The film is currently being released in USA by Zeitgeist Films and due to popular demand has had an extended run at the IFC Center in New York. Baumane and co-producer Sturgis Warner will also submit the film for the Academy Awards’ Animated Feature Film category.
The Latvian/USA production is a personal story of the animator known for her daring films addressing issues such as women’s rights, sex and how it feels to go to the dentist as well as her long-term collaboration with Bill Plympton.
In Rocks in my Pockets Signe tells the story of five women from her family, including herself, and their battles with madness. The film is packed with visual metaphors, surreal images and her twisted sense of humor.
Dubbed “a funny film about depression” the film is the critics’ darling and was so far called “modern milestone in animated storytelling” (Variety), “sharp, surprising and funny” (New York Times), “a welcome contrast to modern computer-generated animation (Screen International) and “a very personal animated film that explores depression (…) with wit, surreal invention and insight.” (The Hollywood Reporter).
The film world-premiered as the first ever animation in the international competition of the Karlovy Vary IFF where it picked up the FIPRESCI award and Special Mention of the Ecumenical jury. Since then it won Poland’s key animation festival Animator and was selected for San Sebastian, Busan and London International Animation Festival among others.
The film has two versions – a less dense one in Latvian, which is submitted by that country for the Academy’s consideration, and a more informative one in English language, where extra commentary of the Latvian historical and political background is given.
The English language version is currently being released in the US by Zeitgeist Films to critical acclaim and sold-out screenings at the IFC Center in New York. Los Angeles screenings are also ongoing. A multi-city US release will follow. 
World sales are handled by the Polish agency New Europe Film Sales.
Jan Naszewski, CEO, commented: “We hope that the film can make an impact similar to last year’s The Missing Picture, which was on the shortlist for best foreign language film. We are happy to see an animation and a strong female voice in this competition.”
