Body Memory - Anim'est proposal for Cartoon D'Or 2012

The sixth edition of the Anim’est International Animation Film Festival officially closed on Saturday evening, October 15 at Patria Cinema. At the end of the Closing Gala, scheduled at 19:00, the Anim'est Trophy, offered by the Romanian Cultural Institute, went to Estonia: Body Memory (d. Ulo Pikkov, Estonia, 2011) is the Anim'est’s proposal for Cartoon d'Or 2012, being the first year the festival submits a proposal for nomination to the most prestigious award dedicated to European short film animation. The prize, awarded by Shane Acker, Guest animator of 2011 Anim'est, and the festival’s director, Mihai Mitrică, was taken by Mait Laas, the filmmaker of Kings Of Time documentary, the project in the Masters of Puppets section. I am happy as a tornado in a parking lot or a mole with eagle eyes! You've made ​​me feel like a tornado, you gave me faith that even a mole can make movies. The Anim'est Trophy is very important, gives me confidence that we have chosen the right path and gives me the opportunity to continue experimenting with animated film. Thank you! Ülo Pikkov said in a message sent to the organizers.

The night’s hero was Sebastian Cosor, director of The Scream, a MediaPro Magic Production, winner of The Best Romanian Film Award, offered by the Romanian Cultural Institute, handed by Cecilia Felméri, Vlad Ivanov and The Balkanimation Competition Award, offered by Canyon. The jury, made from Cecilia Felméri, Marcin Giżycki and Steven Woloshen, appreciated the movie for being a creation that approaches death in an original manner, respectively an animation film that creates a traditional cinematographic expression.

The Ugly Duckling (Russia, 2010),a  music-hall directed by the master of puppet animation from Russia, Garri Bardin, won the Best Feature Film Award provided by AXN, and handed by Marina Stan, Marketing Coordinator AXN, and Anna Solanas, a member of the 2011Anim'est jury. The prize goes to a film, that, in its 76 minutes, makes us share the pain and hope that one day we will be accepted as we are.

David O'Reilly, awarded with the Audience Award at the previous edition of the festival, for One Minute Fly, is the director of the winning film for the Best Short Film, offered by Opel: The External World (Germany, 2010), selected at Sundance, Venice and Berlin, won the prize of 1,000 euros. I was sure when I made ​​the film, that it will never win anything. But you've proven me wrong. Or I am right and the jury is wrong. In any case I am extremely pleased and honored to win at Anim'est, David O'Reilly said to the organizers in an e-mail.

Poland – 2011 Anim'est Guest Country - is present in the 2011 Anim'est record Millhaven (d. Bartek Kulas, 2010), winner of a special Mention for a Short Film.

The Video & Advertising jury members, Tobias Gundorff-Boesen, hypnose and DJ Vasile (Lucian Stan), were protagonists of rather unusual handing moment, choosing to translate their own texts, on stage. The three decided to award, in the Video section, "I Say Fever" by Ramona Falls (d. Stefan Nadelmann, USA, 2010), respectively, in the Advertising section, Vitra – Kuubo clip (d. Adrian Flückiger, Switzerland, 2010 ).

The Award for Best Short Film in the Minimest section, given by the jury made of children Barbu Dragomir, Maria David and Thea Cosma was awarded by the Oscar, BAFTA and Cartoon D'Or nominee: The Gruffallo (d. Jakob Schuh, Max Lang, UK, 2009).

The results of the workshops held by Steven Woloshen and Vasi Alboiu, could be watched on the big screen at Patria Cinema. Accompanied by Fierbințeanu, the animation sequences made by scratches on the film was a unique presence in the Closing Gala program. The stop-motion animations made by the 11 children who participated in the animation film workshop held by Vasi Alboiu amused and stirred the Patria  audience applauses assistance, and the young participants were awarded with Canyon products.

The Audience Award, offered by Sony, consisting of a digital camera Sony NEX - C3K, goes to Pride Flamingo (d. Tomer Eshed, Germany, 2011). Given, traditionally, to a short film in the Mosaic section, the trophy was presented this year on stage by actress Ozana Oancea.

Dan Panaitescu, one of the crew leaders of the animation feature film Crulic – The Path to Beyond, opened the 2011 Anim’est award series with the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to Mrs. Isabela Petraşincu.

Mihail Flămânzeanu is the luckiest spectator from 2011 Anim'est: CEO Vlad Ilicevici drew his voting paper, offering a Crumpler bag and a festival pass for 2012 Anim'est.

The evening ended with the special recital of the Slovenian quartet Vlasov's Best Friend, who accompanied four classic short films signed by the pioneer of puppet animation film, Ladislas Starevich. The niece of the grand filmmaker, who has restored copies of movies, Mrs. L.B. Martin, presented the films and spoke about the joy of their projection in Bucharest.

The Awarded Films at the Anim’est sixth edition will be screened in the last day of the festival, Sunday, October 16, 2011, Patria Cinema, from 18:30 (short films) and 20:30 (feature films).