There are artists who simply cannot be overlooked. With their sensitivity, charisma, and exceptional craft, they create unforgettable roles and bring a unique atmosphere wherever they appear. One such figure is the two-time Oscar® winner Cate Blanchett. Last years’ head of the Main Competition jury at the 32nd EnergaCAMERIMAGE, she will once again grace Toruń’s cinematic celebration with her presence. During the Festival’s closing gala, she will receive the Icon Award.
Photo by Aleksander Salski
Cate is an extraordinary individual who treats every conversation as a singular event. It is this sensitivity and attentiveness to the world around her that make her performances unforgettable, inspiring audiences worldwide. I am deeply honoured to present her with the Icon Award, which she will accept in person at the closing gala. I believe her return to Toruń is tied to fond memories and experiences from last year, when she led the Main Competition jury with remarkable professionalism - Marek Żydowicz
Versatility, an exceptional work ethic, and a deep empathy for others define the greatest artists. Cate Blanchett embodies these qualities, establishing herself as one of the most outstanding actresses in cinema history and a true icon of our time. Beyond her on-screen work, her charitable efforts - such as serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the European Parliament - her wide-ranging artistic endeavours, and her producer’s intuition have inspired millions over her 30-year career.
At EnergaCAMERIMAGE, we have showcased numerous films featuring Cate Blanchett, many of which competed in our main sections and won top accolades. Her breakthrough role in Elizabeth (1998, dir. Shekhar Kapur), where she delivered an unforgettable portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I, earned her first Oscar® nomination, while cinematographer Remi Adefarasin won the Golden Frog at CAMERIMAGE 1999. Further Academy Award® nominations followed in 2008 for her roles in the sequel, Elizabeth: The Golden Age (dir. Shekhar Kapur), and I’m Not There (dir. Todd Haynes), with the latter’s cinematography by Ed Lachman earning a Bronze Frog at CAMERIMAGE 2007. Additional Oscar® nominations came for Carol (2015, dir. Todd Haynes) and Tár (2022, dir. Todd Field), in which she not only starred but also served as an executive producer. Both films garnered significant acclaim, with their cinematographers - Ed Lachman for Carol and Florian Hoffmeister for Tár - winning Golden Frogs at EnergaCAMERIMAGE.
This year’s honouree, alongside Andrew Upton and Coco Francini, founded Dirty Films, where she serves as a managing director. The studio’s producing credits include The New Boy (dir. Warwick Thornton), which won the Golden Frog at EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2023 for Thornton’s remarkable direction and cinematography - a historic first for the festival, as it marked the first time the top prize was awarded to a filmmaker responsible for both directing and visuals.
In 2018 and 2020, Cate Blanchett chaired the juries at the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, respectively. In 2024, she took on this role at the 32nd EnergaCAMERIMAGE International Film Festival.
We are immensely privileged that she has agreed to accept the Icon Award at the 33rd EnergaCAMERIMAGE International Film Festival, taking place from 15–22 November 2025 in Toruń, Kujawsko-Pomorskie.
Cate Blanchett is a globally celebrated actress, producer, creative director, and dedicated member of the artistic community, deeply committed to charitable causes. Together with her husband, Andrew Upton, and Coco Francini, she co-founded and runs Dirty Films, a studio engaged in film and television production, as well as the “Proof of Concept” programme, which provides financial and professional support to emerging filmmakers. Among her recent producing credits is The New Boy (dir. Warwick Thornton), in which she also starred, and Fingernails (dir. Christos Nikou, produced for Apple Original Films). Notably, The New Boy won the Golden Frog at EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2023. Dirty Films’ portfolio also includes feature films such as Shayda, Carol, Tár, as well as series like Mrs. America and Stateless. Her producing work extends to the acclaimed podcast Climate of Change and the interactive virtual reality experience Evolver.
Cate Blanchett’s filmography boasts unforgettable titles such as Father Mother Sister Brother, Black Bag, Tár, Nightmare Alley, Don’t Look Up, Ocean’s 8, Thor: Ragnarok, Carol, Blue Jasmine, I’m Not There, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Notes on a Scandal, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, The Aviator, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Elizabeth. These performances have earned her prestigious accolades, including four BAFTA Awards, two Oscars®, three Golden Globes, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.In 2025, she was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her role in Alfonso Cuarón’s critically acclaimed series Disclaimer. From 2008 to 2013, she co-led the Sydney Theatre Company as artistic director and general manager, overseeing the production of 16 plays annually across four stages. Notable among these was Andrew Upton’s The Present (dir. John Crowley), which earned her a Tony Award nomination. Recently, she performed at the National Theatre in Martin Crimp’s When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other. Her collaborative producing efforts with Andrew Upton earned them the Green Globe Award for transforming the Sydney Theatre Company into one of the world’s most sustainable artistic organisations, including the installation of Australia’s second-largest rooftop solar system.
Cate Blanchett chaired the jury at last year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE, as well as at Cannes (2018) and Venice (2020). The Venice Film Festival honoured her with two Volpi Cups for her outstanding performances, while the BFI London Film Festival awarded her its prestigious Fellowship for her exceptional contribution to film culture. She has also received the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her extensive list of accolades includes an Honorary César, an International Goya Award, and the Chaplin Award. In France, she was named a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and in her native Australia, she received the Companion of the Order of Australia for her outstanding service to the nation and humanity. She also holds the Centenary Medal for service to Australian society and honorary doctorates from the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, and Macquarie University.As a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR in the European Parliament, Cate Blanchett received the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Kuwait-America Foundation Humanitarian Award. She is a lifetime member of the Australian Conservation Foundation, an ambassador for the Australian Film Institute (AFI), a patron of the Sydney Film Festival, and a supporter of the NIDA Foundation, her alma mater. She also contributes to the Actors Benevolent Fund, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, alongside numerous other humanitarian, charitable, and environmental initiatives.
She lives in the English countryside with her husband, four children, three dogs, two cats, and a menagerie of pigs and chickens.