Polish Documentary 'Closure' Wins Top Prize at Thessaloniki Film Festival

The film, from director Michał Marczak, follows a father's obsessive search for his missing son.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:49pm

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Polish filmmaker Michał Marczak's documentary 'Closure' won the Golden Alexander award at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. The film follows a father's desperate search for his vanished teenage son and the devastating aftermath. Marczak's previous documentary 'All These Sleepless Nights' also premiered at Sundance in 2016 and won the directing prize in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.

Why it matters

Marczak's 'Closure' is being recognized as a powerful and emotionally resonant exploration of the human experience of loss and grief. The film's success at Thessaloniki highlights the festival's reputation for showcasing innovative and impactful documentary storytelling from around the world.

The details

The jury, comprised of film editor Dana Bunescu, curator Caroline Libresco, and producer Yorgos Papalios, awarded 'Closure' the Golden Alexander, praising the film for 'mobilizing cinema to the fullest degree' and giving audiences 'the experience of being one with the interior life of a father in an impossible state.' In his acceptance speech, Marczak thanked the film's central subject, Daniel, and his family for allowing him to tell their story.

  • The 28th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival ran from March 5-15, 2026.
  • Michał Marczak's 'Closure' premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier in 2026.

The players

Michał Marczak

A Polish filmmaker whose previous documentary 'All These Sleepless Nights' won the directing prize at Sundance in 2016.

Daniel

The central protagonist of 'Closure,' whose teenage son disappears without a trace.

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What they’re saying

“Closure' mobilizes cinema to the fullest degree, giving us the experience of being one with the interior life of a father in an impossible state, and making something radically present out of absence.”

— Dana Bunescu, Caroline Libresco, Yorgos Papalios, International Competition jury (Variety)

“This is a very important moment for the film.”

— Michał Marczak (Variety)

What’s next

The film is expected to continue its festival run and seek distribution following its success at Thessaloniki.

The takeaway

Marczak's 'Closure' has been praised for its powerful exploration of grief and loss, showcasing the director's ability to craft emotionally resonant documentary storytelling. The film's Golden Alexander win at Thessaloniki further cements the festival's reputation for highlighting innovative and impactful non-fiction cinema.