In 2021, CEE Animation Forum opened a special short film category for
students only, enabling them to enter the professional animation
industry early in their careers. Especially in this new category, the
debuting artists need to deliver specific materials at a certain quality
level which can be challenging for them. “In this first pilot edition, we
wanted to support first and second-time filmmakers and students
coming from the Balkan region. However, we decided to open the call
to all European countries and welcome experienced producers who
are eagerly searching for young talents and accompanying them
during their first works,” explains Marta Jallageas, managing director of
CEEA Forum.
The selection of ten short animated projects includes several students
or debuting directors who will be accompanied by well-established
film professionals such as Vessela Dantcheva (Compote Collective,
Bulgaria), who keeps a diverse portfolio of short animated films; Lana
Tankosa Nikolic (Late Love Production, Denmark) working with great
names such as Michelle and Uri Kranot, Paul Bush and Martina Scarpelli;
Kolja Saksida (ZVVIKS, Slovenia), a co-producer of the long-awaited
animated feature Of Unwanted Things and People; Estonian producer
Aurelia Aasa (AAA Creative) focusing on fresh projects lined with dark
humour; Vanja Andrijević from the award-winning Croatian production
and distribution company Bonobo; or Mladen Đukić, a producer and
teacher at the Academy of Arts, University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
In Zagreb, ten selected animated projects will receive an intense
programme of lectures and individual consultations with experienced
film professionals in the field of animation. The participants will develop
their short films and pitching skills with renowned animation
professionals. At Animafest Zagreb, a special focus will be on the story
of the project, which they will work on with award-winning British
animator Joanna Quinn, Les Mills, and Spanish writer Pedro Rivero. In
addition, the participants will have a chance to listen to inspirational
lectures by Michael Dudok de Wit, who will explain how to nurture and
enhance creativity, and Jelena Popović, who will speak about the
creative and supporting role of film producers in the development
process.
World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb is one of the most
important animation festivals and the second oldest one in the world.
Launched in 1972, thanks to the global reputation of the filmmakers
originating in the Zagreb School of Animation, Animafest Zagreb
celebrates its 50th anniversary this year! With over 350 films in
competition, retrospective and thematic programmes, a symposium
on contemporary animation studies, presentations, exhibitions,
lectures, and workshops held at numerous locations across the city
from 6 to 11 June 2022, the festival will provide a comprehensive insight
into contemporary animated production and celebrate its rich
tradition.
The second part of the pitching lab will take place at Animateka
International Animated Film Festival in December 2022, where
selected teams will receive lessons on pitching preparations and
improving their presentation skills. The participants will focus 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. On-
site in Ljubljana, the participants will also take part in the pitching
competition. The winning project(s) of this regional pitching
competition will be invited to the CEE Animation Forum 2023.
SELECTED PROJECTS FOR RISE AND SHINE 2022:
A Visualization of a Cut
d. Claudia Munksgaard Palmqvist, Denmark
p. Lana Tankosa Nikolic, Late Love Production, Denmark
Beresheet
d. Ala Nunu, Poland
p. Bruno Isaac Grade Caetano, COLA Animation, Portugal
Fur
d. Miha Reja, Slovenia
p. Kolja Saksida, ZVVIKS, Slovenia
Mr. John Daniel
d. Kinga Syrek, Poland
p. Rafał Sakowski, Studio Filmów Rysunkowych (Animation Film Studio),
Poland
Nightbloom
d. Kata Gugić, Croatia
p. Vanja Andrijević, Bonobostudio, Croatia
Offside
d. Sander Joon, Estonia
p. Aurelia Aasa, AAA Creative, Estonia
Opening
d. Dalija Dozet, Croatia
art d. Petra Zlonoga, Croatia
p. Tina Tišljar, Pulpa, Croatia
Run
d. Ina Nikolova
p. Vessela Dantcheva, Compote Collective, Bulgaria
The Bright Descendant
d. Tamara Maksimović, Serbia
p. Mladen Đukić, Aeon Production, Bosnia and Herzegovine
Urosh
d. Mato Uljarević, Montenegro
p. Danilo Vujačić, DOK Produkcija, Montenegro
Detailed description of projects can be found here.
The animation lab Rise and Shine is organised with the support of
Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union.
