The Silver Lions went to Franz, directed by Agnieszka Holland, Poland’s official entry for the international feature Oscar. The film also picked up prizes for best actor (Idan Weiss), cinematography, make-up and set design.
The Altar Boys, which also received the audience award and prizes for screenplay and editing, follows a group of teenagers who discover that church funds collected for the poor have been diverted. Their attempt to return the money to those in need leads them to install a hidden camera in a confessional to eavesdrop on parishioners.
The jury also honoured No Ghosts Good Street by Emi Buchwald with three awards, including best director, while Matylda Giegżno (Photosensitive) was named best actress. Andrzej Konopka won best supporting actor for LARP.
Veteran set and costume designer Ewa Braun, an Oscar winner for her work on Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, received the festival’s lifetime achievement award.
The Gdynia festival, organised annually since 1974, is the most prestigious showcase of Polish cinema. This year’s 50th edition featured more than 20 films in competition and concluded with a gala at the Musical Theatre in the Baltic port city.
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Source: PAP