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This was my first visit to Fantoche International Animation Film Festival in Baden, Switzerland, and it definitely won't be my last. I was invited to be part of the International Jury which appoints the Oscar-qualifying short for the edition that year. From the moment you step into the Festival HQ courtyard it's clear that the festival has thought of everything for any visiting audience member to the selected filmmakers. Whilst the festival does screen features and shorts, I was kept busy watching the 31 films in contention for the International Competition. What was wonderful was the breadth of countries that submitted.
Fantoche selected 89 animated short films out of a total of 3050 submissions with films coming from China, USA, France, Kyrgyzstan, India, Japan, UK, Canada... And so many more.
The theme for this year's edition was '9-5' and focused on the theme of work. This was brilliantly introduced when the compere of the opening night led the audience in a joint rendition of the Dolly Parton song, kitted out with jumpsuit and blonde wig on a stage that represented a working office. Interviews were had with members of the festival team as well as representation from the Swiss Government too. With live audio translation (the ceremony was in German) and sign language interpreters, everyone had access.
There's also an industry day that saw regular Artist Breakfasts take place where a selected filmmaker would be interviewed, and the audience provided with free breakfast. Everywhere you turned there was something going on whether it be a screening, a talk, or a networking event. At the Festival HQ there was a bar and kitchen where you could grab some food (all vegetarian and vegan friendly), which, if you were a selected filmmaker, was free with the tokens given to you. One highlight for me was the pop up pool screening that took place right outside our hotel. The thing to remember about Baden is it's known for its thermal springs, so you were invited to sit in the pool and watch films on the pop up screen in the balmy evening. Don't worry, though, for those not wanting to get wet, they do have benches as well right near the bar.
Overall the festival catered for absolutely everyone. There were workshops for young children to introduce them to animation, screenings with Q&As of attending filmmakers, networking events, even live GIF battles with DJs too.
If you're working in animation then I highly recommend looking at this festival. With its truly European vibe, it's not only welcoming, but refreshing. The full scope of animation is covered here and the calibre of judges, as well as selected films, really do respect the craft.
I would be remiss if I didn't shout out the winners of the category that myself and fellow judges awarded. Myself, Nina Gantz, and Christoph Terhechte were unanimous when it came to deliberating the films we saw for competition. For the Special Mention we gave it to Paradaïz – Matea Radic (Canada) which was a touching piece about returning to a war-torn country that held a special place in your childhood. The High Risk Award we gave to Long Live Livia – Zach Dorn (USA) for allowing us to participate in his search for the story of his own family and explores the relationship between documentary truth, fiction, and generated images. And finally, we all collectively were so happy to award Best Film to Qui part à la chasse – Lea Favre (Switzerland). The film captured all of us with its sleight of hand – taking us down the route of an ordinary day, only to deliver us in an unflinchingly dark space with no escape.
And one last final thing to leave you with which I think is a genius idea - they leave the photo space on your pass blank to encourage you to ask someone to do a portrait of you. Not only a great conversation starter but a wonderful keepsake!
