Mar 26, 2018

GLAS Festival 2018: 'The Burden' sweeps three awards, including $25K FXX prize

There is justice in the world of animation. Criminally overlooked by Academy members and not even nominated for a shortlist in last year's Academy Awards competition, Niki Lindroth von Bahr's "Burden" (Min Börda) won the 2018 edition of the GLAS Animation in Berkeley, Calif. festival, triumphed last night at the festival's Closing Night Ceremonies.

The Swedish short, which has also won top honors at Annecy, Fantoche, and the European Animation Awards, took home three awards at GLAS, including both the Grand Prix and the Audience Award.

Importantly, The Burden also won the FXX Elevation Award. This is an unparalleled $25,000 grant to develop an original animation project with FXX.

Other major winners include Stephen Subotnik's "Strange Fish" in U.S. Competition and Eva Kvijanovic's "Hedgehog's Home" for Best Children's Film. The Best Newcomer Award went to Nikita Diacour's experimental CG short "Ugly," which won the Grand Prix at the Ottawa International Animated Film Festival 2017.

The competition jury for the Grand Prix, Newcomer and High Risk awards consisted of Jonathan Hodgson, Ruth Ringford and Boris Labbé. The U.S. Competition jury consisted of Rekha Buksi, Simon Wilches Castro, and Michael Fry, and the Children's jury consisted of Rachel Sale, Eric Oh, and Sophie Coco Gate.

The full list of winners of the 2018 GLAS Animation Festival is as follows:

Grand Prix The Burden by Niki Lindroth von Bahr

Jury statement: "This film evokes strong and complex emotions. It is at once absurd and profound, humorous and tragic. The extraordinary music and strong cinematography contribute to a work of great power.

New TalentUgly by Nikita Diakur

Jury Comments: "The film's innovative technique injects poetry into the software, combining real-world physics with disturbing puppet-like movements to create a disturbingly fragmented world of beauty and humanity. created a vision.

High Risk Who's the Daddy by Wong Ping

Jury Comments: "This piece made us uncomfortable in an interesting way. The dark humor and engaging design helped us endure the experience.

Special Mention from Jonathan Hodgson "An Afternoon at Clemence" by Lénaïg Le Moigne

Statement from Jonathan Hodgson: "A powerful and atmospheric sense of place, subtle and understated character animation, from the perspective of the victim. for its powerful and accurate portrayal of the dynamics of bullying."

Special Mention from Boris LabbéA Photo of Me by Dennis Tupicoff

Boris Labbé's comment: "The creative use of film as personal memory and collective experience, early photography, young children with their families, A film that plays with three different time periods: film noir.

Ruth Ringford Special Mention Renata Gasiorowska's "Pussy"

Director Ruth Ringford says: "This surprisingly playful film weaves sensuality and humor into the story of a woman whose quest for pleasure is thwarted. As the animator is freed from shame, so is the audience."

The film is a "playful, funny, and funny" film.

Audience AwardThe Burden by Niki Lindroth von Bahr

FXX Elevation AwardThe Burden by Niki Lindroth von Bahr

FXX Statement: Director Niki Lindroth von Bahr's " The Burden is a film that epitomizes excellence in animated storytelling. Niki has created a world with exquisite attention to detail that enhances the dark mood while highlighting unforgettable characters. The musical balances comical lyrics, smart themes, and a clear perspective on the mundane scenes of our lives, and FX is excited to invest in this visionary artist for her next project.

"Strange Fish" by Steven Subotnik, winner of the U.S. Competition

Best Film for ChildrenHedgehog's Home by Eva Cvijanovic

Jury Comments: "For children In animation, we often see clean, shiny depictions of nature. This film does not fit that mold. It boldly tackles challenging themes without compromising on magic or charm."

Special Mention in the Children's Competition Evan DeLucie, "Birdlime"

Jury Comments "I really enjoyed the unexpected storyline that gradually unfolds while capturing the audience's full attention. I liked the sensitive portrayal of friendship and the minimalist approach to defining a sense of place and time. I was also struck by perhaps the most beautiful human hand we have seen on screen."

Sad Black Friday by JonJon2000