The 41st edition of Portugal’s Cinanima International Animated Film Festival wrapped up this weekend in Espinho, bestowing the grand prize City of Espinho Award on Negulici Sergiu’s The Blissful Accidental Death, produced by Adriana Ionica of Romania’s Abis Studio. In the short, a man finds a drawing in an antique shop with a secret love letter from 70 years ago on the back. He takes an unusual journey to meet the author who has lived through some important events during the past century.
Roger Mainwood’s Ethel & Ernest (Lupus Films, UK) won both the Feature Film jury prize and the Audience Award. Voiced by Jim Broadbent, Brenda Blethyn and Luke Treadaway, the film is based on the award-winning graphic novel by Raymond Briggs and follows the story of his own parents – two ordinary Londoners living through a period of extraordinary social change. The hand-drawn darling recently won prizes at the Bucheon and Cordoba animation fests.
Additional winners:
Jury’s Special Award: After All – Michael Cusack (Australia)
Alves Costa Award (film under 5 min.): Husband and Wife. A Voitan Story – Mais Laas (Estonia)
— Special mention: Alternative Walk – Ivan Maximov (Russia)
Best Film (5 to 24 min.): Catherine – Britt Raes (Belgium)
— Honorable mentions: Surprise – Paulo Patricio (Portugal), Drop by Drop – Laura Gonçalves and Xá (Portugal), Skin for Skin – Carol Beech and Kevin Kurytnik (Canada)
Gaston Roch Award (student film): Oh Mother! Paulina Ziolkowska (Poland)
Best Commissioned Film: Yellow Rose – Xin Li (Australia)
António Gaio Award (national competition): Drop by Drop – Laura Gonçalves and Xá (Portugal)
— Honorable mention: Surprise – Paulo Patricio (Portugal)
Young Portuguese Director Award (under 18 y.o.): A Wolf Coming from Spain – Colectivo de Jovens das Oficinas da Anilupa da Associação de Ludotecas do Porto, Alunos do 8º ano da EB de Sendim
— Honorable mention: Strange Birds – Colectivo Voc B3 da EB Lousada Este – Caíde de Rei
Young Portuguese Director Award (18+) [TIE]: The Voyage – João Monteiro, Luís Vital and Ricardo Livramento; Undercat – Sara Marques and André Matos
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