Anifest 2006 closed its 5th year in Trebon, Czech Republic on May 10, 2006, with its presentation of awards. The Anifest Grand Prix goes to KARNEVAL ZVÍAT (THE CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS) by the Czech director Michaela Pavlátová. The film had its world premiere at AniFest. The Prize for the Best Feature-Length Film stays in the Czech Republic as well, going to FIMFÁRUM 2 by the directors Jan Balej, Vlasta Pospíilová, Betislav Pojar and Aurel Klimt.

Films from more than 49 countries were shown at this year’s AniFest and more than 150 filmmakers came to the festival from abroad. “AniFest is perfectly organized, the program and the additional events were great. I think that AniFest is one of the best festivals in Europe because it is not so commercial. Here you can see many films that you can’t see elsewhere, which is not always the case at other festivals,” said Tim Searle, a British animator and one of the jurors.

“This year’s Anifest has confirmed its growing importance. The response from foreign filmmakers proves that the festival has earned a lot of respect, at least in Europe,” said the festival director Petr Slavík. “I hope we’ll be able to maintain the tendency of growing quality and prestige on the international scene even in the future,” he added.

Complete Results of AniFest 2006

AniFest Grand Prix for the Best Original Film
Michaela Pavlátová
KARNEVAL ZVÍ_AT (THE CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS)
“A provocative perspective on the sheer strangeness and diversity of human sexuality.”

Best Feature-Length Film
Jan Balej, Vlasta Pospíilová, Betislav Pojar and Aurel Klimt
FIMFÁRUM 2
“FIMFARUM proves the continued vitality of the Czech puppet animation tradition. The film is also innovative in its seamless integration of drawn and puppet animation.”

Best Short Film
Denis Gaelle
CITY PARADISE
“Such a richly imaginative evocation of being a stranger in a strange land. Totally original in form, content and humor, it uses new technology to create a new film language, and one that also achieves an emotional impact.”

Special Jury Prize
Regina Pessoa
HISTÓRIA TRÁGICA COM FINAL FELIZ (A TRAGIC STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING)
“A poetic and emotionally affecting story, beautifully designed and created. The sound design becomes an integral part of the story telling, its very heartbeat.”

Special Mentions
Isabel Herguera
LA GALLINA CIEGA (BLINDMAN’S BLUFF)
“An original design.”

Joanna Toste
MENU AND A DAMA DA LAPA (THE LADY OF LAPA)
“Promising new talent.”

Grand Prix for Television and Commission Production
Smith & Foulkes
Motorola “Grand Classics”
“Beautifully art directed and animated, charting significant milestones in cinema history, with great timing and smooth transitions.”

Best Television Film
Hiroyuki Nakao
STEAM HEAD
“For its original design and concept, animated with great expression, clever and unique use of technology.”

Best Video Clip Of This Year
Radek Doskoil.
MURDER SONG
“Matching the sentiment of the song, the animation employs a clever use of the comicbook technique with great effect. The palette and design are well executed, simple but effective use of animation.”

Best Advertisement and Introductory Spot
Smith & Foulkes
Ter “Cheetah & Waiting Beauty”
“Great use of humor to deliver the message in a clear and effective way. Excellent design ad wonderfully expressive animation.”

Special Jury Prize in Commercial and Television Film
Mark Baker and Astley Neville
PEPPA PIG – Mummy Pig at Work
“PEPPA PIG hits the spot with wonderfully scripted, witty and simple animation with great timing and pacing. Perfectly integrated voices and sound effects. A joy.”

Special Jury Mention
Isao Nishigori
ACIDMAN