As usual, the program of the 64th Krakow Film Festival featured a number of documentaries focused on social issues and human rights. Three of them received WATCH DOCS nominations, meaning they will Warsaw premiere during the 24th edition of our festival this year. We are delighted that the titles we selected won the top awards at the 64th KFF.

"SILENT TREES," directed by Agnieszka Zwiefka

✷ GOLDEN HOBBY-HORSE for the director of the best film in the Polish Competition — Agnieszka Zwiefka for the film "Silent Trees"

❞ For a story that is a complete work. For a film where the refugee is a human being, not a hollow media topic. For a poignant record of pain, despair, rejection, and lack of acceptance, but at the same time for a picture that gives hope.

✷ SPECIAL MENTION for the protagonist of the film in the Polish Competition — Runa Husni in the film "Silent Trees"

❞ The Jury's special award for the extraordinary protagonist who allowed us to enter her inner world and whose personality permeates and creates this phenomenal picture.

The Polish competition jury – documentary film, consisting of: Piotr Śliskowski – chair, Marta Minorowicz, Joanna Ostrowska.

✷ SPECIAL MENTION for the director in the International Competition — Agnieszka Zwiefka for the film "Silent Trees"

❞ The jury wanted to express their admiration for the film "The Trees Are Silent," which tackles the dangers and traumas experienced by refugees at the edges of Europe, at the borders of Poland. By focusing on the emotions of a Kurdish teenager from Iraq, who takes responsibility for her entire family, the filmmakers found an eloquent and vivid protagonist. Her inner emotional life is depicted in unconventional animated sequences, but above all, the jury was impressed by the cinematography, captured with nobility and sensitivity.

The international competition jury, consisting of: Nick Read – chair (UK), Margje de Koning (Netherlands), Eliza Kubarska (Poland), Monica Lazurean-Gorgan (Romania), Dragan von Petrovic (Serbia).

"OF CARAVAN AND THE DOGS," directed by Askold Kurov and an Anonymous Creator

✷ GOLDEN HORN in the International Competition - Askold Kurov and Anonymous Creator for the film "On the Caravan and the Dogs"

The jury, chaired by last year’s winner Nick Read, decided to award the Golden Horn to Askold Kurov and Anonymous Creator for the film Of Caravan and the Dogs. Their justification states: Observing the relentless countdown to the war in Ukraine in early 2023, Of Caravan and the Dogs is a unique film of record. It captures not only a moment in history, but also the untold efforts of embattled Russian journalists and activists in defending press freedoms and human rights. This exquisitely crafted, important film captured the jury’s respect and we have no hesitation in recommending it to international audiences.

"INTERCEPTED," directed by Oksana Karpovych

✷ SILVER HORN in the International Competition - Oksana Karpovych for the film "Intercepted"

The Silver Horn for the director of the film on social issues was awarded to Oksana Karpovych, the director of Intercepted. In the words of the jury with its distinctive aesthetic approach, we predict Intercepted is a film that will live long in the memory of audiences. Recordings of mobile phone conversations between Russian conscripts and family members create the image of a fractured society. Mothers, sisters and partners become complicit in the banality of evil. Powerful cinematic images of broken landscapes these same soldiers witnessed in Ukraine frame the audio, forming a compelling & original perspective on the present conflict.

The awarded films will be included in the program of the 24th WATCH DOCS International Film Festival, which will take place this year from November 22 to December 1 (Warsaw + online across Poland).

Photo by Maciek Zygmunt, Seweryn Chwałek