The film by Aliaksandr Tsymbaliuk received the Best Mid-length Documentary Award, while Wojciech Węglarz’s short production earned a Special Mention. These works produced by Munk Studio impressed the jury at Bulgaria’s IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival.

Held in Varna, Bulgaria, IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival is one of the most important and prestigious short film festivals worldwide. It is a qualifying event for BAFTA, Goya, and the European Film Awards, which further emphasises its high standing. The festival provides a platform for talented filmmakers from across the globe, showcasing a broad spectrum of genres – from fiction and animation to documentary and experimental forms. IN THE PALACE offers not only film screenings but also a rich programme for film professionals, including workshops and panels, fostering networking opportunities and the development of emerging filmmakers.

Aliaksandr Tsymbaliuk's awarded film was made on the remote shores of the Bering Sea, where time appears to have stopped. Koka follows a father and son who try to make a living by fishing. They live in austere, almost ascetic conditions dictated by the rhythm of their catches. Under his father's watchful eye, young Koka absorbs the vital skills needed to survive in this unforgiving corner of the world. Yet when relieved of his duties, he retreats into the carefree realm of childhood. The result is a tenderly crafted portrait of a father-son relationship, where love and care interweave with discipline and rigour.

In Europe's oldest forest, a large fence marks the border between Poland and Belarus. Its purpose is to impede refugees from entering the European Union. But what collateral damage does it cause? Wojciech Węglarz's short film Bloodline adopts a clever, thought-provoking perspective by focusing not on people, but on a single European bison.

The complete list of awarded films can be found here.

JULY 2025