Festival

Winners of the 10th International Film Festival Young Horizons announced!

09/10/23

fot. Michał Mroczkowski

The physical edition of the 10th Young Horizons International Film Festival has come to the end. On Saturday, 7 October, during a ceremony at Kinoteka, we announced the winners in all categories of this year’s edition. The filmmakers of the winning titles have received statuettes created by the FENEK studio. Discover the laureates of this year’s edition of the festival!

Audience Award

The audience from Warsaw and Wrocław took part in this year’s voting. By the viewers’ decision, the best movie of the Main Competition of the 10th IFF Young Horizons was the film: School of Magical Animals. The Schoolyard Mystery (dir. Sven Unterwaldt Jr.; Germany 2022). In second place came the Polish title: The Dog who Travelled by Train (dir. Magdalena Nieć; Poland 2023). The last on the podium was: Who Are You, Mamma Moo? (dir. Chrisitan Ryltenius; Sweden 2023).

fot. Michał Mroczkowski

For the second time in the festival’s history, a special prize was granted by the Association of Authors ZAiKS for the best Polish full-length film for young audiences. The jury members: Agnieszka Dziedzic, Piotr Szczepanowicz, Marek Piestrak awarded the film: The Dog who Travelled by Train (dir. Magdalena Nieć; Poland 2023). In the verdict we can read:

For creative referring to the cult book and building an emotional story about an cross-generational community around a worthy goal.

O psie, który jeździł koleją,

Main Competition

The Jury of the Main Competition, formed by: Urszula Urzędowska, Kristoffer Rus, Anna Blaszczyk awarded the film: Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret (dir. Alain Gagnol, Jean-Loup Felicioli; France 2023), justifying:

Good script, beautiful form, original mix of worlds, including childhood and adulthood. A great adventure on an important theme!

Wielka przygoda Niny, reż. Alain Gagnol, Jean-Loup Felicioli, Francja 2023

The same title was given Quality Mark from the Film Educators Team:

for its unique sensitivity, empathy and humour, as well as its thoughtful look at the problem of one family member losing job.

ZEF’s special mention went to the film Sea Sparkle (dir. Domien Huyghe; Belgium, The Netherlands 2023)

for presenting, in an original way using the medium of film and at the same time from the perspective of an adolescent girl, the extremely difficult topic of working through the trauma of losing a loved one. Thanks to a story that is firmly grounded in reality and at the same time balances between what is real and what seems to the girl, the viewer very smoothly identifies with and shares the main character's experiences.

The ECFA (European Children’s Film Association) jury comprising: Markéta Pášmová, Janne Vierth, Kärt Väinola, judging the films in the Main Competition also awarded the film: Sea Sparkle. The verdict was:

A strong story with a clear children’s and youth perspective. The universal theme, in the true meaning of the word, is beautifully conveyed with heartfelt authenticity, but the director doesn’t shy from sheer fiction when it is the best way for the protagonist to finish her, and thereby our, very emotional journey.

he ECFA’s special mention went to the title: The Dog who Travelled by Train due to:

In a beautifully filmed adventure a travelling dog helps a whole nation to see what’s really important in life as they save the life of the dog’s best friend.

Sea Sparkle, reż. Domien Huyghe; Belgia, Niderlandy 2023

Discoveries’ Competition

The jury composed of: Katarzyna Kasia, Kuba Mikurda, Katarzyna Borowiecka, awarded the film: Scrapper (dir. Charlotte Regan; UK 2023)

Georgie ma się dobrze, reż. Charlotte Regan

for its empathetic tale of experiencing grief and the difficulties of building a new relationship. For its link between the everyday and the magic, its incredible screen energy, its wonderful acting performances and its happy ending.

An special mention went to the animation Chicken for Linda! (directed by Chiara Malta, Sébastien Laudenbach; France, Italy 2023).

For its intriguing visual form, its combination of humour, deep observation and authorial visual language. For the story of how a supportive community is formed in a difficult situation (although we would have chosen a vegetarian dish).

During this year’s edition, for the very first time, the Young Horizons Jury, consisting of: Maja Kurowska, Juliusz Korczyński, Irena Goldstein, Olga Żornaczuk, Krysia Zagroba-Kocewiak had a chance to chocse their favoirite movies. The award went to the animation Robot Dreams (directed by Pablo Berger; Spain, France 2023).

The film impressed the Jury with its innovative approach to the universal problem of relationships, its reconstruction of the lively atmosphere of the city and the expressive nature of the story despite the lack of dialogue.

Pies i robot, reż. Pablo Berger

The Young Horizons Jury gave special mention to the film Nezouh (dir. Soudade Kaadan; France, UK, Syria 2022)

for its gentle approach to the difficult subject of war, its psychologically deepened picture of a family in a border situation and its nuanced critique of the traditional values of the patriarchal model of Middle Eastern society.

Documentary Competition

The jury made up of: Iwona Zabielska-Stadnik, Piotr Stasik, Iga Kazimierczyk awarded the film: The light (dir. Sarah Lederman; Belgium 2022).

For showing that loss, trauma, grief can be discussed and also lived without fear, staying on the side of life rather than sadness, resignation, despair. For showing the strength and power of support, closeness, love - we read the justification for the verdict.