Director of film about a young loner’s exploration and celebration of urban chaos will receive a $25,000 grant to develop an original animated project with FXX.
The GLAS Animation Festival has just announced its juried awards for their 2020 festival edition, with Adrien Mérigeau’s Genius Loci winning both the Glas 2020 Grand Prix and FXX Elevation Award.
The festival also announced that they’re extending the 2020 GLAS Animation Grant program entry deadline to May 1. This program is designed to fund independent animation filmmakers living and able to work in the United States who are making films outside of academic institutions. For the 2020 GLAS Animation Grant cycle, two separate $2500 grants (made possible with the support of an Anonymous donor) are to be awarded to two individual filmmakers living and working in the United States to create independent short films. More information regarding deadlines, criteria, application details, and FAQs, can be found on the GLAS Animation festival website.
In awarding the Grand Prix to Genius Loci, the jury stated, “Beautiful chaos. Through an unpredictable mixture of visuals and sounds, we contemplate the night of a loner woman that seems to be guided by a mystical unity.”
Sponsored by FX Networks, the FXX Elevation Award recognizes excellence in animated filmmaking and honors a film in competition that embodies distinctive characters, bold storytelling and a singular point of view. The winning director receives a $25,000 grant to develop an original animated project with FXX.
Commenting about Genius Loci, the network stated, “FX is proud to present the 2020 Elevation Award to Adrien Mérigeau’s Genius Loci. In its shifting lines, morphing colors, and elegant writing the film immerses us into the mind of the lonely soul, seamlessly capturing her fears, joys, relationships and eventual peace. A beautiful film that explores the chaos of our world while celebrating the subjectivity of the human experience.”
The Award for New Talent went to Daria Kascheeva for her Oscar-nominated stop-motion short, Daughter. In awarding the film, the jury commented, “The impressive camera movements align satisfyingly with the story, framing the love and hate between generations. We see what we don’t see: the absence of the mother; the little bird has to fly into a closed window, facing death, before she is able to flight. Poetic and well done.”
The Award for High Risk went to Swatted, by Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis. The jury noted, “A brilliantly executed examination of real-world violence within a digital subculture, repurposing the very games that are being played by the subjects. In Swatted, the medium is inextricably tied to the subject matter and the deconstruction of the playable digital spaces is incredibly poignant.”
The complete list of winners, with jury comments, is shown below:
Grand Prix
Genius Loci by Adrien Merigeau
“Beautiful chaos. Through an unpredictable mixture of visuals and sounds, we contemplate the night of a loner woman that seems to be guided by a mystical unity.”
High Risk
Swatted by Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis
“A brilliantly executed examination of real-world violence within a digital subculture, repurposing the very games that are being played by the subjects. In Swatted, the medium is inextricably tied to the subject matter and the deconstruction of the playable digital spaces is incredibly poignant.”
New Talent
Daughter by Daria Kashcheeva
“The impressive camera movements align satisfyingly with the story, framing the love and hate between generations. We see what we don’t see: the absence of the mother; the little bird has to fly into a closed window, facing death, before she is able to flight. Poetic and well done.”
Special Mention
Entropia by Flóra Anna Buda
“Honest, energetic, sensual and symbolic, it submerges us in an oniric universe full of vibrant colors and playful sounds.”
Special Mention
The Six by Xi Chen
“Whether the film follows a traditional form of Chinese shadow theater or rather employs its repetitive motifs to develop a cinematic language, the film fascinates with its poetry and composition.”
Special Mention
Movements by Dahee Jeong
“Incredibly fun vignettes of spatial play, and the surrealist combinations of character studies are striking and memorable. A joyous, disorienting piece.”
FXX ELEVATION AWARD
Genius Loci by Adrien Merigeau
“FX is proud to present the 2020 Elevation Award to Adrien Mérigeau’s GENIUS LOCI. In its shifting lines, morphing colors, and elegant writing the film immerses us into the mind of the lonely soul, seamlessly capturing her fears, joys, relationships and eventual peace. A beautiful film that explores the chaos of our world while celebrating the subjectivity of the human experience.”
Cartoon Brew Filmmaker to Watch Award
Riveria by Jonas Schloesing
“The film adopts a slow pace — always a risk — as it builds up a rich atmosphere. We experience the character’s disorientation and feel the oppressive heat of his environment. With humor, poignancy, and discipline, Riviera gives us an insight into true isolation.”
US Competition Winner
Cage Match by Bryan Lee
“Using subtle sound effects and weird dialogue, this story leads us to such an original and surreal world. The uncanny but somehow beautiful characters made us laugh. This is perfectly entertaining.”
Special Mention
Mizuko by Kira Dane/Katelyn Rebelo
“Using such a beautiful hand-drawn technique, live action footage and paper craft, this film deeply reminded me of a childhood memory and yarning. I was moved by every shot in this film.”
Family Competition Winner
Front Door by Ye-jin Lee
“Shut the front door! A strikingly simple story, elegantly crafted. A lesson in empathy for kids oF aLL AgEs!”
Special Mention
Friends Love by Miss. Diya M
“A touching, brutally concise, tale of platonic love. If you aren’t instantly enveloped by the world of Friends Love, we’ve got this message to send to you: To those with a heart, you are invited for those with a heart tour in GLAS2020 for 3 minutes FRIENDS LOVE ASSOCIATION.”
Best GIF
High Five Business by Christopher Rutledge
Source: GLAS Animation Festival
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
