasts. For four decades, the Tarnów Film Award has demonstrated that cinema can be a space for important social dialogue, reflection, and connection. We are delighted to be part of this event, which has become a permanent fixture in the cultural landscape of the city and the region – says Krzysztof Kryczka, Director of Gemini Park Tarnów.

The main competition of this anniversary edition features 14 selected Polish feature films:
„Brat”, „Chopin, Chopin!”, „Dobry chłopiec”, „Dom dobry”, „Dziecko z pyłu”, „Franz Kafka”, „LARP. Miłość, trolle i inne questy”, „Miłe kobiety”, „Ministranci”, „Nie ma duchów w mieszkaniu na Dobrej”, „Pojedynek”, „Vinci 2”, „Wielka Warszawska” oraz „Zima pod znakiem Wrony”.

Agnieszka Holland won the Grand Prix at the 40th Tarnów Film Festival for her film “Franz Kafka.” The film also received the Youth Jury Award. The Audience Award went to the film “Ministranci,” directed by Piotr Domalewski, while the Children’s Jury Award was presented to the animated film “Uziemnieni,” produced by Piotr Krzykwa.

During the gala, the MGGP S.A. Special Award was also presented to Maciej Sobieszczański for his film “Brat,” along with two special mentions — one for Emi Buchwald for her film “Nie ma duchów w mieszkaniu na Dobrej” and another for Weronika Mliczewska for “Dziecko z pyłu.”

Filip Wiłkomirski received the Special Award from the Polish Filmmakers Association and the Tarnów Cultural Center for a debut filmmaker for his role in the film “Brat.”

The Tarnów Film Award is the second-oldest film festival in Poland and has been promoting the most interesting trends in contemporary cinema for 40 years. This year’s anniversary edition once again confirmed that Tarnów remains an important hub on the map of Polish film culture.