KingstOOn organizers confirmed the winners in several categories during the fourth edition of the Animation Film Festival and Conference, which ended today, and received a record number of entries: more than 4,000 from 100 countries, the most in its history.

Animators from 108 countries submitted nearly 1,500 projects for the “Best International Short Film” category, followed by more than 750 in the “Best International Student Film” category and approximately 300 in the Best International Special Effects Film category. That gave a total of more than 2500 entries, which was also a record for KingstOOn, organized by the Government of Jamaica under the YEDAI project in collaboration with the World Bank.

The objectives of the event are to provide Jamaican and Caribbean animators with ways to continue to learn about the global industry; to create opportunities for producers to generate revenue from their projects; and to showcase diverse content, including film and animation products from around the world. Prizes for this year’s event included licenses for Toon Boom Harmony; Toon Boom Storyboard Pro; TVPaint Animation 11.5 Professional Edition; scholarship opportunities to attend Capilano University’s online summer animation program; and Wacom graphics tablets.

Finalists in the “Concept” category presented their creations to Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon at B2B networking meetings. Winners in the “Best Caribbean Short Film” category also had the opportunity to have their project aired on Television Jamaica and the chance to negotiate broadcast rights with Movistar, the Spanish telco that operates throughout Latin America.

The “Best Concept” winners will have the opportunity to negotiate a development, representation and co-production deal with Africa Animation Network and Baboon Animation Studios. This year’s event included a variety of international speakers from companies such as Disney, Netflix, Sony Animation, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Sesame Street, HiT Entertainment and Lion Forge. The central theme of the event was ‘Diversity in Animation’ with three sessions structured to focus specifically on the issues of diversity and cultural inclusion within media.

KingstOOn 2021 winners were:

Kingstoon Emerging Animated Content Contest.
“Best Storyboard.”
– Mango Man by Andre Rankine – Jamaica (1st place)
– Mental by Chevon Irving – Jamaica (2nd runner up)
– Colors in the Wind by Gabrielle Watts – Jamaica (2nd runner up).

“Best Character Design”.
– Doc the National Bird by Gary Plummer – Jamaica (1st place)
– Row-Row the Throw Pro by Melisa Kerr – Jamaica (1st place)
– Taegan, The Prosthesis Hero by Renee Ross – Jamaica (2nd place)

“Best Caribbean Short Film”.
– TOL by Dylan Attelly, Jérémy Gravinay, Joëllia Rose, Stephen Martingoulet, Matthieu Templet-Nadeau, Anne-Isabelle Zamant and Tiffani Browne – Martinique (1st place).
– The Big Catch by Arminda Bailey – Trinidad and Tobago (2nd place)

“Best Concept” (finalists participated in the Pitch Boot Camp and Pitch Competition)
– Jellyman Adventures by Shaquille Crosse, Kyle- Andrew Lee, Chevardi Gray and Dwayne Pottinger – Jamaica (1st place)
– HOWZATT by Rene Holder and Tracy Hutchings – Trinidad and Tobago (2nd place)

KingstOOn International Animated Film Competition.
“Best International Special Effects Film”.
– The Quiet by Radheya Jegatheva – Australia (1st place)
– The Last Mother by Megan de Jong and Garai Vorm – The Netherlands (2nd place)

“Best International Student Film”.
– The Sugarcane Man by Tina Obo, Leroy Le Roux – South Africa (1st place)
– Feeling Blues By Astrid Massad, Nicolas Lipari, Marion Morgante, Maria-Louiza Bitsou, Guillaume Clamart-Mezeray – France (2nd place)

“Best International Short Film”.
– Biji by Kin Lek Chew – Malaysia (1st place).
– C is for Cars by Warren Brown – Canada (2ndPlace)

“Best International Feature Film”.
– The Fixies vs. Crabots by Vasili Bedoshvili, Ivan Pshonkin and Oleg Uzhinov – Russian Federation (1st Place)
– The Heritage of Sri Sutturu Math by Abdul Kareem – India (2nd place)

The interesting program has been announced by the mayor of Culture, Esther Donate, the mayor, Jaime Albero, and the director of the Festival, Toni Cristobal.

The area of Culture of the City Council of Sant Joan has presented the XXI edition of this event totally consecrated in our province, and also at national level, since it is a qualifier for the Goya Awards. It will be from May 8 to 15 and within the program there will be short film screenings, courses, workshops for children and a concert by the Sociedad Musical la Paz, among other activities. The entire program can be consulted on the Festival’s official website.

The previous edition had to be on line because we were in full confinement due to the declaration of the pandemic. In fact, they were pioneers at national level in presenting a Short Film Festival in this format. But this year, with great effort and ensuring all preventive measures, they have organized it in person.

Sant Joan remains committed to Culture

The mayor has started insisting that “In Sant Joan we are to make culture accessible. We have 21 years recognizing the work and the work of short filmmakers and filmmakers”.

Then, Esther Donate, Councilor for Culture, coinciding with the mayor, said that “although it is a complex year for the sector, here we continue to bet on the Culture, and safely”. Moreover, she explained that although there is relief from restrictions with the upcoming end of the State of Alarm, in Sant Joan will maintain the capacity of cultural facilities at 50%.

“COVID-19 is still here, but the cultural programming must continue”.

Esther Donate

More than 1,000 short films registered

The Sant Joan Film Festival is a benchmark in our province. An event that has been consecrated by the work behind its organization, by the quality of the projects presented and by the wide variety of parallel activities programmed for all audiences.

As pointed out by its director, Toni Cristóbal, since they are Goya qualifiers, each edition “the number of short films that register does not fall below 1,000”. In fact, this year they have broken records with 1,136 short films, of which 28 have been selected to compete for awards in the different categories.

“Original and innovative ideas don’t stop even with a pandemic. Once again it has been shown that the world of cinema is more alive than ever,” Cristobal emphasized.

Galas, merchandising and courses

The mayor of Culture has announced that there will be two galas, as every year. On May 8 will be the inaugural and 15 the closing. She also presented the poster for this year’s edition, designed by Carmen Irie and commemorating the centenary of Luis García Berlanga. To give greater visibility to the Festival they have produced merchandising, such as mugs, T-shirts and cloth bags, which will be distributed at the different sessions. They will also distribute all the publicity and information about the event among local businesses in Sant Joan, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce.

In the opening gala will be screened “A la cara”, the short film by Javier Marco from Alicante, winner of a Goya 2020. And in the closing gala, “Orquesta Los Bengalas”, by the well-known David Valero, also from Alicante. Both are out of competition, but their projection is a way of recognizing the trajectory of filmmakers from Alicante.

A varied program with very interesting courses

Both on the website and on the social networks of the Sant Joan Film Festival you can sign up for the various activities and courses scheduled. Places are limited and prior registration is required from this afternoon, precisely because of preventive measures. There are courses in automatic film make-up, crafts, or making a short film with the cell phone. It is worth mentioning the course of Horror Interpretation, taught by Ángel Gómez, director of the successful film Voces.

As we have said, places are limited, even some will be given by lottery, because they are expected to be filled this afternoon. You can register at www.santjoanentradas.es

Culture needs more investment and support

Investment in Culture is something that professionals in the sector have been demanding for years, and even more so now, with the pandemic. The mayor also wanted to send a clear message to institutions but also to businessmen: “Investing in Culture is investing in the future”. In addition, he pointed out that “the Festival de Sant Joan competes in quality with others that have much more budget and are held in capital cities”. Therefore, greatly appreciates the efforts of the organization of the Festival and the area of Culture to bring it forward each year.

“Sant Joan is a safe cultural destination”.
Jaime Albero, Mayor of Sant Joan