Gianluigi Toccafondo’s “La Voix des Sirènes” Triumphs at Fest Anča 2024
The 17th edition of the Fest Anča International Animation Festival, held in Žilina, Slovakia, has announced its award-winning directors for 2024. The winners were revealed on June 29 at the historic Žilina Town Theatre, with the festival's program continuing until Sunday. This year's international jury praised films that were visually impressive and full of mysticism, engaging audiences with refreshing and sincere storytelling.
Gianluigi Toccafondo's 'La Voix des Sirènes' was awarded the Anča Award for Best Animated Short and emerged as the overall festival winner. The film is a poetic narrative about the power of voice set in a mystical world between sea and land. The international jury, consisting of Waltraud Grausgruber, Gabriel Gabriel Garble, and Daniel Gray, commended the film for its visual and auditory appeal, noting its unique vision of beauty and strength through matriarchy.
Pernille Kjaer received a special mention for her film 'Spring,' which tells a mystical story of awaiting spring in a remote farmhouse. The jury described it as "unconvoluted in its voice and technical execution."
The Anča Award for Best Slovak Animated Short went to Niko Mlynarčík for 'Wereawolf,' a film depicting online harassment and manipulation. The Slovak competition jury, including Nikita Diakur, Élodie Dermange, and Benoît Berthe Siward, praised the film for its heartfelt and unique story. A special mention in this category was given to 'Hello Summer' by Martin Smatana and Veronika Zacharová for its playful celebration of summer holidays.
In the student film category, Zhen Li's 'fur' won the Anča Award for Best Student Animated Short. The film explores the deterioration of a romantic relationship with a microscopic view of the characters' desires. The jury also gave a special mention to 'Pipes' by Kilian Feusi, Jessica Meier, and Sujanth Ravichandran, commending its concise and effective storytelling.
The Anča Award for Best Animated Music Video went to Amanda Bonaiuto's 'D’un Feu Secret,' recognized for its remarkable use of music dynamics and immersive visuals. A special mention was awarded to 'Worm' by Mattis and Yoann Dovier for its rhythmic composition and flawless direction.
The Best Animated Short for Children, decided by a special children's jury, was awarded to Seungbae Jeon's 'Battery Mommy.'
Fest Anča International Animation Festival is the only Slovak multimedia festival focusing on animated films primarily for adults. It aims to present contemporary progressive animations and educate audiences on the art form. Notably, it is the first and only film festival in Slovakia with Academy Awards® qualifying status, allowing winners in specific categories to compete in the Academy Awards® short film category.
The festival is supported by various Slovak cultural funds and the European Union and held under the patronage of the Mayor of Žilina, Mr. Peter Fiabáne.
Winners List:
- Best Animated Short: Gianluigi Toccafondo – La Voix des Sirènes (France, Italy, 2023)
- Best Animated Short – Special Mention: Pernille Kjaer – Spring (Denmark, 2023)
- Best Student Animated Short: Zhen Li – fur (United States, 2022)
- Best Student Animated Short – Special Mention: Kilian Feusi, Jessica Meier, Sujanth Ravichandran – Pipes (Switzerland, 2022)
- Best Slovak Animated Short: Niko Mlynarčík – Wereawolf (Czech Republic, 2023)
- Best Slovak Animated Short – Special Mention: Martin Smatana, Veronika Zacharová – Hello Summer (Slovakia, 2024)
- Best Animated Music Video: Amanda Bonaiuto – D’un Feu Secret (United States, 2023)
- Best Animated Music Video – Special Mention: Mattis Dovier, Yoann Dovier – Worm (France, 2023)
- Best Animated Short for Children: Seungbae Jeon – Battery Mommy (South Korea, 2023)