The 30th edition of the world-renowned Stuttgart Intl. Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) came to close on Sunday evening (April 30) with several animated projects receiving top honors at the closing ceremony. According to the organizes, over 44,300 visitors attended the festival’s various venues (cinemas, open air screenings, and the VHS Treffpunkt Rotebühlplatz. A total of 260 invited filmmakers attended this year’s event.
Among the highlights was a Master Class taught by beloved Disney animator Andreas Deja and the sold-out European premiere of his new 2D-animated short Mushka. The GameZone with its animated games attracted a particularly large crowd of gaming fans: Over four days, well over 1,500 people tested and played the best animated computer games from Germany.
Here are the 2023 winners:
International Competition Grand Prize: Koerkorter (Dog Apartment)
Directed by Priit Tender (Estonia)
Jury statement: “’Dog Apartment’ by Priit Tender, is a masterpiece of the surrealism. Even if the story takes place in an eastern oppressive regime, we can all relate to it as artists, having fed the capitalist housing market. The film flawlessly pushes the stop motion medium further, and it takes us deep in to a surrealistic world, that feels real and cruel. The transformation of an apartment into a living creature is striking and unforgettable. We will think of it every time when we have to pay rent.”
Special Mention: Koniunkcja (Misaligned)
Directed by Marta Magnuska (Latvia, Poland)
Jury statement: “The Jury’s Special Mention goes to “Misaligned” by Marta Magnuska for the filmmaker’s artistic ability to describe a dysfunctional relationship from a female point of view.”
Jury: Signe Baumane (New York, USA) Chiara Magri (Turin, Italy), Anders Narverud Moen (Oslo, Norway, Izabela Plucińska (Berlin, Germany)
Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award for Animated Film: Zoon
Directed by Jonathan Schwenk (Germany)
Jury statement: “Lotte Reiniger was a master of creating her own worlds, and ‘Zoon’ by Jonatan Schwenk is a great example where unique design and perfect timing creates this kind of special world. The jury compliments the filmmaker’s use of different techniques to bring us into a world for both – laughter and contemplation.”
SWR Audience Award: Pasajero (Passenger)
Directed by Juan Pablo Zaramella (Argentina)
Young Animation Award: Ressources Humaines (Human Resources)
Directed by Isaac Wenzek, Titouan Tillier, Trinidad Plass
France, School: EMCA Ecole des Métiers du Cinéma d’Animation)
Jury statement:
“We chose ‚Human Resources’ because we felt it created a rich and beautiful world – with stunning attention to detail at every level – from the choice of materials and camera angles to the concise and economical storytelling. With impeccable timing and performances, this film delivers social commentary, wit and humor in a very short amount of time, showcasing that you can create a complete and satisfying narrative in under 4 minutes. Human Resources is a true stand-out film.“
Special Mention: Reprise
Directed by Carine Chrast, Leance Volschenk, Lio Neuenschwander, Saskia Bulletti
(Switzerland) School: Hochschule Luzern – Design & Kunst)
Jury statement:
“’Reprise’ is a subtle and nuanced short that expertly uses silence, timing and framing to suggest- rather than show – leaving audiences to interpret the full meaning of this powerful film.”
Jury: Sander Joon (Tallinn, Estonia) Piotr Kardas (Lodz, Poland) Vanessa Pfeiffer (Los Angeles, USA)
AniMovie Award for Best Animated Feature: Nayola
Directed by José Miguel Ribeiro (Portugal, Belgium, France, Netherlands)
Jury statement:
“Our unanimous choice for Best Animated Feature is a spectacular example of the power of animated storytelling. From the compelling narrative and bold, vivid use of color, to the unique production design, layout and camera work, and sound design and music, this film tells a story that leaves you reeling from its intensity and emotional honesty. A well-crafted tapestry of three generations of women and the choices they made to protect and defend their humanity in the face of the horrors and oppressive consequences of a civil war.”
Jury: Mike Buckland (Cape Town, South Africa) Kathrin Rothe (Berlin, Germany) Dan Sarto (Los Angeles, USA)
Trickster Nature Award: A World in Chaos
Directed by David Crisp, Hungary 2023, 9:46 min
Production: Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest
Jury statement:
“ A lot of issues that are very relevant for our times, presented in a way, that an audience can relate to. The jury’s decision was unanimous.”
Jury: Carina Borgards (Ludwigsburg, Germany), Nancy Denney-Phelps (Gent, Belgium), Lena von Döhren (Lucerne, Switzerland)
The Fantastic Award: Le Cri de Silence (The Silent Scream)
Camille Anne, Camille Leroy, Elisa Torris, Julie Vandenbergue, Lucas Foutrier, Martin Laurent
France; School: Pôle 3D
Jury statement:
“Where people are not heard, animated film can give them a voice. Where society is not looking, animated film can point a finger. Where hardly any jury has awarded a prize before, we are doing so now. With ‘Le Cri de Silence’ we are honoring a film that conveys a difficult subject in a visually impressive way, while maintaining a balance between compassion and wordless rage. Camille Anne, Camille Leroy, Elisa Torris, Julie Vandenbergue, Lucas Foutrier, Martin Laurent, welcome to the Animation Family!”
Special Mention:
Pipes
Directed by Jessica Meier, Kilian Feusi, Sujanth Ravichandran
Switzerland School: Hochschule Luzern – Design & Kunst
Jury statement:
“Our Special Mention goes into unknown territory for many, where there is a lot of pressure on the kettle. This is the place to be when laying pipes – Jessica Meier, Kilian Feusi, Sujanth Ravichandran: thanks for the great fun with ‘Pipes’ in dark times.”
Jury: Folke Damminger, Jürgen Frick, Sebastian Heck, Dorothea Kaufmann, Michaela Rehm, Karen Schmitt, Sven Schoengarth, Sabine Willmann
Crazy Horse Session – 48H Animation Jam: What’s Next?
Directed by Yohann Abdelnour and Nour Haidar (Lebanon)
Jury statement:
“As the jury, we fell in love with the metamorphosis of the Trixie and the experimental style of this film. It was like diving into a multiverse of Trixie. Each new scenario gave us a new interpretation of the main character. Even after watching the film multiple times, we discovered new things and perspectives. We wanted to watch it frame by frame to catch every little detail. Amazing work. Thank you for displaying so much passion and talent in your work. We would also like to give a special mention to the Swiss team, Sarah, Anna-Lena and Lara, and their film “Trixie’s Evolutionary Journey”. This film stood out with its clear message and moving visualization. Well done.”
The next Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film will take place from April 23 to 28, 2024. For more info, visit itfs.de
