Tofifest Opening: Magdalena Czerwińska Receives the Marshal’s Film Award
Actress Magdalena Czerwińska, a native of Toruń, has become the 25th recipient of the Pola Negri Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Film Award. The opening gala of the 24th BellaTOFIFEST International Film Festival in Toruń on Saturday (27 June) also featured the presentation of the festival’s prestigious Golden Angel awards.
The opening ceremony took place at the CKK Jordanki concert and congress centre. The festival was officially inaugurated by Deputy Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Zbigniew Ostrowski and Mayor of Toruń Paweł Gulewski.
“Today marks the culmination of a year’s work – countless creative conversations, easier and more challenging moments alike. We are delighted to have reached this point and to welcome you all,” said Kafka Jaworska, Director of BellaTOFIFEST.
Marshal’s Film Award
The evening’s highest regional honour, the Pola Negri Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Film Award, was presented to Magdalena Czerwińska.
“I feel as though I’m constantly running. Sometimes I stumble and fall, but I always get up and keep going,” said the actress upon receiving the award. “I’m deeply grateful that this distinction has allowed me to feel seen. It means a great deal to stand here today and say how important it is for every person to feel noticed.”
Born in Toruń, Czerwińska graduated from the city’s 5th Secondary School (V LO) and developed her artistic talents in local theatre groups Spięty Teatr Spinaczy and Studio P. She later graduated from the National Academy of Theatre Arts in Kraków and has been associated for many years with Warsaw’s Dramatic Theatre.
She gained national recognition for her role in The Mole (Kret, 2010), followed by her portrayal of Zbigniew Religa’s wife in Gods (Bogowie, 2014). She has also appeared in numerous television productions, including The Behaviourist, The Roar, Infamy and The Profiler. Twice nominated for the Zbyszek Cybulski Award, she received the festival’s Flisak Award in 2009 for an uncompromising artist connected with the region.
Golden Angels Presented
The festival also honoured leading figures of Polish and European cinema with its Golden Angel awards.
The Golden Angel for a Lady of Polish Cinema was presented to Dorota Stalińska, an icon of Polish cinema of the 1980s, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her artistic career.
“There are moments in every person’s life like this one—moving and unforgettable. But there are also painful moments. Perhaps life is about learning to let go of those difficult experiences as quickly as possible,” she said.
Two Golden Angels for Artistic Rebellion were awarded to Agata Kulesza and Tomasz Schuchardt.
“At first I was surprised, because I see myself as quite a humble actress,” said Kulesza. “Then I realised that perhaps this award recognises staying true to yourself and having the courage to pursue this profession in your own way.”
Schuchardt, who earlier this year received the Polish Film Award for Best Leading Actor for his performance in A Good Home (Dom dobry), added:
“Thank you for this award and for all the adventures so far. I hope many more lie ahead. What is artistic rebellion? I think it’s something worth following in art. I may not always achieve it, but I’ve never been one to simply follow the crowd.”
The Golden Angel for a European Actress went to Agata Turkot, recognised for her acclaimed performance as Gośka, a victim of domestic violence in A Good Home.
“I hope the issue we address in the film—domestic violence—will once again receive the attention it deserves. I hope we will learn to notice one another, not turn away, and never pretend we do not see someone else’s suffering,” she said.
She concluded with a smile:
“I believe in angels, and I hope this Golden Angel will guide me in some way.”
Festival Continues Until 3 July
The 24th BellaTOFIFEST International Film Festival runs until 3 July, with screenings taking place at CKK Jordanki, Cinema City, Dwór Artusa Cultural Centre, and four open-air cinema venues across Toruń.
This year’s festival theme is Terry Gilliam’s cult science-fiction thriller 12 Monkeys, starring Bruce Willis. The Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Government is the festival’s main partner.
The festival will conclude with the presentation of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Film Award to actor Łukasz Simlat.
Dariusz Czołgowski
Department of Promotion
29 June 2026
