Non-statutory juries
CICAE Jury
The CICAE Jury will present the award for the best directing debut or second film. It’s a cross-sectional award, which means that the jury will consider first and second films from both the Main Competition and the Perspectives Competition, giving young films a more level playing field. This is particularly beneficial for debuts and productions outside the mainstream.
BJÖRN OLOFSSON
Björn Olofsson is the director of Bio Regina in Östersund, Sweden. Bio Regina is a two screen art house cinema with 88 and 34 seats respectively and situated in Östersund, a town in the province of Jämtland in northern Sweden. He has been the director for three years but he’s worked at the cinema for around 30 years, previously as projectionist and he’s been responsible for the program among other duties. He’s also been involved in film festivals in Gothenburg and Umea as a technician.
GREGOR JANEŽIČ
Gregor Janežič is a film programmer at Kulturni dom Cerknica, where he oversees educational film programmes, audience development for young viewers, and a thoughtfully curated selection of films. His work focuses on fostering a deeper understanding of cinema and broadening access to high-quality film culture.
SABINE PUTORTI
Sabine Putorti, after studying history and political sciences, worked in the area of documentary film production, directing a 52′ film on the world of agriculture. She then worked at the Gaumont film archives. Since 2003, she’s been running the Institut de l’image in Aix-en-Provence, an arthouse specializing in repertoire films and that is heavily involved in image education. This year, she had the honour of being president of the arthouse jury at Cannes.
Youth Jury
The Youth Jury award for best film in the Main Competition will be is presented by jury composed of the winners of the 9th National Film and Social Communication Olympiad, organised by the National Film Archive
EMILIA BEJMERT
Emilia Bejmert is a senior at Tadeusz Kościuszko High School No. 1 in Busko-Zdrój and a winner of the 9th National Film and Social Communication Olympiad. She sees film as a dialogue between context, text, and multi-layered reception. Her inspirations include Andrzej Żuławski, Futurist poetry, and the people she observes. She’s a fan of Hydrozagadka, Verdi’s operas, and the colour orange.
HUBERT MAŁECKI
Hubert Małecki graduated this year from the National Education Commission High School No. 10 in Kraków and is about to start studying at the Łódź Film School. He’s passionate about Polish cinema and Robert Eggers’ films. He’s also interested in economics and politics. When he’s not watching films, he spends his time mountain-hiking and exploring analogue photography.
ZUZANNA MUCHA
Zuzanna Mucha graduated from Władysław Broniewski High School No. 3 in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski and will begin studying journalism in October. She is passionate about feminism and social issues, which she explores critically through film. In cinema, she values authentic emotions above all.
Jury of the Award for Best Visual Effects (VFX) in Narrative Films
For the first time in the history of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, the Award for Best Visual Effects (VFX) in narrative films, a non-statutory accolade, will be presented. The award will honour outstanding achievements and innovations in visual effects, which play an increasingly central role in contemporary film language. The Award is organised by the Polish Post-production Society in collaboration with the Pomeranian Film Foundation, producer of the PFF.
SZYMON JASKUŁA | Juice
GAWEŁ JACYKÓW | Nolabel
MATT TOKARZ | Platige Image
Jury of the Polish Federation of Film Discussion Clubs ‘Don Quixote’ Award
The Polish Federation of Film Discussion Clubs ‘Don Quixote’ Award for a film from the Main Competition, granted by the PFDKF jury composed of activists and members of film discussion clubs affiliated with the Polish Federation of Film Discussion Clubs.
DOROTA DOROŻYŃSKA (DKF Politechnika, Wrocław)
AGNIESZKA SKOCZEK (DKF Eroica, Skierniewice)
JAROSŁAW SKULSKI (DKF Fenomen, Kielce)
Jury of the Award for Best Casting Director
The award for best casting director is granted to the casting director of a film from the Main Competition by a jury composed of representatives of the Polish Filmmakers Association and the Polish Film Festival.
JOANNA ŁAPIŃSKA
MARCIN KOSZAŁKA
PAULINA KRAJNIK
Jury of the ‘Golden Kangaroo’ Award
The Golden Kangaroo Award is presented to a film from the Main Competition by a jury composed of Australian film distributors. The aim of the award is to promote Polish cinema in Australia, initiate and facilitate mutual contacts between the Polish and Australian film communities, and encourage production cooperation between Polish and Australian filmmakers.
TADEUSZ MATKOWSKI
KATARZYNA HANKIEWICZ-JACKOWSKA
RAFAŁ OLBRYCHSKI
IWONA PRUSZYŃSKA
MONIKA RUT
