Imaginaria 2017

As part of our effort to preserve projects from film festivals that would otherwise be lost, we have curated the list of winners from the 2017 Imaginaria Film Festival below. These films have provided entertainment for thousands, and these creative films help to inspire our work for our animated videos and explainer video production projects. The Imaginaria Film Festival continues to be held and the festival’s new website can be found at www.imaginaria.eu.

Below is more information about the award-winning entries from the 2017 Imaginaria Festival.

Best Animated Feature Film – Winner

Louise en hiver

Directed by Jean-François Laguionie and produced by JPL Films

Louise en hiver is a 2016 French animated drama film directed by Jean-François Laguionie and featuring Dominique Frot as the lead character, Louise. The story revolves around an elderly woman named Louise, who spends the winter in a desolate French seaside town, isolated and alone. She only has her memories and vivid imagination to keep her company.

The film explores Louise’s inner world and emotional journey as she reflects on her life and the experiences that shaped her. Throughout the film, the audience is taken on a poignant and reflective journey as they delve into Louise’s thoughts, dreams, and nostalgia.

The cast includes Diane Dassigny, who portrays a young Louise in flashback sequences, while Dominique Frot takes on the role of old Louise in the present. Other characters include Antony Hickling as Tom, the parachutist, and Jean-François Laguionie himself as Pépère.

“Louise by the Shore” had its premiere on 15 June 2016, competing at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. The film received praise for its hand-drawn animation style and emotionally resonant storytelling.  Critics noted that “Louise by the Shore” offered a more dark and probing character study, making it appealing for viewers seeking depth and substance in animated films.

Overall, “Louise by the Shore” is a touching and heartfelt exploration of loneliness, memory, and the power of the human imagination. It stands out as an animated film that goes beyond traditional action-packed narratives, offering a more contemplative and thought-provoking experience for its audience.

Best Animated Short Film – Winner

Nighthawk

Spela Čadez

The film “Nighthawk” is an Eastern European animated short with elements of adventure and dark humour. The story begins with a badger found lying motionless on a local road, mistaken for dead by a police patrol. To their surprise, they discover that the badger is not dead but heavily intoxicated from consuming fermented fruit. As they attempt to remove the creature from the road, it wakes up and steals their police car, leading to a bizarre and surreal journey.

The animation in “Nighthawk” is technically well-executed, but deliberately employs an ugly and crude style with blurry images, adding to its unique visual appeal. The badger’s intoxicated state is portrayed through his consumption of more pears and erratic behaviour, including engaging in imaginary conversations. The film offers a minimalist approach, focusing on the badger’s gradual descent into confusion and disarray due to excessive alcohol consumption.

The narrative draws inspiration from a real news story about drunk badgers, and the filmmakers also drew from personal experiences with alcoholism. The film subtly critiques society’s dismissive treatment of alcoholics while portraying the bleak consequences of excessive drinking. It marks a turning point for the director, Nina Cadez, who embraces a darker and satirical edge in her storytelling.

“Nighthawk” garnered positive responses from audiences and received several awards, including the Grand Prix at Animafest Zagreb and Best Animated Short Film at the Imaginaria Film Festival. The film’s distinctive visuals were achieved using a multiplane camera, a traditional animation technique that adds depth and a disjointed feel to the imagery. The film’s success has inspired the director to continue exploring this unique medium in her future projects.

Overall, “Nighthawk” is a visually intriguing and thought-provoking animated short that delves into the consequences of alcohol abuse and society’s response to those struggling with addiction. It offers a distinct and artistic portrayal of a badger’s nightmarish journey into drunkenness and confusion.

Best Animated Short Film (Student Category) – Winner

Shuma

Lucija Mrzljak

The short film is set in a flooded landscape, where a woman finds herself living in a sunken house. During her journey through this surreal environment, she encounters a tree with a face, and they form an unusual friendship. The woman cares for the tree and even knits it a hat to keep it warm. However, despite her efforts, the rain continues to fall and the floodwaters keep rising.

The film, produced by Lucija Mrzljak at the Estonian Academy of Arts, is a beautiful and complex work that appeals to viewers aged 12-15 years. It delves into themes of sustainable development and climate change, offering an ambiguous portrayal of the relationship between humans and water in Europe, particularly considering the impact of global warming. The film’s artistic approach allows it to convey the realities of climate change without delivering a straightforward, explicit message.

Overall, this unique and thought-provoking film explores the connections between humans and nature amidst a changing climate, using imaginative storytelling and captivating visuals to address the pressing issues of sustainable development and climate change.

Best Animated Short Film For Kids- Winner

Deserted

Anna Anakhasyan

“Deserted” is a heartwarming 3D animated short film by Anna Anakhasyan that follows the story of a lonely and emotional cactus on a quest to find true love. The cactus character yearns for companionship and embarks on an emotional journey to find someone who truly understands and loves it.

The film showcases the cactus’s adventures and struggles in a charming and visually appealing 3D animation style. It explores themes of loneliness, longing, and the universal desire for connection.

The music for “Deserted” is composed by Jerome Leroy, adding depth and emotion to the storytelling. Additionally, the sound design, handled by Garrett Schultz, enhances the overall viewing experience.