Agata Turkot Wins Prestigious Award for Her Role in “The Good House”
Agata Turkot has received the Zbyszek Cybulski Award for talented young actors for her role in the film “The Good House”, which was partnered by the Self-Government of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.
The jury’s verdict was announced on Monday, January 26, during a gala held at the Iluzjon Cinema in Warsaw, hosted by actor Eryk Kulm – a laureate of our Pola Negri Film Award. Earlier, five young actors had received nominations. The 2025 Zbyszek Cybulski Award was presented to Agata Turkot for her portrayal of Gośka – a victim of domestic violence – in Wojciech Smarzowski’s widely discussed film “The Good House.”
“I am truly deeply happy that I met Wojtek Smarzowski, and I wish every actor – especially a young actor – to find such a Wojtek on their path, because it is something extraordinary to be able to create something with someone you feel such a strong connection with,” the award winner said after receiving the prize. “Last year was exceptionally difficult for me in terms of professional rejection and unpleasant situations, which makes it all the more meaningful that I can stand here today holding this award.”
Smarzowski’s latest work was the most-watched Polish film of the past year. Since its premiere on November 7, it has attracted more than 2.4 million cinema-goers. The film’s partner is the Self-Government of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region – “The Good House” was co-financed by the Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund. Entities and individuals from the region were involved in the production, which was handled by the Bydgoszcz-based company Lucky Bob.
Agata Turkot graduated from the Acting Department of the Łódź Film School. Her credits include roles in the TV series “Na noże,” “Leśniczówka,” and “Na dobre i na złe,” as well as films such as “Wesele,” “The Taming of the Shrew 2, or Much Ado About Nothing,” and “Irena’s Vow.” She also received a Special Jury Award at the Warsaw Film Festival for her role in “The Good House.” “It is important to start talking, to be aware that violence exists and to understand what it is. The point is that we see one another more clearly, become more sensitive to one another, and stop being afraid or ashamed to react,” the actress said during the film’s October premiere at Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz.
The recipient of the Zbyszek Cybulski Award receives a statuette designed by Paweł Althamer and a cash prize of PLN 10,000 from the Polish Film Institute.
The jury consisted of actress Magdalena Czerwińska, actor Jakub Gierszał (the 2011 award recipient), film journalist Anna Kempys, director Magdalena Łazarkiewicz, and director Maciej Sobieszczański.
Last year’s winner was Julian Świeżewski for his role in the film “White Courage.” Previous laureates include such renowned figures as Krystyna Janda, Olgierd Łukaszewicz, Marek Kondrat, Zbigniew Zamachowski, Artur Żmijewski, Marcin Dorociński, Kinga Preis, and Maciej Stuhr.
The Zbyszek Cybulski Award
This is a prestigious film award presented from 1969 to 1995 by the magazine Ekran to young actors “distinguished by outstanding individuality,” in the spirit of its patron – Polish cinema icon Zbigniew Cybulski. The initiator was film critic, journalist, and screenwriter Wiesława Czapińska. The first recipient was Daniel Olbrychski. In 2005, after a ten-year hiatus, the award was revived by the Kino Foundation (publisher of the monthly Kino). A chapter was established to approve nominations, while the laureate is selected annually by a jury composed of prominent cultural figures.
Nominations for the 2025 Zbyszek Cybulski Award
- Bartłomiej Deklewa for his role in “There Are No Ghosts in the Apartment on Dobra Street”
- Sebastian Dela for his role in “Clowns”
- Izabella Dudziak for her role in “There Are No Ghosts in the Apartment on Dobra Street”
- Karolina Rzepa for her role in “There Are No Ghosts in the Apartment on Dobra Street”
- Agata Turkot for her role in “The Good House”
Department of Promotion
January 27, 2026