The Anifilm International Festival of Animated Films which took place in Liberec, Czech Republic, from 7 to 12 May, wrapped on Saturday night with an award ceremony held at the city's Technical University.

In the International Competition of Feature Films, which traditionally has two categories – for Grown-ups and for Children – the French-Italian co-production Chicken for Linda [+lee también:
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“The film managed to surprise and amaze as well as entertain all members of the jury. Its script was exceptional, with brilliant twists, sharply drawn characters and laugh-out-loud humour. The design was original and effective. The performances of the cast were first class, with infectious energy and humour. To draw it all together there was a very relevant and modern premise for our urbanised consumerist world at its heart: our alienation from the food we eat. The problems faced by the characters in working out how to kill a chicken meant the film managed to be thought-provoking and philosophical as well as being wildly entertaining and impressive from a film-making perspective.”

In the International Competition of Short Films, the already widely acknowledged Polish title Zima by Tomek Popakul and Kasumi Ozeki took the top prize, while The Eastern Rain by Milly Yencken from the Estonian Academy of Arts scooped Best Student Film.

French filmmaker Lorans Côme won in the International Competition of Abstract and Non-Narrative Animation with Crypto(zoïque), and South Korea’s Jin Woo picked up the Best Music Video prize for Illusion by Hilgeum.

Marion Bulger and Ilan Cohen’s Emperor (France/Germany) came out on top in the International Competition for VR films, “for its careful balance of teaching by interaction and compelling storyline,” according to the jury.

Finally, in the International Competition for Computer Games, Dordogne by Un Je Ne Sais Quoi and Umanimation was awarded Best Visual Art, leaving the jury – and hopefully its players – in awe of its unique watercolour visuals. In addition, the simple yet charming narrative-based game Storyteller by Argentina’s Daniel Benmergui secured the title of Best Game for Children.

At the beginning of the award ceremony, a standing ovation expressing solidarity greeted the speech given by the executive director of Biennial of Animation Bratislava, Lucia Dubravay Trautenberger, which drew attention to the recent and highly unmotivated dismissal of several programmers of the Biennial Team by freshly elected Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic, Martina Šimkovičová.

Earlier in the week, during the opening night of the festival, the awards in Czech Horizon section, decided on by the Council of Animated Films (RAF) were announced, with Filip Pošivač's Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light [+lee también:
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Here is the full list of Anifilm awards:

International Competition for Feature Films

Best Feature Film (for Grown-ups and Children)
Chicken for Linda [+lee también:
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International Competition for Short Films

Best Short Film
Zima - Tomek Popakul, Kasumi Ozeki (Poland)

Special Mention
Wander to Wonder – Nina Gantz (Netherlands/Belgium/France)

International Competition of Student Films

Best Student Film
The Eastern Rain – Milly Yencken (Estonia, short film)

Special Mention
Children of the Bird - Júlia Tudisco (Hungary, short film)

International Competition of Abstract and Non-narrative Animation

Best Abstract and Non-narrative Animation
Crypto(zoïque) - Lorans Côme (France, short film)

Special Jury Mention
Right in the Eyes of the Mirror – Mélusine Peduzzi (France, short film)

International Competition of Music Videos

Best Music Video
Hilheum: Illusion – Jin Woo (South Korea)

Special Jury Mention
Vonfelt: Je pars – Michelle Brand (Germany/France)

International Competition of VR Films

Best VR Film
Emperor - Marion Bulger, Ilan Cohen (France/Germany, short film)

International Competition of Computer Games

Best Visual Art
Dordogne - Un Je Ne Sais Quoi, Umanimation (France)

Best Game for Children
Storyteller - Daniel Benmergui (Argentina)

Audience Award
I Will Die in This House - Adriana Bendžalová (Czech Republic)

National Competition Czech Horizon

Best Czech Creation
Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light [+lee también:
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Best Czech Short and Feature Film
Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light - Filip Pošivač

Best Czech Student Film
Electra – Daria Kascheeva (Czech Republic, short film)

Best Czech Series
Veggierado - Jan Bubeníček (Czech Republic)

Best Czech Music Video
President Lourajder: Lunapark - Matej Mihályi (Czech Republic)

Best Czech Commissioned Work
The Rapid Arrows Celebrates 85 Years – Marek Berger (Czech Republic)