Animayo Gran Canaria Awards Top Prizes to ’18 Months’ and ‘Because Today is Saturday’
8 reported
Animayo Gran Canaria, Spain’s foremost animation film festival, awarded its top prizes to family-themed “18 Months” and “Because Today is Saturday” (“Porque hoy es sabado”). Both features will go on to compete at the Oscars, as Animayo is the first and only animation festival in Spain recognized by the Academy as an Oscar-qualifying festival in two categories. The winners are also eligible for the Annie Awards, as Animayo is now part of the first Annie Awards qualifying festival list set up by ASIFA-Hollywood. The festival’s director and founder, Damián Perea, said being included in the Annie Awards list is one of the most important recognitions the festival has received. The winners were selected from more than 2,000 projects from 78 countries, with 915 passing the first selection phase and 75 making the Official Shortlist. The International Jury included professionals from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Skydance Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, Framestore, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, and ASIFA-Hollywood.
What’s reported
Animayo Gran Canaria awarded top prizes to “18 Months” and “Because Today is Saturday.”
Both winners are eligible for the Oscars and the Annie Awards.
“18 Months” won the Grand Jury Prize and a cash prize of $3,480 (€3,000).
“Because Today is Saturday” won the Best Animated Short Film with Ñ award.
More than 2,000 projects from 78 countries were submitted; 915 passed the first phase, and 75 made the Official Shortlist.
France led submissions with 177 works, followed by Spain (102), the U.S. (65), Russia (36), and Mexico (35).
The Audience Award went to “Bestias de la Muerte” by Sandra Powers.
The children’s jury award went to “There Once Was a Tiger.”
Key figures
Damián Perea, director and founder of Animayo
Paulo García, director of “18 Months”
Natalia Gouvea, director of “18 Months”
Alice Eça Guimarães, director of “Because Today is Saturday”
Sandra Powers, director of “Bestias de la Muerte”
Sources: Variety
