Winners of the 12th CEE Animation Forum Announced

The 12th CEE Animation Forum, the leading pitching and networking event in Central and Eastern Europe, took place on November 12 and 13 in Pilsen. Following two days of intensive pitches, 1:1 meetings and workshops, the event successfully concluded with the announcement of the winners.

A total of 31 projects, divided into four categories – 9 features, 7 TV series, 9 short films, and 6 student shorts – were included in the Pitching Competition. The selected projects cover a diverse range of topics and target audiences, from children up to the age of 12 (10 projects) and teenagers (5) to adults and young adults (16). The total budget for these projects exceeds staggering 40 million EUR.

“I am amazed by the overall quality of the pitches and the energy invested in these incredible animated film projects. The majority of them left the audience breathless. The bravery and enthusiasm with which the presenters—both young students and experienced filmmakers with highly ambitious projects—performed on stage is truly inspiring. We are proud to see the projects that participated in our other activities, like CEE Animation Workshop or Rise and Shine pitching lab, come well-prepared and start their successful development,” said Marta Jallageas, Managing Director of the CEE Animation Forum.

The awards were distributed in a total amount of 40,000 EUR.

CEE Animation Forum 2024 Awards:

AUDIENCE AWARD

Toink! sc. Bert Lesaffer, p. Kristof Lantin, Animal Tank, Belgium

FEATURE FILMS CATEGORY

Winner – Saima – Scenes from a Midlife Crisis, d. Chintis Lundgren, p. Draško Ivezić, Adriatic Animation, Chintis Lundgreni Animatsioonistuudio, Croatia

Jury statement: After a nice debate, we have decided to award the film “Saima, scenes from a midlife crisis”. We all found the pitch very promising. We liked in particular the intimate exploration of this midlife crisis with a very lively, humorous and at times psychedelic approach, as well as the interesting blend of realism and magical realism. Basically we’re looking forward to seeing the film and get in between your smelly sheets.

TV SERIES CATEGORY

Winner – Toink!, sc. Bert Lesaffer, p. Kristof Lantin, Animal Tank, Belgium

Jury statement: We selected the project for its well-structured, original pitch and its genuine commitment to inclusivity and differences. The project stood out for its heartfelt approach to helping young audiences navigate the ups and downs of growing up, and embracing challenges in all their forms.

Special Mention – The End, d. Paul Muresan, p. Mihai Mitrica, Safe Frame, Romania

SHORT FILMS CATEGORY

Winner – Ant, d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany

Jury statement: For a compelling pitch and presentation of a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, the jury of the short film projects is pleased to award the prize to Jonatan Schwenk for “Ant”. Congratulations!

Special Mention – Killin’ It, d. Balázs Turai, p. Péter Benjámin Lukács, Boddah, Hungary

STUDENT FILMS CATEGORY

Winner – My Granny Amphibian, d. Viktória Zimmermannová, p. Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava – VŠMU, Slovakia

Jury statement: The main award goes to a project that is very well developed, stands out visually and speaks about loss and memory from a child’s perspective. We are convinced by the way the story is told and surprised by the unique and engaging character of the anthropomorphic frog eating the objects that symbolize the memories of the boys granny. The award goes to “My Granny Amphibian” by Viktória Zimmermannová.

Special Mention – Cashier, d. Alina Sivets, p. University of West Bohemia, Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art, Czech Republic

Jury statement: Special mention goes to a project that tells a simple story of everyday life from a fresh angle. We can see the great potential of the project, both regarding the materiality of the technique and the stories that the products can evoke in our minds. Mention goes to “The Cashier” by Alina Sivets.

CEE Animation Workshop Scholarship

English Lessons, d. Ivan Tymchenko, p. Svitlana Soloviova, Digital Platform, Svitlofor Film, Ukraine

Ciclic Residency

Ant, d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany

Travelling – distribution award

Winner – Ant, d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany
Special Mention – A Walk in Nature, d. Matej Mihalyi, p. Academy of Arts Architecture & Design in Prague UMPRUM, Czech Republic

Cartoon MOVIE – direct access

In My Head, d. Veronika Zúbek Kocourková, p. Monika Lošťáková, Super film, Slovakia
The Axolotls, d. Filip Posivac, p. Barbora Chaberova, Bionaut, Czech Republic

TVPaint – animation license

Total Eclipse, d. & p. Marija Stojnić, Set Sail Films

Young Horizons Industry – direct access

Finding Home, d. Anja Manou Hellem, p. Lillian Løvseth, Trollfilm, Norway

Animarkt Stop Motion Forum – direct access

Ant, d. & p. Jonatan Schwenk, Germany

BratroNICE Residency

A Walk in Nature, d. Matej Mihalyi, p. Academy of Arts Architecture & Design in Prague UMPRUM, Czech Republic

CEE Animation Forum is financially supported by International Visegrad Fund, Ministry of Culture Czech Republic, Czech Film Fund, Audiovisual Producers´ Association CZ, Pilsen Region, Polish Film Institute, Slovak Audiovisual Fund, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest and LITA.