Organizers of the 22nd Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) have announced the winners of this year’s edition, which attracted roughly 80,000 visitors to the German metropolis for a week of screenings, sessions and more.
The international competition Grand Prix was awarded to Le sense du toucher (“The Sense of Touch”) by Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo of France, which was produced at Folimage Studio with La Fabrique Prod. and Nadasdy Film.
Malolo’s film centers on Chloe and Louis, who are deaf and mute — and secretly in love. They communicate through a choreography of gestures. One evening, Chloe arrives at Louis’ place for dinner but has brought along two lost kittens, which he is allergic to. Trying to ignore his reactions, compounded by Chloe’s carefree attitude, pushes Louis to his limits and the dinner reveals his darker side.
Film competition winners from 22nd ITFS are:
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
GRAND PRIX
Le sense due toucher (The Sense of Touch) by Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo
France, 2014 – Folimage Studio, La Fabrique Prod., Nadasdy Film
LOTTE REINIGER PROMOTION AWARD
The Bigger Picture by Daisy Jacobs, with animation by Jacobs & Christophe Wilder
U.K., 2013 – National Film and Television School
SWR AUDIENCE AWARD
One of a Kind by Rok Predin
U.K., 2014
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Light Motif by Frederic Bonpapa
France, 2014
Pul de Somn (Baby Nap) by Paul Muresan
Romania, 2014
YOUNG ANIMATION
BEST STUDENT FILM
Cup no naka no koushi (My Milk Cup Cow) by Yantong Zhu
Japan, 2014 – Tokyo University of the Arts
ANIMOVIE
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Resan till Fjaderkungens Rike (Beyond Beyond) by Esben Toft Jacobsen
Sweden / Denmark, 2014 – Copenhagen Bombay
SPECIAL MENTION
Song of the Sea by Tomm Moore
Ireland / Luxemburg / Belgium / France / Denmark, 2014 – Cartoon Saloon et al
TRICKS FOR KIDS
BEST CHILDREN’S SHORT
Neige (Snow) by Antoine Lanciaux & Sophie Roze
France, 2014 – Folimage
BEST CHILDREN’S SERIES
Cleo directed by Ana Sanchez-Gijan
Spain, 2013
TELE 5 LEIDER GEIL AWARD
Light Motif by Frederic Bonpapa