Alexandra Ramires for the film Elo / Tie, Portugal 2020, 11’38’’ Laudation: The award goes to the director who touched basic human emotions using a master level of animation language, tenderly balancing between myth and intimacy.
Under a gloomy sun, two characters with symmetrical handicaps look for adaptation.
Réka Anna Szakály for the film Reduction, Hungary 2021, 10’56’’ Laudation: This is not a spectacular apocalypse. We do not know wether it’s a portrait of a student-master relationship, tormentor-victim relationship or a struggle with mental illness. What we know is: this world is toxic.
Two girls live together along the post-apocalyptic coast, both sharing the same goal of reaching the other side in hopes of a better life. However, when a mysterious character enters the life of one, a chain of irreversible events begins. Relationships fall apart along with the very world around them.
Best Music Video and PLN 3.000
Rona Fayad for the film Downfall, mus. Ryan Fayad, Lebanon 2021, 3’28’’ Laudation: To the director of a hypnotizing movie stretched between black and white, between fact and suggestion. It is a perfect synergy of pulsating rhythm and memorable visuals.
Enya's journey trying to make it as a dancer is hindered as her behaviors drag her downhill.
Special mentions
Daria Kopiec for the film Your Own Bullshit / Własne śmieci, Poland 2020, 6’26’’ Laudation: For crossing of the border of animation as a medium and joining it with literature, cabaret and musical and performing that in her own consistent, independent and zestful rhythm.
There's nothing better than dinner with family, alhough it seems lika a looped script that repeats itself infinitely. Also, except food, you have to swallow the words of your loved ones. Sometimes they're bitter. Sometimes they're so repetitive they make you want to puke. Perfectly repeated for many long years.
Katarzyna Miechowicz for the film Crumbs of Life / Okruszki życia, Poland 2020, 6’35’’ Laudation: Absurd adventures of three people inhabitating the same small town by the sea; Una, experiencing peculiar anxiety about her own foot; G., cursed by a plump pony, and mysterious Faceless Man.
For the approach to genre cinema that is risky, cocky and full of panache.
Mateusz Jarmulski for the film The Visit / Wizyta, Poland 2021, 7’23’’ Laudation: For creating a visually stunning, gloomy, animated narrative poem that forced us all to confront the heart of darkness.
African tropical forest. A dark figure escapes through the thicket. The hunters’ screams are getting louder and louder. The eyes of the prey shine in her dark face. She is a female chimpanzee and she' breathing heavily, as she tries to escape through the jungle. The frightened animal reaches a beautiful colonial villa and goes inside. As she leaves her natural environment, she will be faced with a dilemma. The Visit asks a question about where humanity begins.
Marko Dješka for the film Sve te senzacije u mom trbuhu / All Those Sensations in My Belly, Croatia 2020, 13’19’’ Laudation: We have awarded a director who in a very comprehensive manner touched a subject of self-determination. Who created a story that keeps you at the edge of your seat, is very emotional and is a true eye candy.
While transitioning from male to female gender, Matia struggles with finding a genuine intimate relationship with a heterosexual man.
The Audience Award in the International Competition and Music Video Competition goes to
Julien Regnard for the film Ronde de nuit / The Night Watch, France 2020, 12’20’’
A couple rushes out of a glamorous party. On their way home, an argument leads to a brutal car accident. When George regains consciousness, Christina has disappeared. He will then experience a real descent into hell.
The Audience Award in the Films for Children and Young Adults Competition and PLN 1.000 goes to
Helene Ducrocq for the film Lupin, France 2020, 11’11’’
A young wolf ventures out of his burrow for the first time, while his mother is busy hunting. Lost and frightened, he finds a shelter in a garden. Jeanne, Gaston and Louis, the hunters' children find him, and decide to bring him back to his home.
