‘78 Days’ and ‘The Peasants’ are the winners of the 22nd edition of the Tofifest International Film Festival. Kujawy Pomorze Region!
The winner of the On Air Main Competition is ‘78 Days’ by Emilija Gašič, while ‘The Peasants’ by DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman triumphs in the From Poland competition. Golden Angels for artistic insolence were given to Jerzy Skolimowski, Martyna Wojciechowska, and Zbigniew Zamachowski. The BELLA WOMAN Golden Angel Award for a European Actress was presented to Kamila Urzędowska. And finally, the FLISAK (Raftsman) Award of the President of Toruń was awarded to Julian Świeżewski.
The formal Closing Ceremony of the 22nd edition of the Tofifest International Film Festival. Kujawy Pomorze Region took place on Saturday, 29th June. During the ceremony, we announced the winners of the On Air and From Poland competitions. The Grand Prix Award in the international competition was given by a jury composed of the following artists: Kinga Dębska, Katarzyna Figura, Damian Kocur, Wojciech Urbański, and Zbigniew Zamachowski. The award was presented to Emilija Gašič, director of the film ‘78 Days’.
This film is a patchwork made of fragments of child memories, and it looks as if it comes straight from a family film archive. Emilija Gašič uses the film to travel back in time to her childhood days and the war that tore apart what used to be Yugoslavia. This personal film diary is a real shocker, in which a painful truth and joy of life go hand in hand, despite the war happening in the background. The main character is played by a young girl, and her performance is larger than the screen. The message this films delivers is particularly strong today, as it makes us think about the ordinary people living in Ukraine and Palestine, said Kinga Dębska, member of the On Air jury, justifying the choice of the winner.
In the From Poland competition, where the winner is chosen by the audience, the award went to the film ‘The Peasants’ directed by DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman.
I know for a fact that this will make Dorota and Hugh were happy people. Let me thank you on their behalf for the choice you have made - a totally right one, if I may add, commented Dorota Stalińska, who accepted the award, accompanied on stage by Kamila Urzędowska and Piotr Dominiak.
The FLISAK (Raftsman) Award of the President of Toruń, which is always given to talented filmmakers connected to our region, went to Julian Świeżewski. The statuette was given by President Paweł Gulewski.
Although I was born in Bydgoszcz, appearances can be deceptive: I have always had a special place for Toruń in my heart. It makes me happy to see that the Raftsman plays a fiddle, as this is how my romance with art started. What I would like to say to all those aspiring to try their hand at creating: stay true to your path and have the strength to follow your heart. This is not easy and I am still learning it myself. But we need to keep on doing our thing and fight for what we feel is important to us, said the artist.
The Golden Angel Awards for artistic insolence were given to Jerzy Skolimowski, Martyna Wojciechowska, and Zbigniew Zamachowski.
I believe that those extremely rebellious ones never say thank you for anything. They assume that they deserve more anyway, and rightfully so. And it is definitely the bras d'honneur (‘up yours’) gesture that they show to themselves that suits them better than any words, said film director Jerzy Skolimowski.
You are great. All those, who said that Tofifest is a unique festival, were simply right. I am really moved. My voice is shaky, because I did not dream I would get so far in life, when I was only a little girl. Angles and flying are the things I have a special bond with, as I have had a pair of wings tattooed on my arms for a long time. Pure coincidence? I beg to differ. There was definitely some deeper meaning to it! I have been rebellious for as long as I can remember. What I want to say is that being rebellious can be painful, but it is great!, said Martyna Wojciechowska accepting the award on stage.
So it is my turn now. I would like to thank all of you, who decided to give me this award. I have no idea what I did to deserve this! All I strive to do is to work with music and words. And I say this, because I find Toruń to have a very special place in my life. My entire artistic path, everything that has happened along it, and me being here with you and receiving this award - it all started in Toruń. And this circle now closes, although I am definitely far away from considering this to be the end of my rebelliousness, said Zbigniew Zamachowski, thanking for the award.
The BELLA WOMAN Golden Angel Award for a European Actress was presented to Kamila Urzędowska.
I feel both overwhelmed and touched. I would like to thank all of the organisers of this festival for making this wonderful event happen. I feel great here, and Toruń is a beautiful city. I would also like to thank the people that made it possible for me to come here, namely DK and Hugh Welchman, who created the film and trusted me that I would handle such a role. I would like to thank all the crew that worked on this film, because they created a wonderful environment in which I could comfortably bring Jagna to life, giving her the sensitivity and responsibility she required. I would also like to thank the two special women, my agents, who support me every single day, said Kamila Urzędowska.
The LOVE IS LOVE performance by Michał Szpak added splendour to the closing ceremony. The artist not only enchanted the audience with his voice, but also with a unique style and charisma.
Szymon Szatan
