The first weekend of the summer holidays was a real documentary feast for the Tricity. The 14th edition of Gdańsk DocFilm Festival was held on 23th-26th June, at the European Solidarity Centre. The event with the Dignity and work motto is focused on the themes of widely understood issues of a dignified life of workers as well as human rights.

26 competition films were presented during this year’s edition of the festival. The awarding ceremony of this year's edition of Gdańsk Docfilm Festival was held on Sunday, 26th June. This year’s awards and special mentions were granted by three members of jury. Paweł Woldan, a director and a script writer, was its president. He was accompanied by a film journalist, Magdalena Sendecka and Klaus Schmutzer, a German TV and film producer.

A German-Colombian-Swiss co-production, “Good Life” by Jens Schanze was the winner of the main award. The authors of the winning film received the Gate of Freedom as well as a monetary award of PLN 20,000 funded by the mayor of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz. The award was given: for a tale of a struggle for dignity and identity which moves the European consciences. The film shows the greediness, cynicism and pride of those who try to shape the world according to their recipe for happiness. The winning documentary depicts a small town of Tamaquito situated in the forest area of Colombia and its inhabitants, the Wayuu community. Its members have lived on what nature gives them for centuries. The rapid expansion of coal industry, which supplies the power plants around the world changes their life diametrically. Wayuu start struggling for survival.

The jury also awarded 4 films with special mentions. The first one went to “Piano” by Vita Maria Drygas: for showing the power and helplessness of art in a subtle artistic form and for reaching the non-obvious truth about war and revolution through showing a unique character – a music instrument.

The Austrian-Bolivian “Cerro Rico – The Silver Mountain” by Armin Thalhammer was awarded for a respectful tale of excruciating and dangerous work, which becomes the theme of the characters’ lives and the source of their dignity.

Aleksandra-Maciuszek received a special mention for a Polish-Cuban-Mexican co-production, “Casa Blanca”: for showing a close, intimate relationship of a mother and her son, through touching images.

The last special mention went to “Body Team 12”, a Liberian documentary by David Darg: for a reportage-like, but exceptionally emotional tale of silent heroism without pathos.

“Call Me Marianna” by Karolina Bielawska won the audience award.

Apart from that, the festival jury chose the candidates for the Jan Machulski Young Cinema Award from among the Polish competition films.

There were the following categories of the nominations:
Best Documentary – “Piano” by Vita Maria Drygas
Best Direction – “Call Me Marianna” by Karolina Bielawska
Best Cinematography – “Football Brothers” by Marcin Filipowicz
Best Editing – “End of the World” by Monika Pawluczuk

The awarding ceremony of the 14th Gdańsk Docfilm Festival ended with a screening of the film, which won the main award, “Good Life”.