Dragon of Dragons 2026

Kim Longinotto to Receive the Dragon of Dragons Award 2026

She has made over 20 films exploring women’s lives across different continents. Her documentaries have opened major film events and received widespread acclaim at international festivals. This year, she will join the Kraków Film Festival to receive the Dragon of Dragons statuette, and to conduct a special masterclass. The event will be accompanied by a retrospective showcasing her most moving and inspiring film portraits of everyday heroines.

“I am proud that our most important award will go to an outstanding artist who has consistently placed women at the centre of her work, often well ahead of contemporary trends. She is the second documentary filmmaker after Helena Třeštíková to receive the Dragon of Dragons. Their working methods differ, but they are united by a deep respect for their subjects. It is a great pleasure to welcome her to Kraków,” – Krzysztof Gierat, Chair of the Programme Council of the Kraków Film Festival, justifies the decision.

Kim Longinotto is a graduate of the National Film and Television School in London and a recipient of numerous awards, including honours from Cannes, Sundance, the Berlinale, and the Kraków Film Festival. She began her career with Pride of Place, a critical portrait of her former boarding school, followed by Theatre Girls, documenting life in a hostel for homeless women. Since then, she has consistently explored women’s experiences across cultures and social systems.