Award for achievements in the field of theatre staging, directing, acting, or for theatre-related research.

Originally granted to directors and theatre theorists, the award recognises a high artistic level and performance quality demonstrated by young creators. It is now also presented to actors or ensembles composed of young stage artists.

The patron of the award, established on 25 March 1956 by the Association of Polish Theatre and Film Artists and initially granted every two years on the anniversary of the director’s death, is Leon Schiller — one of the most outstanding pre-war Polish theatre directors, as well as an excellent organiser, educator, and President of ZASP from 1950 until his death. The first jury included: Erwin Axer, Aleksander Bardini, Mieczysław Brahmer, Edward Csato, Władysław Daszewski (chairman), Wilam Horzyca, Andrzej Pronaszko.

According to tradition, the SCHILLER Award is granted by the ZASP Main Board and presented during the celebration of World Theatre Day. The names of the laureates are announced to the public on 14 March — Leon Schiller’s birthday.

The award takes the form of “Leopold Kielanowski Cufflinks”, crafted after the original design. Female recipients of the award receive a brooch based on the same motif.