The 12th CEE Animation Forum, a leading pitching and networking event for the industry in Central and Eastern Europe, took place on November 12 and 13 in Pilsen. Following two days of intensive pitches, one-on-one meetings and workshops, the event concluded with the announcement of the pitch competition winners, who were awarded prizes totaling 40,000 euro in value.
A total of 31 projects, divided into four categories — nine features, seven TV series, nine short films and six student shorts — competed for these honors. The selected projects cover a diverse range of themes and target audiences, from children up to the age of 12 (10 projects) and teenagers (five) to adults and young adults (16). The total budget for these projects exceeds 40 million euro.
“I am amazed by the overall quality of the pitches and the energy invested in these incredible animated film projects. The majority of them left the audience breathless,” said Marta Jallageas, Managing Director of the CEE Animation Forum. “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.”
CEE Animation Forum 2024 Awards
Audience Award
- Winner: Toink! – writer Bert Lesaffer, producer Kristof Lantin | Animal Tank | Belgium
Feature Film
- Winner: Saima – Scenes from a Midlife Crisis – director Chintis Lundgren, producer 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
- Winner: Toink! – w. Bert Lesaffer, p. Kristof Lantin, d. An Vrombaut | 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 Film
- 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. Congratulations!
- Special Mention: Killin’ It – d. Balázs Turai, p. Péter Benjámin Lukács | Boddah | Hungary
Rising Stars – Student Film
- Winner: My Granny Amphibian – d. Viktória Zimmermannová | 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 boys granny. The award goes to My Granny Amphibian by Viktória Zimmermannová.
- Special Mention: The Cashier – d. Alina Sivets | 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 | 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 | Serbia
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 | Academy of Arts Architecture & Design in Prague UMPRUM | Czech Republic
CEE Animation Forum is financially supported by International Visegrad Fund, Ministry of Culture Czech Republic, Czech Film Fund, Audiovisual Producers ́ Association CZ, Pilsen Region, Polish Film Institute, Slovak Audiovisual Fund, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest and LITA.
