May 12, 2022

Stuttgart Wraps Hybrid 2022 Edition; “Bestia” Wins Top Award

The 29th Stuttgart International Animation Film Festival (ITFS) came to a close last weekend after six days.

This year was the first time the festival was held in a hybrid format, with both on-site and online screenings. The previous two editions were all online, but the one held before the pandemic did not have an online component. This year's guests included Stephen Appleby (“Captain Star”), Joanna Quinn (“Affairs of Art”), Thomas Renoldner (“Sunny Afternoon”), Jan-Dirk Boo (“I Love Hooligans”), Mark Shapiro (former Laika Marketing/Brand Lead), and producer Emery Christians (“The Stork's Journey”).

Ulrich Wegenast, Artistic Managing Director of ITFS, stated:

The war between Corona and Ukraine made this year's festival more difficult than ever. So, not only were we able to record a record number of submissions (approximately 2,100 films), but we were also able to offer an intensive program dealing with the compelling issues of our time, and to make it clear once again that animation and games are extremely important media for adults, both socially and artistically, I couldn't be more pleased.

“The greatest success of this year's ITFS was that we were able to hold it again in Schlossplatz and various other locations, fulfilling our cultural mission of communicating the international art of animation and, for the first time since the pandemic, qualitatively revitalizing the city center of Stuttgart.

Below is the complete list of Stuttgart Prize winners and the jury's comments on the reasons for the award.

Grand Prize Bestia” Hugo Covarrubias (Chile)

‘Bestia’ is a complex, multilayered, and infinitely rewatchable portrait of a torturer. A figure that appears again and again throughout human history. It is puzzling, mysterious, and genuinely haunting.

Special Mention #1. Hysteresis, Robert Seidel (Germany)

Seidel's drawings combine with performer Tsuki and a feedback system of machine learning strategies to create a pulsating flow of images in a collapsed spatial composition. to lose contact with the last reference point.

Special Mention 2nd Place Steakhouse, Špela .adež (France, Germany, Slovenia)

A brave and shocking study of passive aggression in human relationships. A quiet but powerful rebellion against the mundane of domestic abuse. The artwork and beautifully observed acting create a stifling atmosphere. But the windows are opened and the smoke gradually clears, leaving us room for hope.

“Immoral” Ekin Coca (France)

The savagery and danger of the collective mind is simply and dramatically portrayed with delightfully dark humor and beautifully observed gestures.

Until the Last Drop (Bis zum letzten Tropfen), Simon Schnellmann (Germany)

Underwater Love, Andrea Falzone, Maria Cristina Fiore, Veronica Martiradonna ( Italy)

The main prize goes to Underwater Love, an authentic, punk, imperfect film about the emotional carousel called life. The raw and dynamic technique perfectly supports the passionate story of becoming a woman. The jury marveled at the shamelessly courageous animation and the filmmakers' openness to take risks and explore.

Special Mention Les larmes de la Seine (The Tears of Seine), Alice Lutailleur, Elliott Benard, Etienne Moulin, Hadrian Pino, Lisa Vicente, Nicolas Mayeur, Philipp Singer, Yannis Belaid (France)

The Special Prize is a clash of ideas and Tears of the Seine (Les Larmes de la Seine), a film about the cruel forces of history that tend to repeat themselves. The film is a poetic story crafted with impressive cinematic and technical excellence.

Winner. Flee, directed by Jonas Pohjer Rasmussen (Denmark, France, Sweden, Norway)

The ITFS Film Festival gave us, the jury, a big challenge. A wide variety of films came before us, each with its own unique and beautiful characteristics. Some depicted the deep humanitarian content and cruel dispossession of families living under the unbearable rule of authoritarian leaders. Some featured colorful journeys where friendships were forged and heroes were born. Some works also mixed these elements.

Special Mention. My Sunny Maad, directed by Michaela Pavlatová (France, Czech Republic, Slovakia)

First, I would like to focus on the position of women in a patriarchal society. In her film, Michaela Pavlatová highlights not only the harsh clash between European and Afghan cultures, but also the warm relationship between the more progressive Kabul family patriarch and his son's young European wife. The little adopted character is powerfully portrayed and placed within the picturesque setting of the film. For us, the boy was the true hero of the film.

Pig, Jorn Leeuwerink (Netherlands)

The film shows the immense audacity of human indiscretion in all its aspects in an entertaining and cheeky way. Weaving together everyday tales of electric blankets, kettles, and smoothie blenders, this short film reveals a system that is paradoxical, exploitative, and selfish. The film strikes at the heart of the matter.

Winner. The Most Boring Granny in the Whole World, Damaris Zielke (Germany)

The animation was very detailed, the perspective of the images was exciting and we felt like we were under the covers. The atmosphere of the audience was great. If you don't have good memories, make them.

Special Mention. Mama Makes It Rain, directed by Hugo de Focomplet (France)

The subject of depression is relevant to many people and we think it is important that films deal with this illness and educate their audiences. The portrayal of depression was very believable to us. This film made that possible in a beautiful way.

Audience Award Giuseppe” Isabelle Fabes (Switzerland)

Winner The Soloists” Celeste Jamnek, Feven Elias Woldehawariat, Mernaz Abdollahina, Razak Ithaca, Yi Liu (France)

FANtastic's jury has never been more united than this year. Produced by an international team and taking into account the global political climate, this year's winning film convinced us above all by its exuberant creativity, which simultaneously references pop culture and returns to the tradition of animated film. To fill such a serious and depressing topic as systematic gender injustice with humor is a special art. That is why we award the FANtastic Award 2022 to Mehrnaz Abdollahinia, Razahk Issaka, Celeste Jamneck, Yi Liu, and Feben Elias Woldehawariat for their work “The Soloists”!

Special Award.

Special Award. Les larmes de la Seine (The Tears of Seine), Alice LeTailleur, Elliott Benard, Etienne Moulin, Hadrian Pino, Lisa Vicente, Nicolas Mayeur, Philipp Singer and Yannis Belaid (France)

We would like to thank the unique Special Mention to the works that have inspired us in unique ways. As you know, democracy is fragile and not enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. The Tears of the Seine clearly demonstrates this. With its coherent overall concept, striking music, sophisticated technique, and compelling metaphors, the film makes visible, without moralizing, the massacre of Algerian immigrants in Paris in 1961.

“Bath,” Shantanu Karkare, Siddhi Vartak (India)

Winner. Minute of Islands, Studio Fizbin

“Minute of Islands” is an independent game with depth in both artistic design and narration. Animation is understated, but intentionally and carefully used within the hand-drawn graphics. It enlivens the 2D graphics and draws attention to objects that are important to the story and gameplay.

Special Mention. Lacuna, DigiTales Interactive

Lacuna not only impresses visually with detailed pixel graphics implemented to technical perfection, but above all with a gripping and fantastic story that captivates the player and motivates them to keep playing. Impress. The dramatic tension created by the irreversible and partially moral decisions that must be made adds to the game's appeal and invites us to get to know the world, the characters, and the plot in general in a variety of ways. Cultural and social topics also appear in the story, giving the game a connection to reality.

Pictured above: “Steak House”, “Bestia”, “To the Last Drop”