Anibar announces its 14th edition winners!

7 winning films of the Anibar International Animation Festival.
Anibar International Animation Festival which was held in Peja from the 17th to the 23rd of July 2023, has awarded seven winning films in seven different competitions including: International, Student, Balkan, Human Rights, Feature Film, Animated Music Video and Young Audience.

Find out below for each winner together with the jury statements:

International Winner: “Eeva” by Lucija Mrzljak and Morten Tšinakov

Booze flows. Music plays. Tables are turned. Glasses are smashed. Woodpeckers appear. Fish get drunk. Nervous breakdowns ensue.

Funny, confounding, and heartbreaking, this film is a freewheeling trip through the incomprehensibility, impossibility, and utter absurdity of grief and loss.

Jury: Chris Robinson, Hsiang Chin Moe, Anastasiya Verlinska, Claus Toksvig, Alice Saey

Feature Winner: “Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish” by Lei Lei

Fueled by an inspired and unique mix of archival photos, collage, hand painting and clay, this heartbreaking and occasionally comic story cleverly blurs the lines between private and public, family and nation. The result is a powerful work that tells a story of not just one family, but of many families who have lived under suffocating governments.

Jury: Chris Robinson, Hsiang Chin Moe, Anastasiya Verlinska, Claus Toksvig, Alice Saey

Student Winner: “Above the Clouds” by Vivien Hárshegyi

For its flamboyant extravagance, for its skillfully crafted thrill ride through our loves present and past, for its ability to put butterflies in our bellies and joyfully pull them out through our noses we award the prize for the best student film to Above the Clouds.

Jury: Vessela Dantcheva, Igor Hofbauer, Marek Náprstek

Balkan Winner: “Money and Happiness” by Martina Mestrovic

This film portrays a world that is nearly perfect. We realize we are not there yet, but if we all put in a few extra hours, we can increase our productivity by 5.99% a week and finally live a life void of choice and meaning. For its dark sarcasm wrapped in bright colors we are privileged to award the prize for the best Balkan film to Money and Happiness.

Jury: Vessela Dantcheva, Igor Hofbauer, Marek Náprstek

Human Rights Winner: “Dear Mahsa” by Martin Pflanzer

We are witnessing the most important war for basic human rights in which women are putting their lives in danger by raising their voices against one of the world’s most oppressive regimes.

This film transmits an urgent message, poetically illustrated with a strong visual expression that emphasizes the epistolary manner of the poem.

We hope this award will help spread the message.

Jury: Marko Dješka, Annika Bergström, Zarko Ivanov

Animated Music Video Winner: “Ninulla F” by Flaka Kokolli

This beautiful visual adaptation of a traditional song preserves and enriches the local folklore in a contemporary form.

Jury: Marko Dješka, Annika Bergström, Zarko Ivanov

Young Audience Winner: “Beanboy” by Emily Hanning

An Animation Film that enchanted us with its sweet charm and glowing narrative. After reviewing countless creative animations from talented filmmakers worldwide, the judges have made their decision. The winner is a very special film which beautifully captures relatable emotions and conquers our hearts. Heartfelt congratulations to the whole film team for sharing their artistic brilliance with us. Let’s continue to cherish the magic of animation!

Jury: Sado Music, Deniza Gafurri, Liburn Krrabaj, Diellza Franca, Bleona Ibrahimi