The International Competition of Music Videos at Fest Anča stands as a vibrant celebration of how animation shapes musical storytelling. A total of 26 distinctive music videos, presented in two sections, pushed the boundaries of visual and musical artistry, delighting audiences with their creativity and innovation. The competition embraced a strong surrealist influence this year, integrating the unpredictable and often bewildering elements of the subconscious into each video, providing rich audio-visual experiences that ranged from traditional hand-drawn art to cutting-edge 3D animation.

The main award was deservedly won by American director Amanda Bonaiuto with her entrancing music video 'D’un feu secret' by Cécile McLorin Salvant, a jazz cover of a French Baroque song from the 17th century. The video showcases a distorted hand-drawn style and presents a mystical narrative about a man captivated by an enchanting woman, based on the folk tale of Mélusine. The jury was particularly impressed by Bonaiuto’s “remarkable work with the music dynamic and immersive visual world”.

The special mention went to 'Worm' by IC3PEAK, directed by France’s Mattis and Yoann Dovier. The jury praised the video's unique qualities, noting its rough rhythm, shot composition and flawless direction, as well as its stark black-and-white animation that resonates deeply with the festival’s overarching theme of nightmares. The unsettling synchronization of electronic music with the visual tempo creates a mesmerizing, almost hypnotic experience. This expert blending of sound and visuals not only heightens the eerie atmosphere but also perfectly captures the essence of horror and surrealism, making the video a memorable and impactful entry in the competition.

Alongside 'Worm', the section featured an array of similarly angsty themes. 'Oblivion' by Mervyn, directed by Imhoff Igor from Italy, utilizes monochrome AI-generated images to tell a haunting tale of a skull-faced family, while 'Hate Machine' by Maelstrom & Louisahhh, directed by France’s Théo Tonatiu Lenoble, depicts a dystopian parade of futuristic machines. Additionally, Carolina Bonzinho and Leander Meresaar’s Portuguese-Estonian co-production 'A Strange Feeling of Existential Angst' by Sunflowers uses paper and pencil drawings to capture anguished, disembodied eyes. Each of these pieces features a different animation style, yet they are unified by their theme, enhancing the fantastical essence of the selection.

Adding to the surreal atmosphere, Weronika Anna Marianna’s 'Cosmo Sheldrake' by Stop The Music features watercolour paintings of ethereal animals that transcend the ordinary. Marianna, an Amsterdam-based Polish illustrator and visual artist, draws her inspiration from visual mythology, nature and the female body, creating images that are both hauntingly beautiful and evocatively surreal. Her distinctive painting style contributed significantly to the visual feast offered by the festival.

The competition also spotlighted other uniquely artistic drawing approaches, particularly in the works of Francesca Colombara, who had two music videos featured: 'I Gotta Cry' by Rick Flair and 'Boy Blue' by Angelsaur. These pieces showcase profound emotional depth through vividly coloured digital painting animation and the creation of distinctive and original “ugly-cute” characters.

Hamburg-based artist Raman Djafari also had two of his works selected, each notable for their innovative use of clay puppets and stop-motion animation: 'RIP TXL' by DJ Piper and 'Worms' by Ashnikko. These works feature a blend of live action and puppet stop-motion techniques, crafting a fantastical, dream-like world.

Other entries that showcased intriguing animation approaches include 'I Inside the Old I Dying' by PJ Harvey, directed by Colombia’s Joaquín Cociña and Cristóbal León, which featured stop-motion animation using paper dolls, and 'Delingha' by FAZI, directed by Lu Li from China, which explores the dramatic potential of 3D animation within the music video genre. The competition closed with 'I'm Leaving (Je pars)' by Arthur Vonfelt, directed by Michelle Brand, utilising an innovative 2Dx3D technique developed by Brand as part of the Berlin-based animation studio KINEMUS collective. This technique involves projecting 2D illustrations into 3D space, adding a novel dimension to the viewing experience.

Related:  View Michelle Brand's interview and film at Zippy Frames

The International Competition of Music Videos at Fest Anča not only highlighted the evolving synergy between animation and music, but also celebrated the diverse ways artists express complex emotional and narrative landscapes through their work. As the curtains fell on this year's section, it was clear that the imaginative realms explored in these videos would continue to inspire and provoke audiences long after the festival's conclusion.

(cover image: Weronika Anna Marianna’s Cosmo Sheldrake)

contributed by: Kanako Fujita