The Day Vladimir Died, Electra. A Poem, The Family Portrait in the Animarkt Stop Motion Forum 2020 Winners

The Lebanese/German stop-motion project, directed by Fadi Syriani, won four awards in ANIMARKT Pitching. Apart from it, seven more films were awarded. The awards gala ended this year's ANIMARKT edition, which gathered online over half a thousand participants from 34 countries and made it possible to conduct over 260 business talks.

15 projects at the stage of the first script and the outline of the visual concept took part in Pitching.

I was very impressed with the variety of themes and the dynamic poetics of the final projects.  The online event was organized not only professionally, but also with a great understanding of the participants' needs - Markéta Šantrochová, a member of the jury 

Ultimately, due to the high level of presentations, as many as 8 films were awarded. "The Day Vladimir Died" won 4 awards: a voucher worth PLN 40,000 to be used at CeTA Studio in Wrocław, purchase of a license by Ale kino +, RADIATOR IP SALES distribution award and expert consultation with Marcin Zalewski.

The Day Vladimir Died, Lebanon / Germany / Qatar 10 minutes d.Fadi Syriani, p. Roland Fischer, Jana Wehbe, Maryam Al Khulaifi
Vladimir, an old Beirut resident, checks the Obituary page in the local news- paper and attends neighboring funerals daily. Following an unusual encounter on his “mourning” routine, Vladimir finds himself searching for his own notice.

The jury also appreciated the minimalist but perfectly elegant aesthetics and the captivating rhythm of "The Family Portrait" directed by Lea Vidakovic. The project was awarded a CeTA Studio voucher worth PLN 60,000.

The Family Portrait. d. Lea Vidakovic, p. Drasko Ivezic / Croatia, 15 minutes
A quiet afternoon in an aristocratic home, just before 1st WW. Andras and his daughter are surprised by a visit of his brother and his numerous family members. A poetic, dark, and slightly humorous social observation, in which family ties are dissected and broken down to pieces.

A two-week residency at the Quirino Cristiani Animation Center in Cordoba, Argentina, an award funded by APALAB, was received by the project "Skin" directed by Gabriel Nunes do Carmo.

The prize sponsored by Dragonframe was given to the project "Carcassonne-Acapulco" directed by Marjorie Caup and Olivier Heraud, and industry accreditation for the MIFA 2021 fair in Annecy, went to the project "Fia" directed by Luciana Martinez and Iván Stur. The CEE Animation Forum accreditation was awarded to the creators of "Labra Cadabra, Klaipeda Jazz". The second Ale Kino + award in the form of a license purchase went to the creator of "Sweater" - Kinga Górak.

A Special Distinction in the form of accreditation for next year's ANIMARKT in recognition of the touching and thrilling history and outstanding artistic quality was granted to the project "Electra. A Poem” by Daria Kashcheeva.

The awards gala ended this year's fifth jubilee edition of ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum. It included nearly 40 events that were broadcasted on a virtual platform all over the world. The online formula of the event made it possible to gather in one place representatives of the stop motion industry from Europe, Latin America, the United States to India.

Animarkt 2020 Closing Ceremony

It would definitely not be possible to meet in such a large group with participants from such distant countries, especially in the conditions of a pandemic - emphasizes.  The biggest challenge of the online edition was the organization of workshops, which was complex from reasons such us participation of people from different time zones, among others -Agnieszka Kowalewska-Skowron, MOMAKIN, event organizer.

Nevertheless, the online formula was also proved to be successful. Our greatest concerns about whether the forum will retain its character and continue to be a place where the entire stop motion industry gathers and exchanges opinions were groundless. It turned out that this community actually functions online, truly experiences this event, actively participates and comment. You could feel this energy exchange during chats and conversations - Paulina Zacharek, MOMAKIN

Full list of  awarded projects:

1. Dragonframe 4 Software goes to: CARCASSONNE-ACAPULCO, Dir.: Marjorie Caup and Olivier Heraud
2. Expert consultation with MARCIN ZALEWSKI goes to: THE DAY VLADIMIR DIED, Dir.: Fadi Syriani
3. SPECIAL MENTION goes to: ELECTRA. A POEM, Dir.: Daria Kashcheeva
4. Industry accreditation for MIFA 2021 goes to: FIA, Dir.: Luciana Martinez and Iván Stur
5. CEE ANIMATION FORUM accreditation goes to: LABRA CADABRA, KLAIPEDA JAZZ, Dir.: Olga Ti and Julia Titowa
6. 2-week residency at the Quirino Cristiani Animation Center in Cordoba (Argentina) – funded by APALAB goes to: SKIN, Dir.: Gabriel Nunes do Carmo
7. Voucher worth PLN 40 000 (approx. 9 000 EUR) for using the studio and film production facilities – distinction funded by the Audiovisual Technology Center (CeTA) in Wrocław goes to: THE DAY VLADIMIR DIED, Dir.: Fadi Syriani 
8. Voucher worth PLN 60 000 (approx. 13 500 EUR) for using the studio and film production facilities – distinction funded by the Audiovisual Technology Center (CeTA) in Wrocław goes to: THE FAMILY PORTRAIT, Dir.: Lea Vidakovic
9. Purchase of a license by ALE KINO+ goes to: THE DAY VLADIMIR DIE, Dir Fadi Syriani and SWEATER Dir.: Kinga Górak
10. Distribution award by RADIATOR IP SALES goes to: THE DAY VLADIMIR DIED, Dir.: Fadi Syriani

ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum is co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland from the Cultural Promotion Fund, International Visegrad Fund and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The main partners of ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum 2020 are EC1 Łódź - City of culture and Lodz Film Commission.