Summarize this content in well-structured paragraphs in German language and keep HTML tags The 31st Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) wrapped up another successful edition Sunday evening with the awards ceremony. For six days, the festival welcomed filmmakers, industry visitors and animation fans from around the world to venues around Stuttgart, presenting its habitual range of animated and immersive projects to packed audiences, as well innovations such as the new Festival Centre.
The new festival management duo Annegret Richter and Heike Mozer had proclaimed a festival of short distances, which was well received by visitors: Stuttgart’s city center was transformed into a creative meeting place for the international animation scene from April 23 to 28, with the festival cinemas, the free open-air events, the GameZone and the Festival Centre within walking distance.
Over 500 industry guests attended ITFS 2024 (an increase of 25% compared to previous years), 40% of whom travelled from abroad. The Festival Centre was the central meeting point for these pros, attracting over 250 visitors each day. “We wanted to create space for encounters at the festival, and we are delighted that our ideas met with such a positive response,” said Heike Mozer, Managing Director of Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH.
Cinema attendance also increased significantly. The screenings of the International Competition in particular were filled to capacity. Other film programs, like the world premiere of the series Fritzi und Sophie – Grenzenlose Freundschaft, also saw excellent attendance. “The festival had a very special atmosphere. Even the late-night film programs were fully booked, and new offerings like a live-drawing challenge were a huge hit. We couldn’t be happier,” said Annegret Richter, Artistic Director of Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH.
ITFS 2024 [ph: Max Kullmann]A total of 138 short and feature-length films were screened in five competitions and discussed by the international juries. Cinema audiences could also vote and award prizes. The winning films were announced Gloria Cinema on Sunday night, as well as the winner of the Animated Games Award Germany. The winning films of the Children’s Competition, Tricks for Kids, were announced on Sunday afternoon on the open-air stage and then screened for free on the big screen. The German Animation Screenplay Awards, the Trickstar Business Award and the ASIFA Prize had already been presented on Thursday, April 25 as part of the AniX Awards.
Sunday’s awards ceremony marked the end of Stuttgart’s inaugural Animation Week, jointly celebrated with ITFS’s partner events FMX – Film & Media Exchange (April 23-26) and Animation Production Days (April 23-25).
ITFS Award Winners
It’s Just a Whole
STUDENT COMPETITIONAward for the best student film with a cash prize of 2,500 euro, sponsored by LFK Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg and MFG Film Funding Baden-Württemberg
It’s Just a WholeBianca Scali (Germany)
Special Mention: Oliver the Giant (Oliver, az óriás)Júlia Lantos (Hungary)
On the 8th Day
TRICKSTAR NATURE AWARDAward for the best international animated short film that deals with the topics of climate protection, biodiversity, environment and sustainability, with a cash prize of 7,500 euro, sponsored by Verband Region Stuttgart
On the 8th Day (Au 8ème Jour)Agathe Sénéchal, Alicia Massez, Elise Debruyne, Flavie Carin, Théo Duhautois (France)
Special Mention: About a Cow (O krávě)Pavla Baštanová (Czechia/Switzerland)
Closer the Distance
ANIMATED GAMES AWARD GERMANYAward for the best animation based German computer game with a cash prize of 5,000 euro, sponsored by MFG Creative Baden-Württemberg
Closer the DistanceStudio: Osmotic Studios GmbHPublisher: Skybound GamesGenre: Narrative Life-Simulation
Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds
ANIMOVIEAward for the best animated feature film
Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds (Sirocco et le Royaume des Courants d’Air)Benoît Chieux (France/Belgium)
Special Mention: Lonely Castle in the Mirror (Kagami no kojō)Keiichi Hara (Japan)
Dodo
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award for Animated Film: Award for the best graduation film with a cash prize of 10,000 euro, sponsored by MFG Film Funding Baden-Württemberg
DodoYi Luo (Germany)
Special Mention: RecordariCarolina Cruz (Germany)
Mee and Burd
The ITFS Audience Award with a cash prize of 6,000 euro, sponsored by SWR (regional broadcasting for southwest Germany)
Mee and BurdGreg Mcleod (United Kingdom)
27
Grand Prix: State of Baden-Württemberg and the City of Stuttgart Grand Award for Animated Film with a cash prize of 10,000 Euro
27Flóra Anna Buda (France/Hungary)
Special Mention: Mariupol. A Hundred NightsSofiia Melnyk (Ukraine)
#doudouchallenge
TRICKS FOR KIDSAward for the best children’s animated film with a cash prize of 4,000 euro, sponsored by Studio 100 Media
#doudouchallengeAlexandra Delaunay-Fernandez, Julie Majcher, Marine Benabdallah-Crolais, Noémie Segalowicz, Scott Pardaillhe-Galabrun, Sixtine Emerat (France)
Special Mention: The Story of Bodri (Historien Om Bodri)Stina Wirsén (Sweden)
The Mystery of Missing Socks
Tricks for Kids Audience Award: Award for the audience’s favorite of the ITFS Children’s Film Festival with a cash prize of 1,500 euro, sponsored by L-Bank
The Mystery of Missing Socks (Kadunud Sokid)Oscar Lehemaa (Estonia)
Michaela Pavlátová [ph: Reiner Pfisterer]ASIFA PRIZESince 1985 ASIFA has awarded a prize for the outstanding achievements in the art of animation. The ASIFA Prize is awarded annually to individual(s) or organization(s) which have made a significant and innovative contribution towards the promotion and preservation of the art of animation.
This year the internationally recognized prize is awarded to the Czech filmmaker Michaela Pavlátová.
[ph: Reiner Pfisterer]GERMAN ANIMATION SCREENPLAY AWARDAward for the best German screenplay for an animated feature film with a cash prize of 2,500 euro, sponsored by Animation Media Cluster Region Stuttgart (AMCRS)
Das NEINhornWriters: Marc-Uwe Kling, Marcus SauermannProducer: Nicole KellerhalsProduction: X Filme Creative Pool
Special Mention: Die Olchies – Dino-Alarm!Writer: Toby GenkelProducer: Sunna IsenbergProduction: gretels gold GmbH
‘Out of Frame’ team [ph: Reiner Pfisterer]Award for the German screenplay with the biggest international market potential with a cash prize of 1,500 Euro, sponsored by Pink Parrot Media
Out of FrameWriters: Keiron Self, Giles NewProducers: Emely Christians, Sonja MatthesProduction: Ulysses Film Production
TRICKSTAR BUSINESS AWARDAward for the best innovative and groundbreaking business model in the field of animation with a cash prize of 7,500 Euro, sponsored by Verband Region Stuttgart
Black GoblinAna Betancourt (CEO), United Kingdom
Special Mention: ZeuniksDavid Aguirre Hoffmann (Art Director & Illustrator), Germany
Learn more about the festival at itfs.de.
[ph: Reiner Pfisterer]
