Top Highlights from Millennium Docs Against Gravity in Poland: Celebrating Winning Films Like ‘To Hold A Mountain’ and ‘A Fox Under A Pink Moon’

Millennium Docs Against Gravity (MDAG) concluded its 23rd edition, celebrating the best in international nonfiction film at its renowned festival in Poland.

Among the top honors, To Hold a Mountain, directed by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić, garnered the Grand Prix – Bank Millennium Award. The film, which follows two women in Montenegro as they fight to preserve their ancestral home from military development, builds on its earlier recognition as the Grand Jury Prize winner at Sundance.

The jury praised the documentary for immersing viewers in a “magical world” and for beautifully capturing the familial bond shared between the main characters amidst a stunning natural landscape. “The filmmakers quietly observed and captured every subtle detail of a story that speaks to the reunion of humanity with nature, portraying the profound role of family in shaping our identity,” the jury noted.

‘To Hold a Mountain’
MDAG

Special Mention in the international competition was awarded to A Fox Under a Pink Moon, directed by Mehrdad Oskouei and Soraya Akhlaghi. The jury described the film as “a beautiful portrait of a young female Afghani artist,” highlighting its themes of hope, resistance, and survival.

The film also secured the FIPRESCI Award, recognizing its ability to address pressing societal issues and provoke essential discussions about the human experience. The jury emphasized the importance of stories that transcend statistics, focusing on real people and their narratives.

‘A Fox Under a Pink Moon’
MDAG

Moreover, A Fox Under a Pink Moon received the Amnesty International Poland Award, showcasing its impact in realizing human rights through cinema.

The Best Editing Award was given to Time and Water, a documentary directed by Sara Dosa that reflects on climate change through glacial loss. The jury commended the film’s emotional resonance and intricate blend of family heritage and environmental history.

Strong winds lift snow off a glacial cap on a sunny day in Iceland in ‘Time and Water’
National Geographic

In another notable win, Closure, directed by Michał Marczak, received awards for Best Cinematography and the Arthouse Cinema Association Award in the Polish Competition. The jury called it a technically accomplished film that thoughtfully explores young people’s coming-of-age experiences.

Daniel, the protagonist of ‘Closure,’ on a bridge in Warsaw overlooking the Vistula River
MDAG

MDAG, Europe’s second-largest documentary film festival, is simultaneously held across seven Polish cities, including Warsaw and Wrocław, concluding its in-person phase on Sunday. It will remain available online from May 19 to June 1.

‘Mariinka’
MDAG

Further awards included Mariinka, winning top honors in both Gdynia and Poznań for its poignant portrayal of a Ukrainian community affected by prolonged conflict. Additionally, Bugboy took home the Bydgoszcz ART.DOC Award, celebrated for its inspiring depiction of resilience in coming-of-age journeys.

As the festival wraps, it promises to announce more awards, including the Audience Award, as well as recognitions from upcoming local events in Wrocław and Katowice.

MDAG continues to highlight powerful voices in documentary filmmaking, fostering a deeper understanding of contemporary issues through the lens of personal stories.