The powerful story of a Congolese child refugee’s search for family in the wake of violence and tragedy will reach a wider home audience next week, when Amy Bench’s animated documentary More Than I Want to Remember premieres on Paramount+ on November 29, presented by MTV Entertainment Studios.
The beautifully animated film premiered at SXSW early this year and went on to win Best Animated Short at Tribeca Film Festival, among many other accolades. (In fact, More Than I Want to Remember is being touted as the most-awarded animated short of 2022.)
Synopsis: One night at her home in southeastern Congo, 14-year-old Mugeni Ornella awakes to the sounds of bombs. As her family scatters to the surrounding forests to save themselves, Mugeni finds herself completely alone. From there, she sets out on a remarkable solo journey across the globe, determined to reunite with her lost loved ones and lift up the Banyamulenge people. Despite unimaginable obstacles, Mugeni’s story is ultimately a portrait of hope, love, and family bonds.
More Than I Want to Remember is directed by Amy Bench (A Line Birds Cannot See) and produced by Bench, Mugeni Ornella and Carolyn Merriman. Maya Edelman (Out of My Head, Lindsay Katt’s Avant Gardener) is the film’s animation director, with Sebastian Bisbal Rivas as lead animator. Sheila Nevins is executive producer.
The film’s awards include:
- Best Animated Short – Tribeca Film 2022
- Best Short Animation – DeadCENTER Film Festival 2022
- Best Animated Short – Walla Walla Movie Crush
- Best International Short Documentary – Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2022
- Best Documentary Short – Cleveland International Film Festival
- Best Documentary Short – Woods Hole Film Festival 2022
- Audience Choice Award for Best Short & Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary Short – Sidewalk Film Festival 2022
- Audience Award – DC Shorts 2022
- Best Documentary Short Film & Milos Stehlik Global Impact Award – 2022 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival
More Than I Want to Remember premieres on Paramount+ on Tuesday, November 29.
