Winners Announced for Fantoche 2024 in Switzerland: “This Is a Story Without a Plan” Takes Best Film
The 23rd edition of the Fantoche International Animation Film Festival, held from September 2-7, 2024, in Baden, Switzerland, showcased the best in global animated cinema. With a diverse selection of films competing in multiple categories, the festival celebrated both emerging talent and established filmmakers from around the world.
The top award in the International Competition for Best Film went to "This Is a Story Without a Plan," directed by Cassie Shao from the United States. The film impressed the jury with its narrative innovation and visual artistry. French productions also made a strong showing, with "HIC SVNT DRACONES" by Justin Fayard winning the High Risk Award, and Arthur Jamain's "Tabac froid" receiving the New Talent Award.
In the visual domain, the German film "Pear Garden," directed by Shadab Shayegan, was a standout, claiming the Best Visual award and the Audience Award for International Competition. The film's rich visual style captivated both the jury and festival-goers alike.
Swiss animation was well-represented at the festival. Samuel Patthey's "Sans voix" took home the Best Swiss Film Award and the Swiss Youth Award, marking it as a significant achievement in local animation. Another Swiss film, "Dieter" by Rolf Broennimann, won the Audience Award in the Swiss Competition. Notably, "La Perra," directed by Carla Melo Gampert, received the High Swiss Risk Award, while also earning a Special Mention from the Swiss Youth Jury.
The festival also celebrated achievements in the Kids Film Competition, where "Bubbles" by Lezhi Xiao from China was named Best Kids Film, and the Young Audience Award went to "THE SWINEHERD" by Danish directors Magnus Igland Møller and Peter Smith.
The Swiss Animation Industry Award (SAIA) recognized "The undesirables?!" by Gianni Maranzano, highlighting Switzerland's thriving animation industry. Several other special mentions were awarded in categories like Motion Design, Craft, and Concept.
Below is a complete list of the winners:
International Competition
- Best Film: "This Is a Story Without a Plan" / Cassie Shao / US 2023
- High Risk: "HIC SVNT DRACONES" / Justin Fayard / FR 2024
- New Talent: "Tabac froid" / Arthur Jamain / FR 2023
- Best Visual: "Pear Garden" / Shadab Shayegan / DE 2024
- Audience Award: "Pear Garden" / Shadab Shayegan / DE 2024
- Special Mention: "Dreams About Putin" / Vlad Fishez, Nastia Korkia / PT/BE/HU 2023
Swiss Film Competition
- Best Swiss Film: "Sans voix" / Samuel Patthey / CH 2024
- High Swiss Risk: "La Perra" / Carla Melo Gampert / CO/CH 2023
- New Swiss Talent: "About a Cow" / Pavla Baštanová / CZ/CH 2023
- Fantastic Swiss: "Matta and Matto" / Bianca Caderas, Kerstin Zemp / CH 2023
- Audience Award: "Dieter" / Rolf Broennimann / CH 2024
- Special Mention Swiss Jury: "On Hold" / Delia Hess / CH 2024
- Swiss Youth Award: "Sans voix" / Samuel Patthey / CH 2024
- Special Mention Youth Jury: "The Car That Came Back From the Sea" / Jadwiga Kowalska / PL/CH 2023
- Special Mention Youth Jury: "La Perra" / Carla Melo Gampert / CO/CH 2023
Kids Film Competition
- Best Kids Film: "Bubbles" / Lezhi Xiao / CN 2023
- Young Audience Award: "THE SWINEHERD" / Magnus Igland Møller, Peter Smith / DK 2023
- Special Mention: "Cave of Warmth" / Shamir Raiapov / KG 2023
Swiss Animation Industry Award (SAIA)
- Swiss Animation Industry Award: "The undesirables?!" / Gianni Maranzano
- Special Mention – Motion Design: "HEC – ACTC" / Lorenzo Monti
- Special Mention – Craft: "Campagne d'information sur le Harcèlement" / Guillaume Mégroz
- Special Mention – Concept: "PETA – Kill the Tradition" / Neil Stubbings
As Fantoche 2024 comes to a close, the festival continues to affirm its place as a leading platform for animation, bringing together both local and international talent to celebrate the art of animated storytelling.