Moving from tales laced with spice, reminiscent of ancient Chinese erotic novels, to barrels full of witty, dry humor and an unusual starring role for a blonde penguin, the Baltic region showcases a diverse range of new projects at Annecy. As noted by Lyza Karoly Jarvis from the Estonian Academy of Arts, the area is teeming with fresh vigor and creativity in the animation industry. In an era where almost anything can be achieved, it seems that the Baltics are embracing this boundless potential wholeheartedly in their artistic endeavors. Historically known for producing intriguing and heartfelt work, the region’s passion for animation is evident now more than ever, as there is a growing fascination with animation and a new crop of filmmakers emerging. The acclaim received by ‘Flow’ serves as a testament to this fervor. Below, we take a peek at what lies ahead.
āAdult Bedtime Storiesā
Estonia
Upcoming at Annecy MIFA pitches for TV series, Kaspar Jancis – renowned for “Piano,” “Cosmonaut,” and “Captain Morten and The Spider Queen” – is set to continue his collaboration with Rebel Frame. The pilot, titled “The Dog,” draws inspiration from a chapter of an ancient Chinese erotic novel, featuring visuals derived from original Chinese paintings and traditional music played by Wu Man. Kadriann Kibus, the producer, guarantees that while the humor, absurdity, obscurity, and wit in the stories may captivate viewers, the show also offers visually appealing elements and educational value. The producer emphasizes that despite the series’ connection to ancient erotic themes, it is not centered around explicit content. Instead, the primary aim is to provide audiences with a time-travel experience by reintroducing old stories, artistic styles, and music. By symbolically approaching the subject matter, there will be minimal need for censorship. The creators hope that this series will offer a fun and aesthetically pleasing viewing experience and are currently seeking a broadcasting or streaming partner.
āCleanlinessā
Latvia
Andrejs BrÄ«vulis’ 2D animated short film, showcased in the Graduation Films competition, derives inspiration from a poem by KÄrlis VÄrdiÅÅ”. As a representative of the Art Academy of Latvia, BrÄ«vulis offers an intricate portrayal of a typical day in an office worker’s life, filled with encounters, showers, message replies, and sexual fantasies about potential suitors. However, he returns home to find someone already waiting for him. The director notes that the work reflects VÄrdiÅÅ”’ signature ironic perspective on societal norms, cultural traditions, humor, eroticism, and human love. BrÄ«vulis further explains that the Baltics have a distinctive filmmaking style, with a wide range of stories and perspectives that differ from traditional Western cinema. The region faces a shortage of skilled animators and financial support from state foundations, making co-production often the only means to create features.
āThe Diffusion Pilotā
EstoniaĀ
Aurelijus Äiupas, a Lithuanian director and audiovisual artist, ponders over some pressing dilemmas in the industry. In his short film essay, he creatively explores the impact of generative AI on video art’s heritage. Within this piece, an animator grapples with the paradoxical effects of AI: a tool that can either amplify or dominate the concept of creativity. Here’s another thought-provoking idea from the Estonian Academy of Arts (as mentioned below).
āLuna Rossaā
Estonia, France
This year, I’ve been fortunate enough to make it to the main short film competition at a festival with my co-director, Olga PƤrn, for our film “Divers in the Rain” which we co-directed in 2010. Our unique blend of classic 2D hand-drawn animation and motion capture technology allows us to delve into themes such as surveillance, love, alienation, and the human desire for connection, presenting them poetically with a touch of absurdity, as described by our producer Kalev Tamm at Eesti Joonisfilm.
Known for my works like “Breakfast on the Grass” and “Night of the Carrots”, I’ve recently received several Lifetime Achievement awards, including one at the European Animation Awards. As the Estonian ambassador to Portugal, Moonika Kase, put it, “Priit PƤrn has established himself throughout his career as one of the most recognized artists in Estonian and world animation” due to my distinctive graphic style, eccentric yet subtle sense of humor, and highly original storytelling.
Emmanuel-Alain Raynal and Pierre Baussaron from Miyu Productions are also part of our team for this project.
āPoppy FlowersāĀ
Estonia
As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but express my admiration for Evridiki Papaiakovou’s heartfelt exploration of complex family dynamics in her short film, “Poppy Flowers”. This poignant narrative about a daughter reconnecting with her mother is one of the many recent masterpieces emerging from the Estonian Academy of Arts. Other notable works include Natalia Mirzoyan’s thought-provoking “Winter in March” and the interactive installation “God Seed”.
Lyza Karoly Jarvis, the project coordinator and distributor, has observed that the academy produces films in a diverse array of techniques and genres, each reflecting the unique artistic voice, identity, philosophies, and worldviews of its students. Some of these works offer humorous insights into human behavior, while others invite deeper introspection. This year alone, we have three 3D films, four puppet films, and seven hand-drawn films.
Jarvis notes that the success of “Poppy Flowers” has sparked a renewed sense of excitement among the students, as they envision reaching audiences they previously thought unattainable. She urges the world to keep an eye on the Baltics, as the future of cinematic artistry appears to be thriving there.
āSaima ā Scenes from a Midlife Crisisā
Estonia, Croatia, France
Making its debut at MIFA pitches for feature films is the first full-length movie by Estonia’s Chintis Lundgren and Croatia’s DraÅ”ko IveziÄ. Previously, they have created “Manivald” and “Toomas Beneath the Valley of the Wild Wolves.” The plot, set within the same universe, follows Saima, a 40-year-old judge, who becomes alarmed when her partner Ludvig starts acting distant during a business trip. A puzzling package containing a wooden frog arrives at her office, and Ludvig confesses to an affair, validating her concerns. Produced by Marianne Ostrat, renowned for the documentary “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood,” this film offers viewers a chance to laugh off the turbulence of dealing with personal distress, existential dilemmas, and the upheaval of midlife change. According to Ostrat, “I hadn’t initially planned to dive into an animated feature next, but fate had other plans: Chintis and DraÅ”ko ā both Sundance alumni ā asked me to be part of their project. I can’t wait to share another captivating cinematic experience with the audience who embraced my previous film so lovingly.
āThelmaās Perfect Birthdayā
Latvia, LuxembourgĀ
Under the direction of Reinis Kalnaellis and showcased in Annecy Presents, this heartwarming feature-length film for children and families is a production of Rija Films and Paul Thiltges Distributions. The story revolves around a young penguin named Thelma with curly blond hair, who lives peacefully in a snowy village. Anticipating her birthday just days away, Thelma wishes to leave her four-year-old status behind ā but things don’t go as planned during the preparations. Despite what appears as a mishap, it transforms into an incredible life-altering adventure. As Kanaellis, the creator of “Singing Hugo and His Incredible Adventures,” explains, this vibrant, magical tale addresses universal themes such as societal expectations, emotional understanding, and self-expression. Kanaellis aims to connect with his audience through both storytelling and structure, using creative constraints to develop a distinctive style. Currently, he is working on future projects that will be characterized by dark humor and absurdity.
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2025-06-10 08:47