Cottbus is at present one of the most important festivals showing the cinematography of Central Europe. Every year, Poland is also represented at the German festival in a great number. During this year’s 22nd edition of the festival, the aforementioned "All Souls’ Day" by Aleksandra Terpińska was invited to the short film competition, and on Saturday evening it was acclaimed as the best film of the competition. In addition, in the Polish-German competition section U-18 there was another fiction film "Amigos forever" by Sylwester Jakimowski while "Mercy" by Eliza Subotowicz was shown in the non-competitive section. Every year, Cottbus gives out awards in eighteen competitive categories while the total sum of the financial awards reaches 80 thousand Euro.
To be born on All Souls’ Day. A paradox, which one has to face once a year for the entire life. A holiday and joy of the birthday, and boundless sadness after the ones who are gone. This is a day of life’s strength and death’s power. So, there are the lights on the grave and candles on the cake. In addition, this is a turning point, because the main protagonist has a plan related to explaining a certain mystery. During this birthday, Lena will try and solve some of her problems and… she will grow up.
The award in Cottbus is the first statuette for the film by Aleksandra Terpińska – a student of Krzysztof Kieślowski Radio and Tv Department of University of Silesia in Katowice. The film had its première in Germany.
It is worth mentioning that the festival’s Grand Prix went to Maria Sadowska for the film "Women’s day" produced by the Munka Studio. Among other Polish award-winners there was also Leszek Dawid. The winner of the last year’s edition of the festival received in Cottbus award for the Best Director for his film "You are God". The jury of the U-18 competition decided to give special award to Katarzyna Figura for her role of Halinka in the "Yuma" by Piotr Mularuk.
22nd edition of the festival took place from 6 to 11 November.
You can find out more about the festival on the official website of the Cottbus Film Festival