15.
06.
2026.
Others
Others
The AMBER Award for short fiction went to Nadim Suleiman, a graduate of directing, for his SHORT FILM ABOUT WAR. Among the winners were our students and graduates.
The 45th Koszalin Film Debut Festival "Youth and Film" concluded on June 13th.
Congratulations to our students and graduates on their awards. Here's the verdict:
AMBER 2026 for a Short Fiction Film
A SHORT FILM ABOUT WAR dir. Nadim Suleiman, directing graduate Jury statement: For its refined, intelligent cinematic language and the discovery of a powerful new voice in Polish cinema, which in a personal way questions the experience of war and its impact on identity, we unanimously award the prize to "A Short Film About War."
SPECIAL MENTION for a short fiction film
DRAUGHTS, dir. Katarzyna Kosajda, directing student
Jury statement: For a pulsating, swinging journey through snapshots of everyday life. For a powerful portrait of a woman and a bittersweet ode to unrequited love.
AMBER 2026 for a Short Documentary Film
was awarded to Nadia Szymańska (graduate of cinematography) and Sara Szymańska (graduate of animated film) for directing the film entitled: TWIN DAYS.
Jury statement: For an intimate, warm and moving self-portrait and for a reflection on the tension between the need for closeness and the need for autonomy.
The AMBER 2026 Award for Cinematography in a Short Film
went to Sebastian Weber (cinematography graduate) for his cinematography in the film A SHORT FILM ABOUT WAR, directed by Nadim Suleiman.
Jury statement: For a multi-layered visual narrative which builds the protagonist's duality.
GREAT AMBER 2026 for a Full-length Debut Fiction Film (award for the director)
NO GHOSTS ON GOOD STREET dir. Emi Buchwald (directing graduate)
Jury statement: For unpretentiousness in presenting the world, for a love letter to brothers and sisters, for creating a safe base and for the spirits that are there but are not.
2026 Stanisław Różewicz Amber Award for Directing
went to Robert Kwilman, directing graduate, for directing the film CAPO.
Jury statement: For consistent and mature directing, for excellent directing of actors, for a non-journalistic treatment of an important topic.
AMBER 2026 for the special creative contribution of a debutant Anna Koc-Wittels, graduate of editing, for editing the film entitled: ZNAKI PANA ŚLIWKI (dir. Urszula Morga, Bartosz Mikołajczak).
Jury statement: For the editing of a film which meticulously intertwines the subject's work and personal life, creating a sensitive and multifaceted portrait of an artist who himself wouldn't want to be called such. It's a portrait which stays with the viewer long after the screening, resonating with its honesty and humour. The award is presented for creating a profound and moving story built from a conversation with the subject and the masterful use of archival materials: unique home recordings by Mr. Śliwka, newsreels, advertisements, and graphic symbols. All these elements contribute to a coherent, tender narrative.
AMBER 2026 (for female energy) for the most energetic female role - an award sponsored by ENERGA Grupa Orlen: Maja Szopa (the role of Panda), Zofia Dobkowska (the role of Patrycja), and the film's director, Aleksandra Góralewska – a graduate of directing.
Jury statement: For an unconventional, wild, and yet incredibly authentic portrayal of female characters. For the female creators on both sides of the camera, whose performances pulsate with energy and stay with the viewer for a long time. The jury decided to award the Amber Award for the most energetic female role to the creators of the film YOGURT.
AMBER 2026 for Editing – Award from Editorium and the Polish Association of Film Editors PSM
went to Mateusz Jarmulski, an animation graduate, and Aleksandra Rosset-Żak, a graduate of editing and the Doctoral student at the Polish National Film School (PWSFTviT), for their film FANATYK
Jury statement: For a unique awareness of the language of cinema and an unconventional approach to form. For courage and freshness in building narrative through editing.
AMBER 2026 for the best Teatroteka
Jan Bujnowski – graduate of directing and doctoral student, for Teatroteka entitled: ZERO.
Jury statement: For the subtle and insightful treatment of a brutal and painfully true text which touches on one of the greatest concerns of the contemporary world. For the wonderful direction of the young actors and the selection of staging devices which make the fourth wall disappear for the viewer in this video theatre. Although we are only in one room with the main characters, we feel the abyss of their past and the fear of what is to come. Their fear seems to be an experience familiar to us all. The characters briefly find their safe haven in art, reminding us that it is still the best tool for describing and understanding humanity.
SPECIAL MENTION for outstanding creative contribution by a debutant.
The award went to the acting group of Hanna Sągolewska, Marianna Wierzchosławska, and Adam Wojciechowski – students of the Acting Department – for their Teatroteka production: ZERO, directed by Jan Bujnowski.
Jury statement: For the actor's sensitivity, openness, inner strength, and extraordinary maturity, thanks to which the on-screen presence becomes an authentic experience. And also for documentary asceticism and wonderful teamwork, which resulted in the creation of a multi-dimensional, moving portrait of contemporary teenagers in crisis.
AUDIENCE AWARD FOR A FULL-LENGTH FEATURE FILM
BOY, AT THE END OF THE WORLD directed by Grzegorz Wacławek and Marta Szymańska – animation film graduate.
AMBER 2026 Award from the Association of Women Filmmakers for a full-length film presenting the world from a female perspective in a full-length feature or documentary debut.
"KUMOTRY" directed by Emilia Śniegoska – graduate of directing.
Jury statement: For a universal story about the extraordinary friendship of 70-year-old girls who, despite difficult experiences, maintain their cheerful spirit and evoke smiles and positive envy in us. We're rooting for them and believing that they'll finally find a man to mow the lawn. We thank the debuting female team for beautifully dispelling the "old woman".
Full list of winners of the 45th Youth and Film Festival: mlodziifilm.pl/wydarzenia,322,1981,1,Laureaci-45-KFDF-Mlodzi-i-Film
Congratulations!
photos: Sylwia Olszewska, Tomasz Majewski / festival press materials
Congratulations to our students and graduates on their awards. Here's the verdict:
AMBER 2026 for a Short Fiction Film
A SHORT FILM ABOUT WAR dir. Nadim Suleiman, directing graduate Jury statement: For its refined, intelligent cinematic language and the discovery of a powerful new voice in Polish cinema, which in a personal way questions the experience of war and its impact on identity, we unanimously award the prize to "A Short Film About War."
SPECIAL MENTION for a short fiction film
DRAUGHTS, dir. Katarzyna Kosajda, directing student
Jury statement: For a pulsating, swinging journey through snapshots of everyday life. For a powerful portrait of a woman and a bittersweet ode to unrequited love.
AMBER 2026 for a Short Documentary Film
was awarded to Nadia Szymańska (graduate of cinematography) and Sara Szymańska (graduate of animated film) for directing the film entitled: TWIN DAYS.
Jury statement: For an intimate, warm and moving self-portrait and for a reflection on the tension between the need for closeness and the need for autonomy.
The AMBER 2026 Award for Cinematography in a Short Film
went to Sebastian Weber (cinematography graduate) for his cinematography in the film A SHORT FILM ABOUT WAR, directed by Nadim Suleiman.
Jury statement: For a multi-layered visual narrative which builds the protagonist's duality.
GREAT AMBER 2026 for a Full-length Debut Fiction Film (award for the director)
NO GHOSTS ON GOOD STREET dir. Emi Buchwald (directing graduate)
Jury statement: For unpretentiousness in presenting the world, for a love letter to brothers and sisters, for creating a safe base and for the spirits that are there but are not.
2026 Stanisław Różewicz Amber Award for Directing
went to Robert Kwilman, directing graduate, for directing the film CAPO.
Jury statement: For consistent and mature directing, for excellent directing of actors, for a non-journalistic treatment of an important topic.
AMBER 2026 for the special creative contribution of a debutant Anna Koc-Wittels, graduate of editing, for editing the film entitled: ZNAKI PANA ŚLIWKI (dir. Urszula Morga, Bartosz Mikołajczak).
Jury statement: For the editing of a film which meticulously intertwines the subject's work and personal life, creating a sensitive and multifaceted portrait of an artist who himself wouldn't want to be called such. It's a portrait which stays with the viewer long after the screening, resonating with its honesty and humour. The award is presented for creating a profound and moving story built from a conversation with the subject and the masterful use of archival materials: unique home recordings by Mr. Śliwka, newsreels, advertisements, and graphic symbols. All these elements contribute to a coherent, tender narrative.
AMBER 2026 (for female energy) for the most energetic female role - an award sponsored by ENERGA Grupa Orlen: Maja Szopa (the role of Panda), Zofia Dobkowska (the role of Patrycja), and the film's director, Aleksandra Góralewska – a graduate of directing.
Jury statement: For an unconventional, wild, and yet incredibly authentic portrayal of female characters. For the female creators on both sides of the camera, whose performances pulsate with energy and stay with the viewer for a long time. The jury decided to award the Amber Award for the most energetic female role to the creators of the film YOGURT.
AMBER 2026 for Editing – Award from Editorium and the Polish Association of Film Editors PSM
went to Mateusz Jarmulski, an animation graduate, and Aleksandra Rosset-Żak, a graduate of editing and the Doctoral student at the Polish National Film School (PWSFTviT), for their film FANATYK
Jury statement: For a unique awareness of the language of cinema and an unconventional approach to form. For courage and freshness in building narrative through editing.
AMBER 2026 for the best Teatroteka
Jan Bujnowski – graduate of directing and doctoral student, for Teatroteka entitled: ZERO.
Jury statement: For the subtle and insightful treatment of a brutal and painfully true text which touches on one of the greatest concerns of the contemporary world. For the wonderful direction of the young actors and the selection of staging devices which make the fourth wall disappear for the viewer in this video theatre. Although we are only in one room with the main characters, we feel the abyss of their past and the fear of what is to come. Their fear seems to be an experience familiar to us all. The characters briefly find their safe haven in art, reminding us that it is still the best tool for describing and understanding humanity.
SPECIAL MENTION for outstanding creative contribution by a debutant.
The award went to the acting group of Hanna Sągolewska, Marianna Wierzchosławska, and Adam Wojciechowski – students of the Acting Department – for their Teatroteka production: ZERO, directed by Jan Bujnowski.
Jury statement: For the actor's sensitivity, openness, inner strength, and extraordinary maturity, thanks to which the on-screen presence becomes an authentic experience. And also for documentary asceticism and wonderful teamwork, which resulted in the creation of a multi-dimensional, moving portrait of contemporary teenagers in crisis.
AUDIENCE AWARD FOR A FULL-LENGTH FEATURE FILM
BOY, AT THE END OF THE WORLD directed by Grzegorz Wacławek and Marta Szymańska – animation film graduate.
AMBER 2026 Award from the Association of Women Filmmakers for a full-length film presenting the world from a female perspective in a full-length feature or documentary debut.
"KUMOTRY" directed by Emilia Śniegoska – graduate of directing.
Jury statement: For a universal story about the extraordinary friendship of 70-year-old girls who, despite difficult experiences, maintain their cheerful spirit and evoke smiles and positive envy in us. We're rooting for them and believing that they'll finally find a man to mow the lawn. We thank the debuting female team for beautifully dispelling the "old woman".
Full list of winners of the 45th Youth and Film Festival: mlodziifilm.pl/wydarzenia,322,1981,1,Laureaci-45-KFDF-Mlodzi-i-Film
Congratulations!
photos: Sylwia Olszewska, Tomasz Majewski / festival press materials