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 years 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 cant see elsewhere, which is not always the case at other festivals, said Tim Searle, a British animator and one of the jurors.
This years 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 well 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 2FIMFARUM 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 MentionsIsabel Herguera LA GALLINA CIEGA (BLINDMANS 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 ClassicsBeautifully art directed and animated, charting significant milestones in cinema history, with great timing and smooth transitions.
Best Television Film Hiroyuki Nakao STEAM HEADFor its original design and concept, animated with great expression, clever and unique use of technology.
Best Video Clip Of This YearRadek 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 & FoulkesTer 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 WorkPEPPA 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 ACIDMANAn imaginative use of technology to deliver an eruption of moods and colors.
Smith and FoulkesTouareg "Racing LineSimple, clear image delivering the message with restrained use of technology.
Grand Prix for the Best Student Film Asaf Agranat from Edinburgh College of Art.BUS RIDE AND FLOWER IN HER HAIR The animation design and poetics of the story.
Prize for the Best School Collection Frances La Poudriére School. For the Jury this collection was interesting thanks to its variety and quality of the design. Many of these films have a good story that is well directed. Students works were awarded for their poetics, humanism and esthetics. These works show a significant influence of good tutorship.
Special Jury Prize for the Best School Collection Frances Supinfocom Valenciennes This year again, the collection of this school appealed to the jury by using the latest techniques of 3D computer animation without leaving aside a good story and the artistic aspect of the work. Students works show a significant influence of good tutorship, which is reflected in the artistic progress of the students.
Special Jury Prizes Jules Janaud, Raphaël Martinez-Bachel, François Roisin from Supinfocom Valenciennes90° For a perfectly managed 3D computer animation and an interesting subject, as well as the combination of design, animation, sound and editing.
Joseph Feltus from British Edinburgh College of Art SchoolSOLO DUETS A sophisticated puppet animation and camera work. We particularly appreciate the courage you have because you continue making puppet films.
Prize for the Best Film made by Children given to directors under 15 years MAIS PERTO DAS NUCENA, MAIS PERTO DOS SONAOS (CLOSER TO CLOUDS, CLOSER TO DREAMS)
Special jury mention in Film made by Children given to directors under 15 years SKROCÓNA HISTORYA SWIATA Z GLINY / SHORT STORY OF THE WORLD OF CLAY
Jury Honorary Mention ABSTRACTO / ABSTRACTION
Prize of the Minister of Culture Libor Pixa PSICHOModern way of dealing with classical dramatic theme and humanistic dimension underlined, paradoxically, by a sensitive use of computer technologies.
For more information, visit www.anifest.cz.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
