The European Film Academy has nominated five animated movies for its prestigious Best European Film award. This marks the first time an animated film will be able to win the grand prize.
The nominees showcase a variety of animation techniques and stories. “Flow” from Latvia uses computer graphics to tell an eco-fable with no dialogue. It follows animals teaming up after a flood. “Living Large” from the Czech Republic focuses on a boy dealing with his weight through cooking. Claymation brings the characters to life.
A Swiss film, “Savages,” also uses claymation. It depicts deforestation and an orphaned baby orangutan in Borneo. “Sultana’s Dream” from Spain follows an artist’s search for a female utopia. The hand-drawn style matches the exploration of women’s empowerment themes.
The fifth nominee is “They Shot the Piano Player.” A collaboration between Spanish and American filmmakers, it depicts a famous 1960s and 70s Brazilian musician who later vanished. Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum voices a role.
Some nominees have already found acclaim. “Flow” and “Sultana’s Dream” won awards at the prominent Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
This inclusion of animated films for Best European Film recognizes the genre’s storytelling abilities. It gives these unique films a chance to compete with live-action for the top honor.
Past winners like “Robot Dreams” have then received global attention, like an Oscar nomination. Animation fans and industry insiders eagerly await the full November 5th nominations announcement. The December 7th ceremony will unveil category champions in Lucerne, Switzerland.
As animation evolves creatively, these nominations show the European Film Academy’s commitment to all forms of cinema.
