On-demand edition of ITFS begins tomorrow, running through May 10, with nine features and more than 200 films in total.
Organizers of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) have just released the program for their digital festival, OnlineFestival.ITFS.de, that starts tomorrow and runs through May 10.
The OnlineFestival+ is filled with more than 200 films, including nine features; among the feature-length films is the European premiere of A Costume for Nicolas by Eduardo Rivero (Mexico, 2019), as well as cult hits like the Oscar-nominated stop-motion classic, Mary & Max.
Animation fans can select from entries in the following competitions, which can be streamed on-demand from May 5-10 exclusively. A special thanks for to the numerous filmmakers who provided video statements so viewers can gain an insight into their work and find out more about the film. Selected children's films by Tricks for Kids will also be accompanied by media-pedagogical material.
The film programs at a glance follows below – you can find complete information here.
International Competition: artistically high-quality animated short films of the last twelve months AniMovie: Feature film competition with internationally outstanding animated films
Young Animation: Competition for the best short films by students
Tricks for Kids: Award for the best animated short film for children
Trickstar Nature: International animated short films that deal with topics including climate protection, biodiversity, environment and sustainability
In addition, animated films from the supporting programs Best of ITFS and Panorama can be watched.
Access to the OnlineFestival+ costs a one-time fee of 9,99€, and can be bought starting May 5 on OnlineFestival.ITFS.de. The access ends when the festival ends on May 10.
International Competition
The international scope of the short films as well as the variety of topics reflects the usual high quality program of the ITFS: From Tomek Popakul with ACID RAIN (Poland, 2019), the Colectif Illlogic with Maestro (France, 2019), to renowned studios like Tumblehead Animations with Tales from the Multiverse (Magnus Møller, Mette Tange, Peter Smith, Denmark, 2019), up to well-known stars such as Konstantin Bronzit with He an't live without cosmos (Russia, 2019) - the International Competition shines with artistically valuable and entertaining animated short films.
AniMovie Competition and other feature films
Among the feature films is also confirmed a European premiere: A Costume for Nicolas / Director: Eduardo Rivero (Mexico, 2019, 83 min), about a ten-year-old boy with Down's syndrome, whose mother made a costume for his birthday every year - until she died. And so Nicolas joined his loving grandparents and his cousin David. Nicolas is soon to use these magical costumes to save his cousin from his nightmares and a whole kingdom from chaos in an adventure.
Zero Impunity / Director: Nicolas Blies and Stéphane Hueber-Blies (France / Luxembourg, 2018, 92 min) of the AniMovie Competition 2020: An animated artistic documentary and a call to join the growing global movement that tolerates zero tolerance for sexual violence in war zones around the world - including Syria and Ukraine, on the African continent and in the USA. Zero Impunity features inspiring victims, social workers and activists around the globe who have the courage to get involved, resist and mobilize others. These stories confront us with the terrible mechanisms of international institutions and ancient methods of war and interrogation. A film about love, life and humanity.
Marona's Fantastic Tale / Director: Anca Damien (Romania, France, Belgium, 2019, 92 min) also of the AniMovie Competition 2020 about Marona, a mongrel dog who was hit by a car. She is still in a state of shock when she feels her soul slowly rise and leave her body. She sees cars racing by and roaming over her lifeless body, while Solange, her current last mistress, sheds crocodile tears for her.
>> Can only be watched in Germany
The hand-drawn animated feature film Ethel and Ernest (Roger Mainwood, UK 2016,94 min, Nominee for AniMovie ITFS 2017) is based on the book by renowned British author and illustrator Raymond Briggs and tells the true story of Briggs' parents Ethel and Ernest - two ordinary Londoners living in a time of extraordinary events and social upheaval. From the 1920s with its social stratification to the moon landing in 1969, the film shows decisive moments of the 20th century.
The film Wrinkles / Director: Ignacio Ferreras (Spain 2011, 90 min and AniMovie winner ITFS 2012) is a rousing portrait of the friendship between Emilio and Miguel, two elderly gentlemen who were deported to a nursing home. The newcomer Emilio has Alzheimer's in the early stages and is saved by Miguel and his colleagues from ending up on the dreaded top floor of the home. Their wild plan lends a good dose of humor and tenderness to their otherwise boring daily routine.
AniMovie winner of ITFS 2015 Beyond Beyond / Director: Ebsen Toft Jacobsen (Sweden, Denmark 2014, 78 min, German Version, recommended from 6 years) about Johan, who for as long as he can remember, he and his father lived by the sea. At least he was three and his mother disappeared. Johann is good at diving and is a talented mechanic. He helps his father repair the ship. One day Johan receives a distress call on the radio with a note about his mother's whereabouts...
Watch for free on the live stream on OnlineFestival.ITFS.de! On May 7 (Focus France from 8 pm) we show A Monster in Paris / Director: Bibo Bergeron (France, 2011, 90 min, German Version) about a strange creature that terrifies Paris of the year 1910 The culprits are Emile, a shy projectionist, and the crazy inventor Raoul. They created the creature by mistake. So the two friends go on a monster hunt to make up for their mistake. During their surprising adventure they make the acquaintance of the beautiful and warm-hearted singer Lucille.
Young Animation – the next generation of the animated film scene
From South Africa, to China, Japan, the USA and Europe: about 60 films by students from all over the world show the spectrum of current animated film production.
Tricks for Kids – Animated Films For Kids
Whether Ron Dyens’ Melting Heart Cake (France, 2019) or Verena Fels’ Tobi and the Turbobus (Germany, 2019) the competition category "Tricks For Kids" leaves the hearts of animated film fans beats faster - whether young or old. Media-pedagogical accompanying material is offered for selected films.
Trickstar Nature - Films for the environment and nature
In the new competition category "Trickstar Nature", which shows films that deal with the environment and nature, well-known studios such as Folimage with Northern Lights (France, Switzerland, 2019) or the short film POLARBARRY-LET’S BREAK THE ICE!!-VLOG#207 by Wouter Dijkstra (Netherlands, Great Britain, 2019).
This access to the OnlineFestival+ costs 9,99€ once and can be bought starting May 5 on OnlineFestival.ITFS.de. Access ends with the festival completion on May 10.
Source: ITFS
