The ninth edition of the Istanbul Animation Festival took place in the historic Turkish metropolis this week, and the top prize winner this year has been announced as French director Eric Montchaud’s Anatole’s Little Saucepan — a kid-friendly stop-motion short based on the children’s book by Isabelle Carrier.
The 2014 film was previously award Best French-Language Film at the Meknes International Animation Film Festival and made the official selection lists at Annecy, Clermont-Ferrand, Animafest Zagreb and Cartoons on the Bay, among others.
The event also awarded Best Turkish Film to Ethem Onur Bilgic’s Salkim Sogut (Weeping Willow), a retelling of local poet Nazim Hikmet’s epic poem. Best Student Film went to Alexandra Hetmerova’s Mythopolis (Czech Rep.). Best First Film was awarded to Spela Cadez from Slovenia for Boles. The Jury’s Special Prize went to Rino Stefano Tagliafierro’s Beauty. And Best Music Video was awarded to Yasemin Mori – “Isiga Geldi Cocuklar” (Children Came Towards the Light).
