17th International Animaevka-2014 Festival of Animated Films Grand Prix goes to Kazakhstan’s 3D graphic animation Timur and the Dragon, by Kazakh directors Ramil Usmanov and Yulia Tkhai
The amusing story about a boy wishing to become a hero by defeating a fearful dragon won the hearts of the jury, beating 85 works from 28 countries. Honoured Figure of Arts of Russia and Chairman of the Animaevka-2014 jury, Leonid Nosyrev, emphasises, “This animation meets every criteria, being easily-watchable and funny, with great dramaturgy and voices, as well as wonderful characters.”The symbol of the forum, a big crystal pencil in the ‘Best Children’s Movie’ nomination, was awarded to Belarusian animators Natalia Khatkevich (Darvin), Dmitry Shestopalov, Yelena Borushko, Yelena Sulza, Dmitry Savchenko, Marina Karpova, Anna Yemelyanova, Olga Rybina and Svetlana Kotlyarova for the children’s series entitled For the Smallest.
Russian Vadim Oborvalov’s White-Blue Silence was picked as the ‘Best Experimental Film’. The Master’s Award went to Belarusfilm Studio animator Igor Volchek for his romantic story about a rural dreamer: Rondo Capriccioso. Crystal pencils were also awarded to Italian Noise of the World work in the ‘Best Embodiment of an Idea’ nomination, while Spain’s Souls of Opposition Soldiers claimed ‘Best Artistic Solution’ award.
Diplomas and small crystal pencils were presented to children’s studios within the I’m not a Magician yet, I’m Just Learning…contest. In this category, The Story of a Droplet, by Yaroslavl-based Perspektiva Animation Creativity Centre, took joint first prize with Hallucination Hypnotic from Belgium.
Prizes in the children’s paintings and decorative-and-applied works, under the theme of My Favourite Animated Film, were won by Alexandra Kukhtina (Bykhov) for Antoshka, by Yekaterina Tarkan (Bobruisk) for House of Magic, by Yulia Semenova (Bykhov) for Unexpected Guest, and by Kirill Sazonenko (Mogilev) for King’s Castle, from the Musicians of Bremen.
During the solemn closing of the festival, jury members, as well as guests and participants, noted the high level of organisation of the holiday and the special atmosphere of benevolence and warmth.
This year, Animaevka-2014 featured 159 films from 39 countries, including Belarus, Russia, Austria, Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, the UK, Germany, Georgia, Denmark, and India. Taking part for the first time were Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, Iraq, Columbia, Singapore, Syria, the USA, Croatia, Sweden, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.
The festival took place from September 17th-21st, featuring seminars with animators, theatrical performances, concerts, and exhibitions at the regional centre and across the whole Mogilev Region. Leonid Yakubovich, host of the well-known Russian TV show Pole Chudes (Field of Wonders), attended the event as a guest of honour. For the first time, the forum hosted an exhibition of works by the jury and guests of the festival.
