KRZYSZTOF NOWICKI’S “THREE CHANTS” WINS THE GRAND PRIX AT THE PÄRNU FILM FESTIVAL
Krzysztof Nowicki’s “Three Chants” has been awarded at the 40th Pärnu International Documentary and Science Film Festival in Estonia. The Polish documentary received one of the festival’s two main prizes, the Grand Prix for Best Artistic Achievement. The winners were presented with traditional ethnographic awards created by Riina Pull.
The film follows a community built around an open choir that welcomes everyone, regardless of profession, experience or singing ability. Among its members are Laura, an artist living with osteogenesis imperfecta, accompanied by her mother Małgosia; the irrepressibly optimistic Kamil; and Przemek, who loses daily contact with his children after a divorce. “Three Chants” is not, however, a conventional music documentary. Singing becomes a way of reclaiming one’s own voice, building relationships and finding comfort in the presence of others.
The Pärnu International Documentary and Science Film Festival was founded in 1987 by Lennart Meri and Mark Soosaar and describes itself as the oldest film festival in the Baltic countries. Initially focused primarily on visual anthropology and Indigenous cultures, its programme now also embraces social, artistic and scientific documentaries.
“Three Chants” is Krzysztof Nowicki’s feature-length documentary debut. The film was produced by Stowarzyszenie Koloroffon, while its international promotion is handled by KFF Sales.