“PIANOFORTE” WINS THE EMMY AWARD!
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – the world's largest organisation uniting leading figures from all sectors of the television industry across more than sixty countries – has awarded one of its coveted prizes to Jakub Piątek's documentary. The film received the prestigious statuette in the Arts Programming category.
The International Emmy Awards are esteemed accolades presented by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. They recognise outstanding television productions from outside the United States, celebrating creativity in categories such as drama, comedy, documentary programmes, and children's television. The annual awards gala, held in New York City, draws creators and the TV industry representatives from across the globe. These distinctions aim to promote cultural diversity and acknowledge the achievements of international productions. The International Emmys are the global counterpart to the traditional Emmy Awards, focusing on the worldwide television market.
Pianoforte is the first Polish documentary ever to be nominated for this prestigious award. To date, only two Polish films have been honoured by the Academy. In 2007, The Magic Tree won an International Emmy®, while Seven Gates of Jerusalem received a nomination in 2009. For Telemark, one of Poland's leading film production companies, this isn't their first brush with the International Emmy® Awards. In 2021, Kubrick by Kubrick, co-produced by Telemark and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, took the coveted prize home.
Pianoforte tells a gripping tale about the young participants of the legendary Chopin Competition on the cusp of adulthood. The film's protagonists, aged 16 to 30, hail from all corners of the world. They all have one thing in common – a lifelong dedication to playing the piano. Their struggles form an emotional rollercoaster as they enter adulthood while grappling with the immense pressure of the competition. For the first time in the competition's history, a film crew was allowed behind the scenes at the National Philharmonic to such a large extent, capturing the omnipresent tension. Jakub Piątek also accompanies the protagonists in their daily lives, presenting a multifaceted portrait of talented individuals with extraordinary personalities. The film's was shot – among other locations – in China, Russia, and Italy.
You can read more about the awards here.