Saturday night the Golden Gunnar awards for Fredrikstad Animation Festival’s Nordic and Baltic Short Film Competitions 2018 were handed out during the award ceremony held at the Litterature House in Fredrikstad.

 

The winning films were:

Golden Gunnar Grand Prix 2018

NIGHT WALKS by Lizete Upite.

Jury’s comments:

This year’s Grand Prix winner was chosen for its ability to transport us into an atmosphere of mysticism with simple, but carefully crafted visuals, its immersive sound design and its beautifully paced dialogue that made us walk along with the characters. The 2018 Golden Gunnar Grand Prix goes to…

Jury: Christin Berg, David Doutel and Riina Vilén

Nordic-Baltic Short Film Competition

 

QUIET by Marianne Bundgaard Nielsen

 

Jury’s comments:

The winner of this year’s Nordic-Baltic Short Film Competition is a film that is consistent in its approach, giving an unsentimental portrayal of a painful everyday life. Through its animated and original tableaux, this film shows the quiet children who, each in their own way, become the victims of their parents’ struggles. The theme is sadly universal and relevant. This film manages to give these children a voice in a reflected, touching way.

 

Jury: Christin Berg, David Doutel and Riina Vilén

 

Nordic-Baltic Student Film Competition 2018:

 

MUTEUM by Äggie Pak Yee Lee.

 

Jury’s comments:

We have chosen to award a film that inspires with its exuberance. The film is colorful and informal, juxtaposing the seriousness of the art establishment with children’s natural playfulness. The animation is precise, and the line elegant, playful and consistent.

 

Jury: Christin Berg, David Doutel and Riina Vilén

 

Nordic-Baltic Short Film Competition

 

QUIET  by Marianne Bundgaard Nielsen

 

Jury’s comments:

The winner of this year’s Nordic-Baltic Short Film Competition is a film that is consistent in its approach, giving an unsentimental portrayal of a painful everyday life. Through its animated and original tableaux, this film shows the quiet children who, each in their own way, become the victims of their parents’ struggles. The theme is sadly universal and relevant. This film manages to give these children a voice in a reflected, touching way.

 

Jury: Christin Berg, David Doutel and Riina Vilén

Special Mention

 

LITTLE BOY by Kristian Pedersen

 

Jury’s comments:

A very powerful portrayal of a nuclear destruction. Beautiful visuals paired with violent sound makes for an intense viewing experience. By looking back to Hiroshima,1945, the film carries an important message for the future.

 

Jury: Christin Berg, David Doutel and Riina Vilén

 

 

Commissioned films

 

NÅR KNOKLENE BLIR TIL GELÉ by Kristian Pedersen

 

Jury’s comments:

We felt that we were watching talented, instinctive and virtuosic artists, practicing true craftsmanship of animation within the framework of a commission for a client. The director is a discreet genius, overseeing a perfect package of detail, subtlety, pacing and blending of style, that brought it together as an organic whole.

 

While not the first to use lyrics on screen, this was both gloriously retro and genuinely original. The strength of concept, musicality within the animation, and seamless interplay made this.

 

Jury: Nick Simons, Lena Ólafsdóttir, Mats Grorud

 

Children’s film:

 

Special Mention:

 

The Robot and the Whale by Jonas Forsman

 

Jury’s comments:

This film is about emotions, sorrow and joy. It makes you think about the future.

 

Winner:

 

The Downfall of Santa Claus by Robert Depuis

 

Jury’s comments:

This year’s children’s film award winner is really cool. We like how it’s put together. It just captivates you. A really funny Santa.

 

Jury: Alva Sofie Apenes Matri (9), Martin Johannes Øraas (9), Mona-Lisa Lawrence (10), Theodor Langgård Jolansen (11), Angelica Louise Bjercke (11)

 

Audience Award:

Vitello Gets a Yucky Girlfriend by Dorte Bengtson