First Edition of Rise&Shine Knows Its Winners
In 2022, CEE Animation launched a new animation pitching Lab aimed at young filmmakers. A two-part pitching event called Rise&Shine took place within the World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb from 6 to 8 June, and the second part within Animateka International Animated Film Festival from 28 November to 4 December 2022.
In June, a special focus was on the story of the project, which selected teams worked on with award-winning British animator Joanna Quinn, scriptwriter Les Mills, and Spanish writer Pedro Rivero. In addition, the participants had a chance to listen to inspirational lectures by Michael Dudok de Wit, who explained how to nurture and enhance creativity, and Jelena Popović, who spoke about the creative and supporting role of film producers in the development process.
In November, the participants focused on delivering a successful video pitch with Matthieu Darras, a French expert on film development and production, and on live presentation skills with Anna Vášová, a successful Czech writer and script editor.
The highlight of the six-month effort was the pitching competition of all animated works. The jury composed of Luce Grosjean (Miyu Distribution, France), Ana Nedeljković (director and animator, Serbia), Helga Fodorean (Safe Frame, Animest, Romania) and Eric Reginaud (Ciclic Animation, France) decided to award two promising projects. The winner of the animation lab is Croatian project Bloom by Kata Gugić, produced by Vanja Andrijević from Bonobostudio. This prize also includes direct access to the CEE Animation Forum 2023. Special Mention was given to Beresheet from Polish director Ala Nunu, produced by Portuguese company COLA Animation.
Three selected projects will also attend a programme Talents Connexion within Short Film Market Clermont-Ferrand on January 30, 2023:
Bloom, d. Kata Gugić, Croatia, p. Vanja Andrijević, Bonobostudio, Croatia
Beresheet, d. Ala Nunu, Poland, p. Bruno Caetano, COLA Animation, Portugal
Urosh, d. Mato Uljarević, Montenegro, p. Miljan Vučelić, DOK Produkcija, Montenegro
The animation lab Rise&Shine was organised with the support of Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union.