'Saima', 'Ant', 'Toink' Triumph at the 12th CEE Animation Forum

The director of 'Manivald', the Estonian Chintis Lundgren, was one of the big winners of the 2024 CEE Animation Forum (12–13 November 2024). Her feature film in development, ‘Saima – Scenes from a Midlife Crisis’, won the coveted Feature Film award of the celebrated European pitching event in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
A total of 31 projects, divided into four categories – 9 features, 7 TV series, 9 short films, and 6 student shorts – were included in the pitching competition. The selected projects cover a diverse range of topics and target audiences, from children up to the age of 12 (10 projects) and teenagers (5) to adults and young adults (16).
Acclaimed German director Jonatan Schwenk (‘Zoon’) took home a handful awards, including the top prize in the Shorts pitching category with ‘Ant’, a hybrid animated film that captivated the jury with its dually universal and personal perspectives. TV Series Category winner, Belgian children’s series ‘Toink!’ by An Vrombaut, also collected the Audience Award, while Viktória Zimmermannová’s ‘My Granny Amphibian’ had the winning pitch in the Rising Stars – Student Films Category for its story of loss from a child’s perspective.
"The bravery and enthusiasm with which the presenters—both young students and experienced filmmakers with highly ambitious projects—performed on stage is truly inspiring. We are proud to see the projects that participated in our other activities, like CEE Animation Workshop or Rise and Shine pitching lab, come well-prepared and start their successful development - Marta Jallageas, Managing Director of the CEE Animation Forum.
Full list of winners of the 2024 CEE Animation Forum:
Audience Award
‘Toink!’ — sc. Bert Lesaffer, p. Kristof Lantin, Animal Tank, Belgium
Feature Films Category
Winner: ’Saima – Scenes from a Midlife Crisis’ — d. Chintis Lundgren, p. Draško Ivezić, Adriatic Animation, Chintis Lundgreni Animatsioonistuudio, Croatia
Jury statement: After a nice debate, we have decided to award the film ‘Saima – Scenes from a Midlife Crisis”. We all found the pitch very promising. We liked in particular the intimate exploration of this midlife crisis with a very lively, humorous and at times psychedelic approach, as well as the interesting blend of realism and magical realism. Basically we're looking forward to seeing the film and get in between your smelly sheets.
TV Series Category
Winner: ’Toink!’ — sc. Bert Lesaffer, p. Kristof Lantin, Animal Tank, Belgium
Jury statement: We selected the project for its well-structured, original pitch and its genuine commitment to inclusivity and differences. The project stood out for its heartfelt approach to helping young audiences navigate the ups and downs of growing up, and embracing challenges in all their forms.
Special Mention: ‘The End’ — d. Paul Muresan, p. Mihai Mitrica, Safe Frame, Romania
Short Films Category
Winner: ’Ant’ — d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany
Jury statement: For a compelling pitch and presentation of a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, the jury of the short film projects is pleased to award the prize to Jonatan Schwenk for ‘Ant’.
Special Mention: ‘Killin’ It’ — d. Balázs Turai, p. Péter Benjámin Lukács, Boddah, Hungary
Rising Stars – Student Films Category
Winner: ‘My Granny Amphibian’ — d. Viktória Zimmermannová, p. Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava - VŠMU, Slovakia
Jury statement: The main award goes to a project that is very well developed, stands out visually and speaks about loss and memory from a child’s perspective. We are convinced by the way the story is told and surprised by the unique and engaging character of the anthropomorphic frog eating the objects that symbolize the memories of the boy's granny. The award goes to ‘My Granny Amphibian’ by Viktória Zimmermannová.
Special Mention: ‘Cashier’ — d. Alina Sivets, p. University of West Bohemia, Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art, Czech Republic
Jury statement: Special mention goes to a project that tells a simple story of everyday life from a fresh angle. We can see the great potential of the project, both regarding the materiality of the technique and the stories that the products can evoke in our minds. Mention goes to ‘The Cashier’ by Alina Sivets.
CEE Animation Workshop Scholarship
‘English Lessons’ — d. Ivan Tymchenko, p. Svitlana Soloviova, Digital Platform, Svitlofor Film, Ukraine
Ciclic Residency
‘Ant’ — d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany
Travelling - distribution award
Winner: ‘Ant’ — d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany
Special Mention: ‘A Walk in Nature’ — d. Matej Mihalyi, p. Academy of Arts Architecture & Design in Prague UMPRUM, Czech Republic
Cartoon MOVIE - direct access
‘In My Head’ — d. Veronika Zúbek Kocourková, p. Monika Lošťáková, Super film, Slovakia
‘The Axolotls’ — d. Filip Posivac, p. Barbora Chaberova, Bionaut, Czech Republic
TVPaint - animation license
'Total Eclipse’ — d. & p. Marija Stojnić, Set Sail Films
Young Horizons Industry - direct access
‘Finding Home’ — d. Anja Manou Hellem, p. Lillian Løvseth, Trollfilm, Norway
Animarkt Stop Motion Forum - direct access
‘Ant’ — d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany
BRATRONICE Residency
‘A Walk in Nature’ — d. Matej Mihalyi, p. Academy of Arts Architecture & Design in Prague UMPRUM, Czech Republic
The 12th CEE Animation Forum took place 12-13 November in Pilsen, Czech Republic.