Central & Easter Europe’s largest animation-focused pitching and networking event, the CEE Animation Forum, came to a close after two days of programming in Pilsen, Czech Republic (November 8 & 9). A total of 28 diverse projects reaching a total budget of €29 million were presented in the four main competitions, with the juries presenting awards to a total of 12 animated works.
“I am very proud of every team on the stage — from debuting students fearlessly stepping in front of a professional audience for the first time, to experienced filmmakers unveiling a multitude of highly ambitious projects. Their creativity and courage defined the essence of our CEE Animation Forum,” said Marta Jallageas, Managing Director.
CEE Animation Forum 2023 Winners
AUDIENCE AWARD
My Little Heroes
Director Javier Galán, producer Ivan Agenjo
Peekaboo Animation, Fabrique Fantastique | Spain, Belgium)
FEATURE FILMS
Nine Lives Left
d. Zacharias Mavroeidis, p. Maria Kontogianni
Wild at Heart | Greece
Jury statement: We feel the potential of the story (at least we are going to discover what cats think of us!). But we feel this isnot around the travel between childhood and teenager more about what we want for our life.
SERIES/TV SPECIAL
WINNER: Rainy Days
d. and p. Ani Antonova Hristova
Austria, Bulgaria
Jury statement: We decided to give the main award to Rainy Days for its great potential and unusual main character. We see the
project as very original and poetic. We also appreciate the
personal aspect, since it’s female family business, artistic cooperation of two generations.
Special Mention: Dolls
d. Joachim Hérissé, p. Stéphanie Launay
Komadoli Studio | France
Jury statement: We decided to award Dolls with a Special Mention for its quality and originality. We appreciated its connection to the tradition of Czech puppet animation. We consider the project very artsy, a counterpart to consumerism and also a very personal endeavor.
SHORT FILMS
WINNER: Nightbloom
d. Kata Gugić, p. Vanja Andrijević
Bonobo Studio| Croatia
Jury statement: For the quality of the artists’ research, their originality and their capacity to experiment with narrative through the creation of an entertaining and pop universe.
Special Mention: Be Still My Heart
d. Melinda Kádár, p. Bella Szederkényi
CUB Animation | Hungary
Jury statement: For the vulnerability of the process, the clarity of vision and risk taking, as an encouragement to push the surreal element further and deeper.
RISING STARS
WINNER: Stuck in the Wasp Nest
d. Agnes Milla Bereczki
Estonian Academy of Arts | Estonia
Jury statement: The jury was impressed by the professional
presentation and the author’s ability to process a personal
trauma with honesty and humor. They were captivated by its
original visuals and clear storytelling.
Special Mention: It’s (Not) Yours
d. Santiago Ordoñez
Estonian Academy of Arts | Estonia
Jury statement: This film tells a deep story with a minimalistic style. The jury was impressed by the maturity and the strong
atmosphere behind, as well as by the expressive sound design
that complemented the graphic visuals.
CEE Animation Workshop
Riamise
d. Francesco Forti, p. Federico Turani
Ibrido Studio | Italy
Ciclic Residency
Nightbloom
d. Kata Gugić, p. Vanja Andrijević
Bonobo Studio | Croatia
TVPaint
Eruption
d. Zoe Nagy
MOME Anim – Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design | Hungary
Cartoon Movie – direct access
Dr. Howl
d. Joanna Jasińska-Koronkiewicz, p. Anna Mroczek, Wojtek Leszczyński, Przemysław Pilarczyk
Likaon, WJT | Poland
MouMoush – the King of Plastic
d. Milorad Krstic, p. Radmila Roczkov, Hermina Roczkov
Hungary
Young Horizons Industry – direct access
Rainy Days
d. and p. Ani Antonova Hristova
Austria, Bulgaria
Animarkt Stop Motion Forum – direct access
Dolls
d. Joachim Hérissé, p. Stéphanie Launay
Komadoli Studio | France
Financial support for the event was provided by the Czech Film Fund, Ministry of Culture Czech Republic, Audiovisual Producers´ Association (Czech Republic), Pilsen Region (Czech Republic) and the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest.
More information about CEE Animation Forum 2023 available at ceeanimation.eu.
