25-03-2009

Two Latvian animators’ films at the Annecy’09 official competition program

    Wings and Oars (2009, Latvia) by Vladimir Leschiov and Birth (2009, Italy/USA) by Signe Baumane has been chosen for the offical short film competition program of 2009 at the prestigious animation film festival in Annecy.

    The latest works by both authors - Lost in Snow (2007) by Leschiov and two films by Signe Baumane - The Teat Beat of Sex, Episodes 8, 9, 10, 11 (2007) and Veterinarian (2007) -

    had gained international festival success already - several awards, nominations and jury mentions

    at various festivals around the globe. Now their latest work will have an international premiere

    at the most respected animation festival.

    Actually this is the second time when Vladimir Leschiov's film participates at the International Animation Film Festival in Annecy. His short animation Grandad's Honey (2002, Sweden/ Latvia) participated at Annecy'03 out of competition program.

    39 - year old director Leschiov has finished Art School in Riga in 1989 and studied animation at Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Sweden.

    Since 1992 he has been working as illustrator, designer and director for video production companies in Latvia. In 2002 he made his first 4 minute animation - Letter as director, scriptwriter and artist. Since 2005 he is teaching animation at Latvian Academy of Arts and in 2007 he established his animation studio Lunohod in Riga.

    Signe Baumane, the Member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been living and working in three cities - Riga, Moscow and New York. She graduated Moscow University with a BA in Philosophy in 1989 and started her career at Dauka Animation Studio in Riga in 1989. In 1991 she made her debut as scriptwriter, director, and artist with a 2 minute animated film The Witch and the Cow and has been working with animation since. Besides animation she works as illustrator for books. In 1996 she started working at Bill Plympton's studio as production manager, color stylist and cell painter for various Bill Plympton's animations. Since fall 2000 she is teaching animation at Pratt institute (New York, USA).

    Filmography of Vladimir Leschiov (director)

    Wings and Oars, 2009

    Lost in Snow, 2007

    Insomnia, 2004

    Grandad's Honey, 2002

    The Letter, 2002

    Wings & Oars (Spārni un airi)

    Latvia, 2009, 5'38", 2D animation, colour

    Dir. , prod. : Vladimir Leschiov

    A former pilot looks back over his past: the earth, the sky, a woman... and a journey between an airfield and an abandoned nautical station.

    Filmography of Signe Baumane (director)

    The Witch and the Cow, 1991

    Tiny Shoes, 1993
    The Gold of the Tigers, 1995

    Love Story, 1998

    The Threatened One, 1999

    Natasha, 2001

    Five F*cking Fables, 2002

    Woman, 2002

    The Teat Beat of Sex, Episodes 8, 9, 10, 11 (2007)
    Veterinarian (2007)

    Birth

    USA/Italy, 2009, 11'45", 2D animation, colour

    Dir.: Signe Baumane

    Prod.: Pierre Poire/ Pierre Poire Productions

    17-year-old Amina is pregnant and afraid of giving birth. She goes to an older woman for consolation but her stories scare her even more.