An Estonian stop-motion short swept Brazil’s Lanterna Mágica animation festival awards this weekend, with Riho Unt’s The Master taking three prizes (Best Film, Best Direction and Best Script) in the international shorts category. Unt has previously won awards from Annecy and the Krok animation fests.
Produced by Nukufilm Studios and supported by the Estonian Film Institute and Cultural Endowment of Estonia, The Master is based on Estonian author Friedebert Tuglas’ Popi and Huhuu, about a dog and a monkey awaiting the return of their master, who one day realize he won’t be coming home any more, and determine to form a new life together.
In Lanterna Mágica’s national competition, the Best Film award and Best Art Direction went to Parque Pesadelo (“Nightmare Park”) by Aly Muritiba, Francisco Gusso and Pedro Giongo. Produced in the state of Paraná by GRAFO and Tijucas studios in co-production with RPCTV, the paper cut-out animation follows a young boy burdened by a strange curse.
The 2017 Lanterna Mágica award winners are:
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Best Film (Official Jury): The Master by Riho Unt (Estonia)
Best Film (Audience) TIE: (Otto) by Job, Joris & Marieke (Netherlands) | Chika, the Dog from the Ghetto by Sandra Schiebl (Germany)
Best Direction:The Master, Riho Unt
Best Script: The Master, Riho Unt
Best Art Direction: Valley of White Birds by Busifan & Cloud Yang (China)
Best Animation Technique: Yin by Nicolas Fong (Belgium)
Best Sound: The Evening Her Mind Jumped out of Her Head by Shaun Clark & Kim Noce (UK)
Best Music Composition: Yin, Nicolas Fong
NATIONAL COMPETITION
Best Film (Official Jury): Parque Pesadelo by Aly Muritiba, Francisco Gusso & Pedro Giongo (Paraná, Brazil)
Best Film (Audience): Lipe, Vovô e o Monstro by Felippe Steffens & Carlos Mateus (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)
Best Direction: Caminho dos Gigantes by Alois Di Leo (São Paulo, Brazil)
Best Script: Brinquedo Novo by Rogério Boechat (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Best Art Direction: Parque Pesadelo, Aly Muritiba, Francisco Gusso & Pedro Giongo
Best Animation Technique: Finito by Mauricio Bartok (São Paulo, Brazil)
Best Sound: Caminho dos Gigantes, Alois Di Leo
Best Music Composition: Finito, Mauricio Bartok
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