“SILENT TREES” WINS BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The documentary “Silent Trees”, directed by Agnieszka Zwiefka and already distinguished at numerous international festivals, has received another accolade. During the Festival International de Cinéma et Mémoire Commune (FICMEC) in Nador, the film was awarded the prize for Best Documentary Film.
FICMEC is a annual film event held in Nador, Morocco. The festival was established to foster dialogue through cinema and places particular emphasis on themes of memory, transitional justice, and peace. The 2025 edition, taking place from 15 to 20 November, was devoted to the theme “The Memory of Peace”, highlighting diverse understandings of peace – from the mere absence of war to the rejection of all forms of violence.
“Silent Trees” tells the story of 16-year-old Kurdish girl Runa who, following the tragic death of her mother on the Polish-Belarusian border, must suddenly assume adult responsibilities, caring for her four younger brothers and her depressed, helpless father. In a refugee camp, the family struggles with trauma, uncertainty about the future, and the threat of deportation. Runa’s refuge becomes her sketchbook, where she records her anxieties through unsettling drawings that chart her journey into premature adulthood against the backdrop of a global migration crisis. The film combines documentary footage with animation, offering a moving portrait of fragile maturity and the power of imagination.
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