We are honoured to present the winners of 16th International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR:
International Short Film Competition
The members of the jury of the International Short Film Competition of the 16th International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR: Sarina Nihei, Keiichi Hara, Joanna Rytel decided to award the following prizes:
GRAND PRIX - GOLDEN PEGASUS / 45 000 zł brutto
Armat, dir. Elodie Dermange, Switzerland, 2022
Jury statement: Finding your roots that you have never sought out can be sometimes difficult and harsh, however, this story is told with a mesmerizing drawing style nad beautiful colors, which only animation can represent. We are very fascinated by the director's unique family history.
II AWARD - SILVER PEGASUS / 12,000 PLN
Ice Merchants, dir. João Gonzalez, Portugal, 2022
Jury statement: Living in a dangerous place and going down to the ground to sell a little amount of ice everyday by risking your life. The story is told without dialogue and with a beautiful drawing style that reminds us a woodcut prints, which is fascinating.
III AWARD - BRONZE PEGASUS / 6 000 zł brutto
Dog – Apartment, dir. Priit Tender, Estonia, 2022
Jury statement: An architect-designed house stands in an empty landscape. The facade has the shape of a dog's head. A ravaged man, going out shopping, in his surreal existance. In the milk shop, he bursts into dance. With cows as spectators. He remembers a bygone time as ballet dancer. In the gaze of animals, you are never a loser.
Wojciech Juszczak Award for the Best Music Film/Music / 4 000 zł brutto
Amok, dir. Balázs Turai, Hungary, 2022
Jury statement: This film is not only crazy but also entertaining with a great sense of humor and amazing rythm, which is enhanced by this original music.
Marcin Giżycki Award for the Best Student Film / 2 000 zł brutto
Dance my doll, dir. Jasmijn Kooijman, Sweden, 2022
Jury statement: This animation fascinated us with the characters' minimal facial expressions and subtle movements. We are moved by the story that represents a serious problem, which many countries have to deal with today.
Audience Award for the Best Short Film
Ice Merchants, dir. João Gonzalez, Portugal, 2022
International Feature Film Competition
The members of the jury of the 16th International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR: Jeanette Nørgaard, Sara Gunnarsdóttir, Gints Zilbalodis awarded the following prizes:
Award for the Best Feature Film / 30 000 PLN brutto
PERLIMPS, dir. Alê Abreu, Brasil, 2022
Jury statement: For inviting us into the imagination of a child, and reminding us of how it is to play in an immersive world of beauty and colors. We understand the grave consequences of adult choices, yet it gives us hope for the future.
Honorable Mention
NO DOGS OR ITALIANS ALLOWED, dir. Alain Ughetto, France, 2022
Jury statement: For holding hands with the past and using animation to tell the story in a way it could not have been done otherwise.
Audience Award for the Best Feature Film
PERLIMPS, dir. Alê Abreu, Brasil, 2022
International Animated Series Competition
The members of the jury of the International Competition of Animated Series of the 16th International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR: Jeanette Nørgaard, Sara Gunnarsdóttir, Gints Zilbalodis decided to award:
Award for the Best Animated Series / 5 000 zł brutto
Fail in Love, dir. Cécile Rousset, Romain Blanc-Tailleur, France, 2022
Jury statement: For using animation to tell a personal story with engaging metaphors and inviting us to understand the complexity of falling in love, when that love doesn’t meet our expectation of a perfect future.
Honorable Mention
Wetsitales: The Hawk and the Hen, reż. Jade Dandan Evangelista, Philippines, 2022
Jury statement: For matching image and narration in the most perfect way, seemingly crude, yet deeply engaging in a fresh and funny expression.
Audience Award for the Best Animated Series
ANIMANIMALS: T-Rex, dir. Julia Ocker, Germany, 2022
Children's Jury Award for the Best Animated Series
During the ANIMATOR Festival 2023 the Children's Jury has possibility to decide about awarded films for the first time. The Jury Members: Zofia Płaczkowska, Agnieszka Kuzdra, Julia Zając, Zofia Woś, Marta Witoń, Miro Wińczyk, Malina Majchrzycka, Mela Kowalczyk decided to award:
Bayka at the End of the World, dir. Kacper Zamarło, Poland, 2022
Children's Jury Statement: After watching one episode, we wanted more! He aroused our curiosity about the whole story of Wiktoria and Bajka. The movie was funny and surprising.
Honorable Mention
ANIMANIMALS: T-Rex, dir. Julia Ocker, Germany, 2022
Children's Jury Statement: For a simple in form and funny story about overcoming difficulties, which was perfectly presented without words.
Polish Animated Film Competition
The members of the jury of the Polish Animated Film Competition of the 16th International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR: Alexis Hunot, Andrzej Radka, Tim Webber decided to award the following prizes:
GRAND PRIX – GOLDEN ANIMUSZ – Award of the Mayor of the City of Poznan / 12 000 zł brutto
Such Miracles Do Happen, dir. Barbara Rupik, Poland, 2023
Jury statement: We were captivated by the way this little girl was watching the world around her An inanimate world that is suddenly inexplicable alive. This story manages tobe touching and tender at the same time as being fascinatingly grotesque. We couldn't help but be charmed by her sweet character and optimism. Furthermore the incredible sound design immerses us even more in her world.
II AWARD – SILVER ANIMUSZ / 4 000 zł brutto
Smell of the ground, dir. Olivia Rosa, Poland, 2023
Jury statement: The film with its slow rhythm and small details is becoming more haunting viewing after viewing. The great camera movements, the music and the beautiful black and white images lead us to a final shot that proves that life will find its way long after we human beings are gone from this planet.
III AWARD – BRONZE ANIMUSZ / 2 000 zł brutto
Misaligned, dir. Marta Magnuska, Poland, 2022
Jury statement: The way the director plays with the close up and the long shots, and the sounds help builds the tension in a couple. The rhythm little by little shows the similarities between the way human being and animals can be. All that in a beautiful rough and powerful visual style.
Honorable Mention
There are people in the forest, dir. Szymon Ruczyński, Poland, 2023
Jury statement: We felt that the director's brave use of raw animation techniques and forced perspective is an intense and great way to illustrate the ongoing humanitarian crisis on the Polish-Belorussian border. These refugees are caught between two countries lines, without any immediate solution in sight. The jury felt this film message needed to be highlighted and heard.
Audience Award for the Best Polish Animated Film
Lack, dir. Paweł Prewencki, Poland, 2023
Volunteers' Award for the Best Short Film
Dog – Apartment, dir. Priit Tender, Estonia, 2022
