After 5 years of war in Syria the remaining 350.000 citizens of Aleppo are preparing for a siege.

Through the volunteers from The White Helmets organization we experience daily life, death and struggle in the streets of Aleppo. They fight for sanity where war has become the norm.

“Last Men in Aleppo” (dir. Feras Fayyad) is the winner of the Millennium Docs Against Gravity Grand Prix in the Main Competition (the Bank Millennium Award). The jury’s justification was as follows: “The film allows you to show a deeper and more complex image of reality than hundreds of media news reports would.

The film, which has moved us the most, shows not only a great drama in a seemingly remote part of the world but, above all, people who choose heroic conduct over an escape from an overwhelming threat.

Their struggle to maintain their humanity makes us ask ourselves questions about the limits of sacrificing ourselves for others and engagement in conflicts which seem not to concern us”.

“Last Men in Aleppo” is also the winner of the Warsaw Documentary Award – granted by the audience of the 14th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival. The film has also received the Mayor of Gdynia Award and the Bydgoszcz ART/DOC Award at the 14^th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival.

Feras Fayyad’s film has premiered in Polish movie theaters on the 30^th of June. 1 PLN from each ticket is dedicated to the activities of the Polish Humanitarian Organization in Syria.

Jury’s justification for the verdict:

“This year’s edition’s of Docs Against Gravity’s jury decided to grant one main award and two special mentions. There were 14 films at the festival and a third of them was considered as potential candidates for the Mayor of Gdynia Award! What was our assessment of the competition films driven by? We were interested in the theme of human lot and humans’ position in today’s world. We still believe that the documentary filmmakers’ task is to pick up taboo subjects which often are difficult and unknown to the general public. If they are show to the world, the world may become a better place. It was a difficult choice for us. We have chosen the images whose authors enchanted us with their personal approach to the subjects. They not only showed deep empathy but also proved they have their own artistic languages.

Second Special Mention: “Machines” – a special mention for social engagement. A depiction of ruthless exploitation of one man by another as well as extreme social differences which still exist today. A film about poverty of the adults and children who work for meagre wages in a 12 hour shift system. The image has a very charming form – fantastic colours and cinematography.

First Special Mention: “The Good Postman” – for the ability of observation and the director’s sensitivity in following the lives of the inhabitants of a small Bulgarian town on the Turkish border. They are faced with a difficult dilemma whether to accept immigrants for Syria. The title character sees a chance for the town’s development in the settlement of the foreign newcomers, as the place has been abandoned by nearly all young people.

The first place goes to “Last Men in Aleppo” for the authors’ sensitivity and bravery in documenting the fates of people in the besieged city beset by bombings. The film takes us to the present and authentic reality of war and tells the stories of two characters who help others selflessly. The image reveals the real tragedy of Syrians – the civilians who die in the rubble of Aleppo in front of the silent world’s eyes”.

The Mayor of Gdynia Award is yet another honour for the “Last Men In Aleppo” film granted during the 14th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival. In Warsaw, the film won the Grand Prix of the Main Competition of the 14th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival – the Millennium Award and Euro 8,000. The Award was founded by Millennium Bank and Polish Film Institute. The Warsaw audience has also voted for the film, granting it the Warsaw Documentary Award funded by the Office of Culture of the Capital City of Warsaw which amounted to Euro 2,000.

Feras Fayyad’s film has also received the Bydgoszcz ART/DOC Award as well as Euro 1,500. 14th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival in Bydgoszcz is co-financed by the Municipal Office of Bydgoszcz and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.

The Lower Silesia Grand Prix Award – the Lower Silesia Province’s Marshal’s Award was granted to “Last Men In Aleppo”.

“For a unique and personal character of the film which provokes strong emotion, for ‘freeing the minds’ fronm a temporary view as well as journalistic oversimplifications, for consequence and skilful production” – says the justification of the jury members’ (Magdalena Wichrowska, Marcin Sauter and Artur Owczarczak) decision.

The Bydgoszcz ART/DOC Award was granted for the first time in the history of Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival. The event is co-financed by  The Municipal Office of Bydgoszcz and  Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. The WSB Universities in Bydgoszcz are the festival’s local strategic partner. Supporting partner: Municipal Centre of Culture in Bydgoszcz. The event is organised by the Art-House Foundation.

2. “Strike a Pose” (dir. Ester Gould, Reijer Zwaan)

3. Joint position: “Marriage Story” (dir. Helena Třeštíková) and “La Chana” (dir. Lucija Stojevic)

4. “Happy Olo – The Merry Tale of Olek Doba” (dir. Krzysztof Paweł Bogocz, Marcin Macuk)

The jury awarded “The Good Postman” for “a skilful focusing on the biggest problems of today’s world in one image: aversion to refugees, the mechanisms of populism, rural societies dying out, the arrogance of the authority, ageing society, poverty and the problems of borderland societies.

For a subtle, but powerful voice on refugees.

For a deeply humanistic perspective in which man still counts and bad life conditions do not deprive him or her of the power to act. For reminding us that a man can always take decisions which affect reality, even if he or she loses.

For the tender irony in portraying the characters, in whom we can see our politicians, neighbours or friends.

The jury has appreciated the critical dimension of the film as well as is perfect production within its genre. It combines journalism with literary parable and anecdotal character with realism.

For the facet that the filmmakers let us get to know the good postman – a character, who looks after what he believes in, is wise and sensitive to other people’s problems.

For its warmth, humour and intelligence.”

The jury also granted an honourable mention to the film “Last Men in Aleppo”. “For a powerful, radical, painfully true voice which should be heard by all. For a shocking documentary which shows people’s cruelty and courage, stupidity and nobleness. For showing things we usually turn our eyes away from.

We would like to dedicate this honourable mention to Khaled’s daughters, hoping that the world in which they grow up will become better one day” – says the jury’s justification of the verdict.

“Co Jest Grane 24” readers award

The “Co Jest Grane 24” readers who were voting in Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdynia and Bydgoszcz decided to grant the award and Euro 2,000 to the film “Happy Olo – The Merry Tale of Olo Doba” (dir. Krzysztof Paweł Bogocz, Marcin Macuk)

The jury’s justification for the Millennium Grand Prix Award

Film allows you to show a deeper and more complex image of reality than hundreds of media news reports would.

The film which has moved us the most shows not only a great drama in a seemingly remote part of the world but, above all, people who choose heroic conduct over an escape from an overwhelming threat.

Their struggle to maintain their humanity makes us ask ourselves questions about the limits of sacrificing ourselves for others and engagement in conflicts which seem not to concern us.

Jury’s justification for granting the film “Good Postman” a special mention:

For a tragicomic and insightful image of a small, disintegrating community, which becomes a touching metaphor of universal European problems.

Jury’s justification for granting the film “Safari” a special mention:

For the director’s technical perfection in showing vanity and ignorance as well as for the uncompromising presentation of a world we do not see in nature films.

Fiction/Non-Fiction Award

The decision concerning the verdict was taken by the jury composed of Marta Minorowicz, Syllas Tzoumerkas, Tomasz Wasilewski. The Fiction/Non-Fiction Award for the best film, which combines documentary and fiction as well as Euro 4,000 goes to the film “House in the Fields” (dir. Tala Hadid). The award is funded by the Polish Film Institute.

For skilfully converging documentary with fiction devices to narrate the deep emotions and the intimacy in two siblings’ separation, while presenting a dynamic understanding of woman’s position in the specific circumstances, the FICTION / NON – FICTION AWARD goes to Tala Hadid for “HOUSE IN THE FIELDS” – says the justification.

For “capturing the pulse of a metropolis today through the shreds of the lives of its inhabitants”, the BEST DIRECTOR AWARD goes to Piotr Stasik for “21 X NEW YORK”.

For “their original, unconventional and insightful approach to a boiling issue”, the jury creates and gives the BEST ACTOR / DIRECTOR COLLABORATION IN A FICTION / NON-FICTION FILM AWARD to Valentijn Dhaenens and Guido Henrickx for „STRANGER IN PARADISE”.

Amnesty International Award

The Amnesty International Award for the best film about human rights and  Euro 3,000 were granted by the jury composed of: Draginja Nadaždin, Mirosław Chojecki and Tadeusz Sobolewski. The winner film is “The War Show” (dir. Andreas Dalsgaard, Obaidah Zytoon).

The main award of Amnesty International’s Polish branch is granted to: “THE WAR SHOW” directed by Andreas Dalsgaard and Obaidah Zaytoon. The film shows the increasing conflict in Syria through the eyes of a young female DJ and her friends who participate in the Arab Spring protests and dream about freedom. It soon turns out that Syrians find themselves in an escalating violence trap and a deepening conflict which destroys society, kills entire cities and dashes the hopes of getting out of the regime’s oppression. The film has a universal message of fragile society easily destroyed by violence which inevitably leads to a civil war. It is also about an immortal dream of freedom, which, as it turns out, is not at our fingertips – say the jury members in the justification of their verdict.

Two films receive special mentions:

“STRANGER IN PARADISE”

“THE TRIAL. THE STATE OF RUSSIA VS. OLEG SENTSOV”

“STRANGER IN PARADISE” – “for an insight into the process, which determines the futures and lives of migrants and refuges who come to Europe. The process is based on often absurd regulations and authority. The film poses inconvenient questions about Europe’s migration policy and leaves both migrants and viewers with no illusions – the brutality and arbitrariness of the policy are extremely vivid”.

“THE TRIAL. THE STATE OF RUSSIA VS. OLEG SENTSOV” – “for an extraordinary depiction of Sentsov, a Ukrainian director who was sentenced in a show trial, through which he exposes the fact that Russian courts are not independent. The film shows the price he and his family pay but also the inspiring solidarity people in Russia, Ukraine and all over the world show him”.

 CHOPIN’S NOSE AWARD

The jury Composed of Anda Rottenberg, Agnieszka Obszańska and Wacław Zimpel made the decision to grant the award for the best music and art film and Euro 2,000 to the film “La Chana” (dir. Lucija Stojevic). The Chopin’s Nose Award is funded by the National Audiovisual Institute. “For the powerful and captivating image of an artist and a person, which shows the determination and strength of personality. For a captivating and inspirational story which proves that there are no limits for a true passion – says the jury’s justification for the verdict.

The film “Beuys” (dir. Andres Veiel) receives a special mention. “For an evocative story of an uncompromising artist which is very relevant today. Its theme, narration, form and message build a multidimensional tale, which  goes beyond the mere protagonist” – says the jury in its verdict’s justification.

“CO JEST GRANE 24” READERS’ CHOICE AWARD”

The “Co Jest Grane 24” readers who were voting in Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdynia and Bydgoszcz decided to grant the award and Euro 2,000 to the film „Happy Olo – The Merry Tale of Olo Doba” (dir. Krzysztof Paweł Bogocz, Marcin Macuk)

Green Warsaw Award

The jury composed of Leszek Drogosz, Justyna Kościńska and Nina Józefina Bąk granted the award for the best film on ecology and Euro 3,000 to the film “The Tipping Point. Energy aNew”, (dir. Łukasz Bluszcz). The award is funded by the Capital City of Warsaw Municipal Office.

Jury’s justification for the verdict: The Film “THE TIPPING POINT. ENERGY aNEW” deals with the global climate problems in a complex way, yet without growing heated.

It shows the truth about our country and its political elites being tangled in the ethos of mining which is seen as an important branch of the national economy. It also shows possible honourable solutions, which would suit everyone. It does not aspire to the form of a scientific lecture but it does not get away from scientific arguments.

The jury granted a special mention to the film “SEED: The Untold Story” (dir. Jon Betz, Taggart Siegel). The verdict justification says: The film “SEED: Untold Story” which shows the beauty and lushness of nature, at the same time highlighting the need to protect it receives a special mention.

A special mention is given to the film “IN THE NAME OF THE ANIMALS” (dir. Sabine Kückelmann) for an empathic and uncompromising depiction of the mechanism of extermination, by which modern societies take away millions of animal lives every day.

DOCUMENTARY ACADEMY AWARD

Intergenerational Jury, composed of high school students who cooperate with Documentary Academy and the participants of the program Archipelag Pokoleń (Archipelago of Generations) Grants the Documentary Academy Award to: “MONSTER IN THE MIND” (dir. Jean Carper).

Justification: “MONSTER IN THE MIND” is produced perfectly and has a dynamic editing. It presents a terrifying disease which Alzheimer’s is in a light, distanced and humorous way. It educates and opens our minds.

“Normal Autistic Film” (dir. Miroslav Janek) receives a special mention. Justification: “NORMAL AUTISTIC FILM” presents a group of children, who function… in a different way, which is not “abnormal” or “wrong”. It does not exaggerate the problem but raises awareness and provokes reflection.

This year’s edition will take place in five Polish cities: Warsaw (Kinoteka, Luna and Iluzjon cinemas), Wrocław (Dolnośląskie Centrum Filmowe), Gdynia (Gdyńskie Centrum Filmowe), Bydgoszcz (Kino Orzeł) and for the first time in Lublin (Centrum Spotkania Kultur). The 14^th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Documentary Film Festival will take place May 12-21 in Warsaw and Wrocław, May 11-21 in Lublin, and May 17-26 in Gdynia. Bydgoszcz will hold a local edition of the festival on the 16-21 of May.

“The ever-growing audience of the Millennium Docs Against Gravity shows that we have identified our viewers’ needs and gained their trust in our concept of the festival. (…) We present the world’s best documentary cinema. Curator-selected films, several dozens of organizations and media partners, a festival unique on a global scale – held simultaneously in five cities; what brings those elements together is our respect for the audiences. Our demanding audience is welcome to join the films-related debates, workshops and concerts”, adds Artur Liebhart, the festival’s director.

14 films will compete in the Main Competition to win the Bank Millennium Award

The competition will include 14 films. The jury consisting of Mariusz Grzegorzek, Jan P. Matuszyński and Agnieszka Traczewska will select the winner from among the most recent and outstanding documentary films. Among those featured in the Main Competition is the Oscar®-nominee “I Am Not Your Negro” – Raoul Peck’s story about racial segregation, persecution and  Afro-Americans fighting for their rights in the US, as well as Sergei Loznitsa’s latest film “Austerlitz”, a portrayal of how tourists visit memorial sites founded in former concentration camps.

The Main Competition will also feature Michael Glawogger’s latest film “Untitled” (directed together with Monika Willi). Another filmmaker very much appreciated by Polish audiences is Ulrich Seidl – this year’s edition will see the screening of his latest film “Safari” on Austrian trophy-hunters who take pleasure in shooting animals in an African reserve. In his new film “Zero days” the Oscar®-awarded director Alex Gibney reveals the phenomenon of Stuxnet – a self-replicating computer worm discovered by international IT experts in 2010.

Another film to be screened in the Main Competition tells the story of Joseph Beuys, German artist and art theorist whose work has shaped today’s thought on modern art (“Beuys” by Andreas Veiel). The competition also includes “Stranger In Paradise” by Guido Hendrikx, acclaimed by IDFA festival as “the best film about refugees in 2016”.

In his film “The Good Postman”, Tonislaw Hristow reflects on what it means to be European in an age of global displacement and shifting political systems. The documentary features a small village community living in Bulgaria on the Turkish border. “Machines” directed by Rahul Jain and awarded this year at Sundance, presents the appalling work conditions in one of the giant textile factories in India. “Last Men in Aleppo” by Feras Fayyada (Best Documentary Award at Sundance 2017) follows members of the White Helmets who search for life in the debris of a ruined Syrian city in the hope of rescuing people from under the rubble.

The audience of the 14^th Millennium Docs Against Gravity will see over 100 non-fiction films. Part of the programme explicitly refers to the „Free your mind” slogan – e.g. „Amateurs in Space” by Max Kestner (also featured in the Main Competition) about the first DIY space rocket in history to have been built by amateurs.

Thanks to the support of local authorities, the Wrocław, Gdynia, Lublin and Bydgoszcz editions of the Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival all have their own competitions as well. Awards include the Grand Prix of Dolny Śląsk to be granted during the Wrocław edition (jury composed of Agnieszka Wolny-Hamkało – poet, writer and journalist, Robert Gonera – actor, Konrad Imiela – actor, director and head of the Capitol Musical Theatre in Wrocław) and the Mayor of Gdynia Award (jury composed of Katarzyna Figura, saxophonist Mikołaj Trzaska, and film theorist – professor Mirosław Przylipiak).

Documentary Academy

As per each year, the DOCUMENTARY ACADEMY offers an educational programme based on documentary films and addressed to all audience groups. The festival will also feature special screenings for parents with small children, the OKI DOKI section (i.e. documentaries for kids), as well as workshops and cross-generational sessions.

The 14^th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival will take place on the 12-21 of May in Warsaw and Wrocław, on the 11-21 of May in Lublin, and on the 17-26 of May in Gdynia. A local edition of the festival will also be held in Bydgoszcz.

Rong Guang Rong’s film was declared the best Asian feature-length film in the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) section of the 46 th International Film Festival in Rotterdam (IFFR), one of the biggest festivals of documentary films in Europe. The film, which deals with the issue of child suicide in China, will be shown in Poland as part of the 14th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival.

This year’s edition of Millennium Docs Against Gravity will take place on 12-21 May in Warsaw, Wrocław, and Lublin, and on 17-26 May in Gdynia. A local edition of the event will also take place in Bydgoszcz.