The 16th EKRAN Toronto Polish Film Festival concluded on November 30, 2025, with a packed house at Innis Town Hall and an inspiring evening celebrating outstanding achievements in contemporary Polish cinema. Jurors across three competition categories recognized filmmakers whose artistry, storytelling, and performances made a lasting impression on audiences and the festival jury alike.
Below are the official award results and jury statements for Short Film, Documentary, and Feature Film competitions, followed by highlights from EKRAN’s elegant closing-night program.
Short Film Competition Winners
Jury: Anne Marie Perrault (Chair), Monika Ekiert, Natalie Remplakowski, Filip Terlecki, Sanjay Mohanta
Best Short Film — The Power of Resistance
Second Place — The Border
Special Mention — Love (Af)Fair
Jury Statement (Excerpt)
“Our jury unanimously selected The Power of Resistance for its remarkable performances, strong direction, and powerful portrayal of moral courage under political pressure. The Border impressed with its emotional resonance and nuanced storytelling. Love (Af)Fair was also highlighted for its heartfelt and skillfully executed narrative.”
Documentary Competition Winners
Jury: Margaret Bonikowska (Chair), André Kamehama, Angela Johnson, Adam Benish, Can Deniz Atıcı
Best Documentary — TRAINS (Pociągi), directed by Maciej Drygas
Honourable Mention — Bedrock, directed by Kinga Michalska
Jury Statement (Excerpt)
“TRAINS is a profoundly crafted visual essay, transforming archival footage into a poetic meditation on time, memory, and the human journey. Its emotional depth, exceptional editing, and conceptual coherence make it an extraordinary cinematic achievement. Bedrock earned its Honourable Mention for its intimate storytelling, exceptional cinematography, and the distinct and essential voice of director Kinga Michalska.”
Feature Film Competition Winners
Jury: Butch Kaplan (Chair), Richard Luke Rothschild, Bryen Dunn, Monika Onoszko, Frank Caruso, Ursula Terlecki
**Best Feature Film — Chopin Chopin!
Best Male Actor — Eryk Kulm (Chopin Chopin!)
Best Female Actress — Agata Turkot (Good Home – Dom Dobry)
Best Cinematography — Michał Sobociński (Chopin Chopin!)
Special Mention — Vinci 2 (Best Ensemble Cast)
This year’s feature competition showcased a powerful mix of creativity and craft, with Chopin Chopin! standing out as a clear favourite among jurors.
A Cinematic and Elegant Festival Finale
The closing night of EKRAN 2025 delivered one of the most compelling programs in the festival’s history. The evening opened with Sebastian Kwidziński’s short documentary Mother, followed by Tomasz Wolski’s A Year in the Life of a Country, introduced by acclaimed historian Professor Piotr Wróbel, whose contextual insights framed the film’s themes with depth and clarity.
The night continued with a special screening of the feature-length winner, Chopin: A Sonata in Paris, whose artistic vision and emotional resonance brought the cinematic portion of EKRAN 2025 to a memorable close.
Following the screenings, guests gathered for the festival’s celebratory closing reception — a warm and lively finale honouring filmmakers, audiences, volunteers, partners, and the entire EKRAN community.
Celebrating Creativity and Community
EKRAN 2025 showcased 37 films and welcomed record audiences across Toronto, Mississauga, and Hamilton. This year’s award winners reflect the remarkable depth, diversity, and innovation in contemporary Polish cinema. We congratulate all filmmakers, cast members, and creative teams whose work illuminated the screen throughout this exceptional festival edition.
