'Garrano', 'Impossible Figures', 'Letter to A Pig' in the Animocje Festival Winners 2023

Animocje Festival 2023 winners

 Animocje Festival (16-22 April 2023, Bydgoszcz, Poland) has established itself as a boutique hotspot for independent animation in Poland and internationally. With its curated selection and retrospective programmes, it slowly builds its own mark in the animation festival terrain. 

Its 12th edition was no different, and a variety of animation shorts were awarded. From Poland to Portugal and Israel, we discover a range of both narrative and aesthetic choices.

Vasco Sá & David Doutel's 'Garrano' was the big winner; the Portuguese duo won the Grand Prix with their psychological outdoors adventure; Marta Pajek with her third film in the trilogy, 'Impossible Figures and Other Stories I' won the Film Award of the Marshal of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.

2 awards for the French/Israeli Holocaust-themed film, 'Letter to A Pig' by Tal Kantor; the AI-made music video 'Be Gone' by Sijia Luo (music by KNIVESRAIN), was granted the Best Music Video festival award.

The full list of winners and jury's statements:

(Jury: Anastazja Naumenko, Daniel Suljic, Mateusz Jarmulski 
Junior Jury: Julia Kubiak, Maria Blacha, Wiktor Jabłoński)


Grand Prix: Garrano, dir. Vasco Sá, David Doutel, Portugal, 14'08''
This film is a deadly drama at the edge of society and a city, executed with masterful skills.

Garrano

Film Award of the Marshal of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship for the director of the best Polish film: Impossible Figures and Other Stories I, dir. Marta Pajek
Skilfully executed story of the fading ability to keep up with the present, when the only thing which is left are recollections of the youth you never meant to comprehend before losing it once and for all.

Special Mentions in the International Competition

Letter To a Pig, dir. Tal Kantor, France/ Israel, 2022, 16'47''
A film with a different view on a mankind tragedy, where a new generation wants to free themselves from the burdens of the past, and find their own path to the present and life.

Above the Clouds, dir. Vivien Hárshegyi, Węgry, 2022, 13'32''
In an explosion of emotions this film reminds us, in a funny playful way, how it is when you fall in love very young.

El After del Mundo, dir. Florentina Gonzalez, Argentina
The calming poetry about the end of the world, when we finally release ghosts of the everyday pressures and just follow the music.

Patient's Mind, dir. Zhiheng Wang, China, 2022, 6'05''
For original narrative and posing questions about consciousness, for attempting to look inside the labyrinth of the human mind

Best Music Video: Be Gone,  Sijia Luo (music:KNIVESRAIN), China, 2022, 3’56’’
For using AI without compromising on the uniqueness of the author's voice and vision

Be Gone

Special Mention for Music Video: Hungry Ghost, Kaitlin McSweeney, Guido Devadder, Belgium, 2022, 6’52’’
For an oneiric story from the borderland of dream and abstraction about the moment when our consciousness falls asleep creating a hypnotic journey. 

ZESPÓŁ EDUKATORÓW FILMOWYCH (Film Educator’s Team)
Films for Children and Young Adults Competition: Home of the Heart, dir. Sarah Saidan

ZEF: For portraying an individual against a big city. Broaching a relevant and current subject related to the search of identity, alienation, and emigration. The film asks questions: does a place determine our humanity and is the proverb Home is where the heart is still valid? The story is full of symbols and metaphors, which add it depth and bring the viewer the satisfaction of looking for hidden meanings. The richness of interpretive forms and subjects for discussion with young audience. The light and finesse drawing, with its heart beating on the Seine, combined with the story told, will make those who are not so convinced about this form of art finally love animation.

Home of the Heart


ZEF Special Mentions:
Bringing to life objects, from a tea bag to colored yarn, reveals to us some extraordinary stories and the power of human imagination. Combined with the play of colors, shapes and sounds, film poetry arises.

  • Luce and the Rock, Britt Raes, Belgium
  • Mr. T/ Monsieur T, Etienne Husson and Marta Daeuble, France
  • The Turnip/ Naeris, Piret Sigus, Silja Saarepuu, Estonia

Junior Jury / HONORABLE DISTINCTION: A Brief History of Us, dir. Etgar Keret, Poland/ Israel, 2021, 6'
This film strongly stood out visually among its competitors, very interestingly and artistically presenting the given issue. The comparison between the evolution of relationship and human evolution was amazingly poetic. Aesthetic minimalism and evident playing with form linger in the memory.

The Special Prize from the Junior Jury: Letter To a Pig, dir. Tal Kantor, France/ Israel, 2022, 16' 47''
This film tells a story of scars left after the war trauma in the minds of people who experienced it, and of their being misunderstood by the surrounding world, especially by the young people, brought up in the post-war reality. The quality of the movie is impressive in terms of aesthetics and technique. The combination of digital, traditional media, rotoscoping has been executed consciously and produces an excellent effect. Also the stylization corresponds well with the message of the film. Its narration leaves room for interpretation of the theme and allows the viewer to draw a subjective moral.

The Audience Award in the Films for Children and Young Adults Competition: 
Franzy’s Soup-Kitchen/ La Soupe de Franzy, Ana Chubinidze (CZUBINANDZE), France 2021, 8’30’’

The Audience Award in the International Competition and Music Video Competition:
Night of the Living Dread, dir. Ida Melum, UK, 2021, 11’27”

Night of the Living Dread

The 12th Animocje International Animated Film Festival took place from 16-22 April 2023.

SIGN UP: Want to read more free articles like this? Sign up for Our Newsletter

Related Articles

FIND THE RIGHT FESTIVAL

Image

Zippy Frames is the premier online animation journal promoting European and Independent Animation animation since 2011

[email protected]

Zippy Frames

Quick Links