As a seasoned film critic with a keen eye for animation and a heart full of empathy, I must say that these upcoming animated films are nothing short of breathtaking. Each project showcases a unique blend of artistic vision, cultural heritage, and emotional depth that promises to captivate audiences worldwide.
At Ventana Sur, the animation works-in-progress selected by the renowned Annecy International Animation Film Festival are now revealed for their 2024 event, happening later this month.
This year’s Montevideo gathering showcases titles hailing from various Latin American countries, boasting co-producers from Europe and North America. Participating nations in this year’s program include Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Canada, France, and the United States.
As stated by the event’s coordinators, this year’s selection showcases a variety of proposals that are distinctive in their storytelling and technical aspects. This diversity underscores the thriving period of development that the regional animation industry is currently experiencing.
Let’s delve into the varied and exciting lineup of upcoming animated films that will be showcased in this year’s Animation! Works-in-Progress (WIPs) by Annecy.
“Heart of Darkness” Rogério Nunes (Brazil, France)
In a contemporary reimagining of a 19th-century novel, this 2D film chronicles the story of Marlon, a police officer tasked with locating Captain Kurtz, a fellow officer who mysteriously vanished under perilous conditions. To track down the rogue officer, Marlon embarks on a hazardous voyage by boat through the risky outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.
According to director Rogério Nunes, who collaborated on the script with Sérgio Nesteriuk and Vini Wolf, this film explores the ethical dilemmas and spiritual hardships of Rio’s fringes, contrasting the renowned elegance of the city against the tough circumstances endured by its residents.
The production of this project is being carried out jointly by Karmatique Imagens and Split Filmes in Brazil, Special Touch in France, and it’s currently in its final phases, with a release set for the first half of 2025. For quite some time now, this highly anticipated Latin American animated feature has been generating buzz and has received backing from various sources including Rio Content Market Lab, Annecy Goes to Cannes, PROAC-SP, Ancine, and Rio Filme.
“The Last Wave” Karen Viajera (Mexico, Canada, U.S.)
Among this year’s contestants, “The Last Wave” presents a unique tale that chronicles the adventures of two teenagers, a seasoned fish, and an avocado, embarking on a surreal road trip along the Mexican coastline in search of fresh beginnings. Accompanied by their families and pursued by a menacing gang, this unlikely group navigates through various extraordinary predicaments during their unusual odyssey toward self-understanding.
Director Karen Viajera expresses that ‘The Last Wave’ is a movie which explores the theme of questioning our choices yet accepting transformation, even when it appears daunting. Her main aim in making this film is to communicate its message to viewers: it’s alright not to always have all the answers.
This lively production, a collaboration among Gasolina Studios (based in Mexico and Canada), Benuca Films (Mexico) and Womo Studio (US), has garnered success at numerous international markets and festivals over the past two years. It secured funding from the Imcine Scriptwriting Fund, Imcine Film Production Fund, and the State of Jalisco Seed Capital Risk Fund for project financing. The release is slated for late 2026.
“Spark Jet & the Mechas” Milton Guerrero (Peru)
At this moment, Red Animation Studios in Peru is working on a 2D feature film, which tells the tale of Spark Jet, a bold and gifted young Beagle with ambitions to join an elite Mecha Racing team. Once he manages to secure a spot in the top league, our protagonist senses a sinister plan to dominate the intelligent machines they employ for racing. He must follow his keen sense of smell to unearth information about the origins of these mechanical creatures and uncover hidden truths about his own family lineage.
According to director Milton Guerrero, this movie is inspired by our shared enthusiasm for Formula One racing and the animal kingdom from our childhood. Our aim is to create a thrilling ‘need-for-speed’ experience for children while also depicting the emotional consequences of mistreatment suffered by our robotic pets, or ‘Mechas’, at the hands of unsavory characters.
In Peru, Red Animation studio has been creating animations recently. They have a history of working on various “Angry Birds” short films and are currently collaborating with the renowned animation company Moonbug on the preschool series titled “Little Angels.
“Mu-Ki-Ra” Estefania Piñeres (Colombia)
The 2D animated feature, which caught attention at Animation Day during the Marché du Film earlier this year, is a collaboration between Colombian producer Letrario and Spain’s Abano Producións. Estefanía Piñeres Duque, the creator, screenwriter, and director who co-wrote with María Barro Guntín, attributes its lively and dynamic visual style to the artistic works of Brecht Evens and the traditional techniques employed by indigenous Emberá and Kuna artists.
According to filmmaker Estefania Piñeres, we’ve put in a lot of effort to discover our unique style, encompassing both visuals and audio. As a collective, we’re dedicated to crafting a visually striking world that effectively communicates the movie’s underlying messages.
In a land plagued by monstrous plants, “Mu-Ki-Ra” unfolds. Here, we meet Cleo, a 13-year-old girl, who encounters a chilling ordeal when her young sibling, Martin, is swallowed whole by one of these terrifying natives. With the aid of an enchanting elder, Cleo embarks on a mission to locate Mukira, the beast responsible for kidnapping her brother, and return him safely home.
“Winnipeg, Seeds of Hope” Beñat Beitia, Elio Quiroga (Spain, Chile, Argentina)
The highly anticipated project called “Winnipeg” has been a buzzworthy topic since 2020 when it was chosen by the Ibero-American Animation League program at Annecy. A collaboration between Spain’s Dibulitoon Studio, Dibulitoon AIE and La Balleta, Chile’s El Otro Film, and Argentina’s Malabar TV is in place to produce this transatlantic film.
Director Elio Quiroga shares with EbMaster that the real tale of Winnipeg is both universally relatable and exceptionally illustrative, brimming with the finest acts of human kindness; thousands of distressed refugees mass at the borders of ancient Europe, a story that carries even greater significance today,” is one possible way to paraphrase the original text. This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler language for easier reading.
Utilizing a blend of 2D and computer-generated imagery, this historical drama narrates the tale of Victor, a bereaved father who departed from Barcelona in 1939 alongside his daughter Julia. Their attempt to traverse the border into France could lead them to concentration camps and adversity. However, there exists an opportunity for their escape aboard the Winnipeg, a ship that has been chartered by the legendary Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and the Quakers in Paris. This vessel aims to transport over 2,000 people to Valparaíso, Chile, where they can start anew and forge a fresh life.
Read More
- W PREDICTION. W cryptocurrency
- Hades Tier List: Fans Weigh In on the Best Characters and Their Unconventional Love Lives
- Smash or Pass: Analyzing the Hades Character Tier List Fun
- PENDLE PREDICTION. PENDLE cryptocurrency
- Why Final Fantasy Fans Crave the Return of Overworlds: A Dive into Nostalgia
- Sim Racing Setup Showcase: Community Reactions and Insights
- Understanding Movement Speed in Valorant: Knife vs. Abilities
- Why Destiny 2 Players Find the Pale Heart Lost Sectors Unenjoyable: A Deep Dive
- How to Handle Smurfs in Valorant: A Guide from the Community
- FutureNet Co-Founder Roman Ziemian Arrested in Montenegro Over $21M Theft
2024-11-12 21:17