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‘The Breadwinner’ Tops Inaugural Animation Is Film Prizes

‘The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales’ takes Special Jury Prize.

LOS ANGELES -- Animation is Film announced the winners of its inaugural festival with The Breadwinner, directed by Nora Twomey, sweeping both top honors of The Grand Prize, selected by the festival jury, and the Audience Award, selected by festival attendees.

Twomey co-directed the Oscar-nominated The Secret of Kells from Ireland's Cartoon Saloon, the animation studio behind the Oscar-nominated Song of the Sea. Additionally, The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales, from Oscar-nominated Benjamin Renner (Ernest & Celestine) and Patrick Imbert, took home The Special Jury Prize. The film was produced by Oscar-nominated Didier Brunner (Kirikou and the Sorceress, Triplets of Belleville, The Secret of Kells, Ernest & Celestine).

Speaking on behalf of the entire jury, festival jury chair Peter Debruge said: "The Breadwinner is not just an incredibly important film, but one that reminds us of the power of animation to communicate serious issues in the world. Transforming hardship into a warm and moving story, the movie represents a triumph by its director, Nora Twomey, in terms of script, voice acting, design, music and editing. The films in competition this year illustrated the many techniques and possibilities of animation, but The Breadwinner was a clear favorite among our jury. Special Jury Prize goes to The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales a comedy that celebrates the joys of traditional cartoon animation.”

The inaugural edition of Animation is Film took place Oct. 20-22 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theater in Hollywood. The festival presented a selection of twelve new animated feature films in competition, with selections from Asia, Europe, South America and North America, and filmmakers attending for most screenings. Additionally, the festival presented studio events, special screenings, short film programs, and a VR lounge, with the majority of screenings selling out.

The festival was presented by GKIDS, Annecy Int'l Animation Film Festival, Variety and ASIFA-Hollywood, with major sponsors Los Angeles Times, IndieWire, Cartoon Brew, Fathom Events and Google.

Source: Animation is Film

Thomas J. McLean's picture

Tom McLean has been writing for years about animation from a secret base in Los Angeles.