The CEE Animation Forum, the largest pitching and networking event in Central and Eastern Europe, took place Nov 2-4, presenting 33 projects in four main competitions, with the juries presenting awards to a total of 14 animated works. This year, audiences were able to follow the program in the creative space DEPO2015 in Plzeň and connect to broadcasts on social media.

An intensive two days were filled with a wide range of projects searching for potential partners amid the live audiences and via virtual platforms. “Most of all, it was amazing to observe the student teams that presented their work to audiences with great courage. Proof of this support is that the audience award was given to a project from the Rising Stars section,” said Marta Jallageas, Managing Director of the CEE Animation Forum. Organizers also noted the substantial female presence in the project pitches this year, with a ratio of 36 women to 27 men.

An important part of the program was the panel discussion with representatives of national television broadcasters, featuring Petr Farkaš (CT, Czech Republic), Halka Marčeková (RTVS, Slovakia), Audronė Šepetė (LRT, Lithuania), Tiivi Tuur (ERR, Estonia), Zane Valeniece (LTV, Latvia) and Kresimir Zubcic (HRT, Croatia). Participating broadcasters agreed that support for local productions is a priority for them when purchasing animation projects, despite the current adverse financial situation.

CEE Animation is an active player in the animation industry and regularly addresses the concerns of the local industry. During a closed meeting between television representatives and CEE Animation, potential steps to help animation creation in the region were discussed. CEEA works to create the conditions under which local animation projects can materialize, and this meeting also opened up the question of possible co-ordination of co-operation with regard to support for domestic productions.

CEE Animation Pitch Winners

AUDIENCE AWARD
I’ll Be There When You Wake Up
d. Nina Chubinishvili, p. Willem de Kooning Academie, Netherlands

FEATURE FILMS 
Jury: Lubica Orechovská (Pubres), Richard Lutterbeck (TrickStudio Lutterbeck), Valentin Rebondy (Cinema Public Films)
WINNER: The Helpers
d. Betina Bożek, p. Grzegorz Skorupski, Animoon, Poland
Jury statement: We found the project to be very courageous and challenging in terms of telling the story by selecting different visual styles and genres. It´s fresh and new. It comes with a universal topic — how much love can surprise us at any time and literally brings so much colors into our previous “waffle” dry world. It also illustrates how much determination these costs. During the presentation we were given a very clear picture about the intention of the creative and production team.

SPECIAL MENTION: Sorya
d. Denis Do, p. Sébastien Onomo, Marion Boffelli, Special Touch Studios, France
Jury statement: We like this project for its precious and authentic connection between its core topic, story, place and its director. We grew attached to the strong female character, a young girl named Sorya, becoming an independent woman, just like her homeland Cambodia is quickly changing into an open and modern society. The plot is full of energy and is also visually strong, which immediately gets you hooked. And it is a great musical adventure!

SERIES / TV SPECIALS
Jury: Kristel Tõldsepp (A Film), Michelle Hoekstra (lemming film), Hisko Hulsing
WINNER: Bug City
d. Jøran Wærdahl, p. Kjersti Greger, Klipp og Lim, Norway
Jury statement: We were impressed by the unique style and tone of this project. It seems a very brave move to let the story take place in a dark and gloomy world, completely inhabited by insects. However, we are convinced that the combination of drama and dark humor will end up being very entertaining.

SPECIAL MENTION: Lemon and Berry
d. Ilenia Cotardo, Piotr Ficner, p. Anna Mroczek, WJT / Likaon, Poland
Jury statement: The project has relatable characters, rich visuals and is well-suited for the target audience. The presentation was well-prepared and convincing.

SHORT FILMS
Jury: Alexandre Siqueira (BAP – Animation Studios), Milo Cremer Eindhoven (Submarine), Bastien Martin (Camera, etc.)
WINNER: Supersillynurseryrhyme
d. Veronica Martiradonna, p. Ron Dyens, Sacrebleu Productions, France
Jury statement: Supersilly showcases a promising and daring union of story and style. The animation excites, capturing spontaneity and an organic feel in its movement. But, more importantly, the project offers a singular voice that needs to be heard.

SPECIAL MENTION: Funfair
d. Éva Darabos, p. József Fülöp, Orsolya Sipos, SALTO Films, Hungary
Jury statement: Éva Darabos has built a world that we are keen to explore further, having charmed us with its grotesque and humorous style.

RISING STARS
Jury: Eleanor Coleman (Indie Sales), Luca Tóth, Ivan Zuber (Laïdak Films)
WINNER: The Spell
d. Dora Pejić Bach, p. University of Ljubljana, Academy of Fine Arts and Design – ALUO, Slovenia
WINNER: The Chicken’s Calling
d. Rebecca Osterberg, p. Hochschule Wismar, Germany
Jury statement: For the first time in the history of the CEE Animation Forum, there will be two winners who will share the prize. Why? Because we are convinced that these very different projects both stood out and deserve the top recognition. They are both well developed, radically different and most importantly very authentic and doable. We are so looking forward to seeing these films completed.

CEE ANIMATION WORKSHOP – 2023 Scholarship Award
The Girl with Occupied Eyes
d. André Carrilho, p. Hemi Fortes, Blablabla Media, Portugal

CICLIC AWARD (35,000 EUR)
Funfair
d. Éva Darabos, p. József Fülöp, Orsolya Sipos, SALTO Films, Hungary

TVPAINT AWARD (professional license)
M-0
d. Vivien Csigó, p. Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest, Hungary

CARTOON FORUM AWARD (direct access for 2023)
9 Million Colors
d. Bára Anna Stejskalová, p. Jakub Kostal, Bionaut, Czech Republic

ANIMARKT STOP MOTION FORUM AWARD (direct access for 2023)
Bug City
d. Jøran Wærdahl, p. Kjersti Greger, Klipp og Lim, Norway
Bruno
d. Danas Bereznickas, p. Inesa Ivanova, MB Danas Bereznickas, Lithuania

KIDS KINO INDUSTRY AWARD (direct access for 2023)
Billy & the Boingo Band
d. / p. Shabnam Rezaei, Big Bad Boo Studios, Austria

CEE Animation is financially supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA Program of the European Union, the International Visegrad Fund, and organized in co-operation with Eurimages. It is also co-funded by state funds and foundations and professional organizations from Croatia (Hulahop), Czech Republic (APA, Audiovisual Producers Association), Poland (SPPA, Polish Animation Producers Association), Slovakia (APAF, Slovak Association of Animated Film Producers) and Slovenia (DSAF, Slovene Animated Film Association).

Learn more on the CEE Animation Forum website.