Michaela Pavlátová, seen in the left photo shooting Unava pro dva (Lassitude for Two), turned down a marriage proposal from the audience at Anima Mundi 2001. Happy William (right) is the Flash animation on which she's presently working. Unava pro dva © Negativ S.R.O 2003. Photo credit: V. Polak; Happy William © Michaela Pavlátová, 2003.

2001
Michaela Pavlátová
Born in Prague, Czech Republic, Michaela originally worked as an animation director (Words, words, word), and then combined animation with documentary film (On Grandma) before directing a live-action feature (Double Solitude). When she discovered how real actors don't obey, she returned to Flash animation and is in production on Lassitude for Two (Unava pro dva). Michaela's work can be viewed at www.volny.cz/mpavlatova/show/

The Anima Mundi audience is the best, most active, most spontaneous, most "animated." I enjoyed all of this in the discussion after showing my films. I felt adored like a queen; they let me feel beautiful and intelligent. I think there was also one very cute offer for marriage from the audience. (I was silly I did not accept.) I recommend, if you ever have a problem with self esteem (or want to get married), Anima Mundi will help!

The Prodigal Son Returneth: Carlos Saldanha went back to his hometown as a guest speaker for Anima Mundi 2002.

2002
Carlos Saldanha
A native carioca, Carlos Saldanha has been part of Blue Sky's creative team since 1993, after finishing his animated short Time for Love. Carlos was Blue Sky's supervising animator for the talking and dancing roaches in the feature film Joe's Apartment (1996) and the co-director on Blue Sky's first animated feature film Ice Age (2002).

Anima Mundi has a special meaning to me, because besides being a fantastic event created by an amazing and talented group of artists, it takes place in Rio de Janeiro my hometown, and it's always great to be back home to share my experience with the animation community there. The festival also is incredible because it focuses on all styles of animation as an art form, ranging from experimental work all the way to the latest computer-generated feature films. It's hard to pick the best moment I had there, because there were so many, but last year for the celebration of their tenth anniversary, as a surprise, we (the guest speakers) were presented with a wonderful handmade puppet-like trophy that actually moved when you turned the crank. This moment was very memorable for me because it was also my birthday. It was a fun celebration!