The award, which was first given out in 1969, just two years after Cybulski's untimely death, is given to newcomers who are “distinguished by outstanding individuality.”
Bielenia, who was singled out for his role in the film Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało), beat four other nominees to win this year's edition.
Corpus Christi had its world premiere screening at the Venice Days film festival in early September and has since received wide attention and praise.
Soon after its premiere, it was picked as Poland’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2020 Academy Awards.
The film tells the story of a young man pretending to be a priest, after experiencing a spiritual transformation in a juvenile detention centre.
The jury of this year's Zbigniew Cybulski award included several grandees from the Polish film world, among them acclaimed actress Maja Komorowska and one of Poland’s most eminent filmmakers, Agnieszka Holland.
Zbigniew Cybulski was a cult figure in Polish cinema. He died after accidentally slipping under a train in January 1967.
(jh/pk)
Source: PAP