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The 42nd Warsaw International Film Festival held its awards ceremony on Sunday. Judges from the festival’s four competitive sections were joined by an independent panel of judges to award this year’s honours. Special awards were also presented at the awards ceremony from ORLEN, Speakers’ Avenue Film School and the Polish Producers’ Association (KIPA).
Warsaw Film Festival 2026 Awards Grand Prix
at international conventionThe Warsaw Grand Prix worth PLN 120,000 went to Grzegorz Dębowski with funding from the Mayor of Warsaw. someone else’s (someone else’s). The jury praised the film’s precise and nuanced storytelling and its portrait of a flawed and elusive woman who falls into the identity of an unfamiliar person and discovers her own potential in it. The Polish winner in Warsaw may stir up some opposing thoughts, but any quote praising a film that doesn’t judge its protagonist is at least one that has a spine.
Best Director (PLN 10,000) Go to Cai Chengjie Suzhou QuartetFour stories unfold at once and are connected through the screen. The jury described the film as an ambitious meditation on life and death, praising its striking cinematography and bold narrative form. Since such a premise invites obvious pitfalls, awarding a film a Best Director award is an act of gentle courage.
that Special Jury Award (PLN 5,000) went to see Maria Dębska, who acted in another Polish film, especially one by Maciej Sobieszczański. through the wall. The judges chose the emotion of the character, which was built without exaggeration. I also shot a movie FIPRESCI AwardA jury of critics praised the love story behind prison walls, filmed in black and white during a dark chapter of Polish history. Having the main jury and a panel of critics independently reach the same conclusion is as close to confirmation as a film festival award. that Special mention at international convention Go to Swedish director Jens Sjögren Bloody Man. Personally, I didn’t want to give the award to an Iranian player. Lady Fairy’s daughter.
in Competition 1–2; The main prize and PLN 10,000, dedicated to the first and second novels, went to the work of Lorin Terezi. baby. The judges said a debut rarely felt so perfect and that its structure was reminiscent of a Greek tragedy, featuring a young woman rebelling against a patriarchal tradition that values family honor over life. Ursha Menard’s everything that’s wrong with you received Special mention. My personal favorite: resonance Yordan Petkov went home empty-handed. Please look forward to the review and interview with the director.
that documentary contest‘S Best Documentary Feature Award (PLN 5,000) went to the house of Jonas Spriestersbach. Meanwhile, in Namibia. The jury explained that they chose a film that trusts images over words, which is rare and welcome among documentary juries. Maria Molina Peiro Like any other mortal received special mention. meteoriteDirector Elisabeth Verchosin won both categories. Short Grand Prix (PLN 2,000) and Best Live Action Short Film (PLN 1,000). Short film makers have always been awarded laurels. Dylan Glynn’s A knowing look took it with Best Animated Short Filmand Sina Aghazadeh letter home took it with Best Documentary Short Film.
Independent juries spread interest widely. The ecumenical jury was led by Linda Olte; kidNETPAC chose Keisuke Yoshida’s mentorYoung FIPRESCI chose Martina Buchelová. A lover, not a fighter. that Polish Film Institute Award In the encounter section, Beth de Araújo won. josephine. Among the additional prizes: Orlens Award The Best Polish Short Film Award went to Angelika Cygal. death of a young deer. that Speaker’s Avenue Film School Award I went to Felipe Sánchez García’s house. bird death. that Korea Patent Association Award The Best Producing Debut Award (PLN 50,000) went to Dagmara Piasecka. Pixie. new beginning.
The films released this year varied in quality, with some strong pieces featured in the Free Spirit section. For example Argentinean Trumpet player and ghost. Generally speaking, the 42nd edition was a solid year without any mistakes in selection.