Youth Lab Jury Award 2024
We are delighted to announce that the 2024 Cambridge Film Festival Youth Lab Jury has selected SILENT TREES, directed by Agnieszka Zwiefka, as its winning film.
This poignant documentary captures the struggles and resilience of a Kurdish refugee family, particularly focusing on 16-year-old Runa as they adapt to life in a Polish refugee camp after a harrowing journey from Belarus.
The Youth Lab Jury, a vital part of the Cambridge Film Festival's educational initiatives, comprises young people aged 16 to 24 who are passionate about film. The initiative helps build their film evaluation and criticism skills and enhances their understanding of the film industry through practical involvement in the Festival. The Y uth Lab provides a platform for the youth to engage in discussions, workshops, and networking with professionals, nurturing a new generation of cinephiles and film critics,
Since 2019 the Youth Lab has formed a jury during the Festival and selected their winning film, which they then host a screening of the following February.
The jury chose SILENT TREES for its compelling narrative and the effective way it highlights critical issues facing refugees, such as integration challenges and the loss of family members during migration.
This recognition by the Youth Lab Jury underscores the Festival's commitment to films that entertain, provoke thought, and foster a deeper understanding of global issues.