Fredrikstad Animation Festival Award Winners 2024
Skwigly
Maybe Elephants (Dir. Torill Kove, National Film Board of Canada/Mikrofilm)
As Fredrikstad Animation Festival (FAF) draws to a close, excitement fills the air as we prepare to celebrate the outstanding talent showcased throughout the competition. This year’s award winners have pushed the boundaries of creativity, captivating audiences with their innovative storytelling and stunning visuals. From emerging artists to established names in the animation industry, each recipient has left an indelible mark on the festival, and we’re thrilled to honor their remarkable contributions. Here are the winners!
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Short Film:
The Lovers
Director: Carolina Sandvik
Sweden, 2023
This film really dissects contemporary romantic relationships, showing us with
horrible sensuality their outer and inner layers.
The winner of the best Baltic Nordic Short Film goes to The Lovers by Carolina
Sandvik.
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Feature Film:
Flow
Director: Gints Zilbalodis
Latvia, France, Belgium, 2024
Mayfly Vienna is a riotous joy, full stop. A commissioned film that fulfills its brief with such aplomb, charm, and wit, that one is left buzzing. The marriage between animation and live action is brilliantly vibrant.
Best Global Animated Short Film:
Wander to Wonder
Director: Nina Gantz
Netherlands, 2023
This film is simultaneously realistic and completely surreal, taking media nostalgia to almost metaphysical levels. The technical delivery is masterful, giving pickles the screen time they deserve. The winner of the best Global Short Film goes to Wander to Wonder by Nina Gantz.
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Commissioned Film:
Mayfly Vienna
Director: Sam Gainsborough
Norway, England, 2024
Mayfly Vienna is a riotous joy, full stop. A commissioned film that fulfills its brief with such aplomb, charm, and wit, that one is left buzzing. The marriage between animation and live action is brilliantly vibrant.
Special Mention Commissioned Film:
Slomosa – Cabin Fever
Director: Andreas Emil Lund
Norway, 2023
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Student Film:
The Rip
Director: Ditte Lindroth, Anna Furenmo
Sweden, 2023
This film tells about a deep crisis through the eyes of a little girl, guiding us cleverly between the registers of drama and humor. Its visual and narrative style takes us with ease into a child’s universe.
The winner of the best Baltic Nordic Student Short Film goes to The Rip by Ditte Lindroth and Anna Furenmo
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Youth Film:
Maybe Elephants
Director: Torill Kove
Norway, Canada, 2024
The film we liked the most has a deep story. It is sad yet beautiful at the same time. It showcased a different culture, which was exciting. It was enjoyable to watch, with beautiful colors, music, and great animation.
Special Mention Youth Film:
The Rip
Director: Ditte Lindroth, Anna Furenmo
Sweden, 2023
This film was sad but had an important theme. It showed that everyone can have a hard time. It was nice that there was a happy ending. The music was good, and the animation was cool.
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Children’s Film:
Hoofs on skates
Director: Ignas Meilūnas
Lithuania, 2024
The film we liked the most is very funny, with amusing characters that were well made. It has nice patterns and good visuals and sound.
Special Mention Children’s Film:
Vera in Dorni Valley
Director: Noah A. Hall
Sweden, 2024
This film is very good because it shows a lot of emotions, with parts that are sad and difficult, and parts that turn out well. It addresses an important theme. We also liked the drawing.
Audience Award:
Dead Weight
Director: Øyvind Tangseth
Grand Prix:
Freeride in C
Director: Edmunds Jansons
Latvia, 2024
With its powerful rhythm, this film took us on a dynamic ride, giving hommage to the masters of abstract animation with a perfect symbiosis of animation, music and sound and simple, yet effective visuals. The winner of the Grand Prix goes to Freeride in C, by Edmunds Jansons.