CINANIMA Collaborates with Susana Miguel António for Portuguese Shorts Curation at Azerbaijan’s ANIMAFILM Festival
The ANIMAFILM Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, running from October 2 to 6, 2024, has collaborated with Portuguese filmmaker Susana Miguel António to present a specially curated session of Portuguese short films. Supported by CINANIMA, the prominent Portuguese animation festival, this session showcases a selection of animated films that delve into the theme “A Mudança dos Tempos / O Tempo de Mudança,” exploring the passage of time and its impact on both personal decisions and global transformations.
Susana Miguel António, a producer, scriptwriter, and director, is not only curating this session but also serving as a jury member at ANIMAFILM this year. Her selection of films seeks to address profound questions about the nature of change, including “How long does it take before we realize the world has changed?” and “How long before we decide to change the world ourselves?” Through this theme, various filmmakers depict the perception of time and the unease that comes with witnessing its effects, reflecting on how these experiences shape the cinematic works we create.
In addition to curating the films, Susana will also introduce the session and engage the audience in a discussion on making animated films in Portugal, offering her insights into the current state of the industry.
The films included in this curated session are:
- "Tio Tomás, A Contabilidade Dos Dias" (2019) / Regina Pessoa / Portugal / 13′
- "Suspensão" (2020) / Luís Soares / Portugal / 7′
- "O Peculiar Crime do Estranho Sr. Jacinto" (2019) / Bruno Caetano / Portugal / 11′
- "Degelo" (2022) / Susana Miguel António and Filipa Gomes da Costa / Portugal / 12′
- "As Horas" (2023) / Marta Reis Andrade and Marta Sousa Ribeiro / Portugal / 4′
- "A Menina Parada" (2021) / Joana Toste / Portugal / 9′
- "Água Mole" (2024) / Alexandra Ramires and Laura Gonçalves / Portugal / 9′
- "Ice Merchants" (2022) / João Gonzalez / Portugal / 14′
This session offers a rich perspective on contemporary Portuguese animation, highlighting the diversity of approaches in addressing the theme of time and change. Films like "Tio Tomás, A Contabilidade Dos Dias," an award-winning piece by Regina Pessoa, and "Ice Merchants" by João Gonzalez, a recent critical success, stand out for their unique storytelling and visual techniques.
The partnership between ANIMAFILM and CINANIMA underlines a growing cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and Portugal, expanding the reach of Portuguese animation to new audiences in the Caucasus region. Through the lens of this curated session, the festival aims to foster dialogue on how filmmakers from different cultures and backgrounds approach universal themes like time and change.
In addition to her curatorial role, Susana Miguel António will provide valuable commentary on the Portuguese animation scene during the session. Her presence at ANIMAFILM reflects her dedication to promoting Portuguese animation and engaging with international audiences, contributing to the growing recognition of the country's vibrant animation industry.