One of the darlings of the festival scene since its first bow at the 2022 Annecy Festival, the mixed-media animated short The Debutante has made its free streaming debut as a Vimeo Staff Pick Premiere today. In addition to the acclaimed short, Vimeo viewers are treated to directors’ commentary by Hobbs in the interactive video.
A spirited young woman persuades a hyena from London Zoo to take her place at a dreaded dinner dance being held in her honor. Their plan requires a surprising amount of artistry and violence.
Brought to life with ink, paint and collage, he film is based on a short story written by British artist Leonora Carrington, who herself was presented to the court of King George V and became a debutante in 1936.
Over the last two years, The Debutante has played in some 118 screenings around the world, picking up more than 15 awards — including the Animated Short Jury Award at SXSW, Best Short at the biennial British Animation Awards, the Grand Prix Golden Pegasus at ANMATOR, the Grand Prize – International Short Film at Bucheon International Animation Festival and the Lab Special Jury Prize at Clermont-Ferrand.
The piece was also shortlisted for the 95th Academy Award for Animated Short Film and nominated for the 2023 European Film Award for European Short Film.
The Debutante is a film by Elizabeth Hobbs, produced by Animate Projects, with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery, and with thanks to the Estate of Leonora Carrington.
Watch The Debutante on Vimeo and read more about the film at animateprojects.org.
