The 4th FREEDOM Film Festival has officially come to an end. From July 9 to 12, we shared four unforgettable days of powerful stories, moving screenings, and heartfelt conversations. Who came out on top? Which films earned nominations for the Jan Machulski Awards? Here’s a look at the filmmakers and works that captured the hearts of the Jury and the Radom audience this year.
On July 12, at the Popular Theatre in Radom, we brought the 4th FREEDOM Film Festival and the 18th International Film Meetings KAMERALNE LATO to a close. The final gala was filled with moving speeches, moments of joy as awards and distinctions were handed out, and anticipation as the Jan Machulski Award nominations were revealed. The evening concluded on a high note with a concert by Paweł Domagała.
NATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
The Jury, chaired by Olaf Lubaszenko and including Anna Mucha, Sebastian Stankiewicz, and Andrzej Wolf, presented two awards in the National Competition and announced eight nominations for the Jan Machulski Awards.
The Golden Archer – Grand Prix of the National Short Film Competition, along with a cash prize awarded by the Mayor of Radom, Mr. Radosław Witkowski, was presented to AVE EVA, directed by Agnieszka Nowosielska. The film tells a poignant story of longing for love and the inner struggle between personal confusion and the expectations imposed by others. The Jury praised the production for its sensitive exploration of a difficult theme, mature screenplay, and remarkable acting performances.
The Krystian Dulewicz Special Award for Best Cinematography, accompanied by a cash prize funded by the FILMFORUM Association, went to Mateusz Gzel for his work on SYN SZCZĘŚCIA (SON OF HAPPINESS), directed by Dominik Mirecki. The Jury recognized his sensitive observation of the world around him and his ability to translate that sensitivity into a compelling visual language. The award was accepted on the cinematographer’s behalf by the film’s director.
AVE EVA captured the hearts of both the Jury and festivalgoers. This year’s Audience Award was presented to its director, Agnieszka Nowosielska, who took to the stage to collect her second statuette of the evening.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE JAN MACHULSKI AWARDS
Nominations for the prestigious Jan Machulski Awards went to:
- Best Director – Jan Bujnowski for TANIEC W NAROŻNIKU (DANCE IN THE CORNER)
- Best Screenplay – Agnieszka Nowosielska for AVE EVA
- Best Cinematography – Max Bugajak for PRZYBIEŻELI (THEY CAME RUNNING), directed by Bartosz Brzeziński
- Best Editing – Kosma Kowalczyk for TANIEC W NAROŻNIKU (DANCE IN THE CORNER), directed by Jan Bujnowski
- Best Actress – Zofia Zoń for AVE EVA, directed by Agnieszka Nowosielska
- Best Actor – Jan Skiba for SYN SZCZĘŚCIA (SON OF HAPPINESS), directed by Dominik Mirecki
- Best Documentary – Michał Edelman and Tomasz Pawlik for ŚWIEŻAK (FRESHMAN)
- Best Animated Film – Weronika Szyma for DROGI LEO SOKOLOSKY (DEAR LEO SOKOLOSKY)
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
The Jury, led by Jan P. Matuszyński and comprising Magdalena Kamińska and Mara Tamkovich, awarded the Platinum Archer – Grand Prix of the International Short Film Competition and a cash prize from the Mayor of Radom, Mr. Radosław Witkowski, to the animated film I DIED IN IRPIN, directed by Anastasiia Falileieva. The film reveals the human dimension of war, depicting its profound effects on everyday lives. Jurors praised its raw honesty, genuine voice, and bold approach to telling a deeply moving, personal story.
An honorable mention was also awarded to ILY, BYE, directed by Taylor James, for its exhilarating energy, incisive humor, and strikingly memorable insights.
Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, and deep gratitude to the Jury for their dedication, thoughtful perspective, and inspiring verdicts. It was truly an honor to welcome you to our festival. We look forward to seeing you at the next edition!
FREEDOM Film Festival is organized by the FILMFORUM Association.
The strategic partner of the event is the Mazovian Voivodeship Self-Government.
The event is co-funded by the Polish Film Institute and the City of Radom.
The organization of events dedicated to the youth film industry was supported by funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage under the in-house program of the Centre for the Development of Creative Industries: Development of Creative Sectors.
Industry partners include the international consortium The FILMFORUM Group, Cinemahall (Ukraine), Malfamé Association (France), and Stiftelsen Amandusfestivalen (Norway).
The event is held under the honorary patronage of Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazovian Voivodeship.
The co-organizer of the event is the BORKI Cultural Center in Radom.
The organizational partner is the Mazovian Centre for Contemporary Art “Elektrownia” in Radom.
The festival’s logistics partner is KIA Plejada.
The official festival hotel is Hilton Garden Inn Radom, and the official festival club is PaTaThai Radom.
The main media patron is Radio Radom.