Fantoche: Power Dynamics

22. Fantoche International Animation Film Festival, 3. – 8. 9. 2024
Baden, Switzerland

Friday, 27. 9. 2023 at 9.00 / Vetrinj mansion, big hall

Programme curated and presented by Ivana Kvesić (Fantoche Festival Director)

 

  • Fantoche is Switzerland’s biggest and most prestigious cultural event devoted exclusively to animation in all its many facets, in terms of the technology, content and media.  

    Fantoche is both a festival for the general public and a meeting place for the film and creative industries in equal measure. It comprises an international and a national short film competition, a carefully chosen selection of animated feature films, its own programme slots for innovative computer games, themes with in-depth insights into the medium of animation and games and as well as a diverse offering of lectures, panel discussions, presentations and exhibitions.

    The curated program “Power Dynamics” presents a collection of ten short films from Switzerland and abroad. These films offer compelling narratives exploring various forms of power dynamics, from patriarchal structures to the intricate interplay between animals and humans, and the shifting sands of social status. Through these narratives, we invite viewers to cultivate empathy, to recognize the complexities of power dynamics, and to contemplate ways to transcend the impulse to assert power over others. We envision a world where empathic gestures of care and love hold greater significance, where understanding and compassion pave the path towards a better future for humanity.

    Join us at the screening as we embark on a journey through the captivating world of animation, where storytelling transcends boundaries, ignites imaginations, and inspires meaningful change.

  • Ivana Kvesić is the director of Fantoche – International Animation Film Festival in Baden, Switzerland.  Former Co-Director of the youth film festival Schweizer Jugendfilmtage, she's known for nurturing emerging talent. Ivana's discerning eye is showcased in her roles on the selection committees of Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur and Rote Fabrik Zurich. Beyond her directorial roles, Ivana presides over the Xenix cinema club, is a member of the Swiss Film Academy, and contributes to the foundation council of Filmbulletin (film magazine Switzerland). Ivana is committed to diversity and inclusion, having been a co-opted member of SWAN (Swiss Women’s Audiovisual Network) for several years. Ivana is established as a festival director, curator, artist, and cultural project manager.

 
 
 

01.
A Beautiful Summer Night / Une belle nuit d'été
Arthur Dupuy, Enzo Leboucher, Sam Castelli, Aleksandar Savic, Yannis Brunn, Barbara Derail (École des Nouvelles Images)
2022, France, 7'18''

A group of animals decide to avenge the death of one of their own one beautiful summer night.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Techniques: 2D computer, 3D
    Language: n/a

    Team:
    Animation: Yannis BRUN, Arthur DUPUY, Aleksandar SAVIC // Script: Yannis BRUN // Image: Barbara DERAIL , Sam CASTELLI, Enzo LEBOUCHER // Special effects: Sam CASTELLI // Film editor: Yannis BRUN // Rendering: Enzo LEBOUCHER // Sound editor: Yannis BRUN, Sam CASTELLI // Soundtrack: Roman PERRETON

    About the directors:

    Yannis BRUN: I have practiced 3D since I was 12 years old and I have always been passionate about cinema, that's why I joined École des Nouvelles Images. 

    Enzo LEBOUCHER: I partly grew up in the countryside, since then I like to observe and draw the little things in life. I immediately wanted to experiment with 3D and professionalize myself in this field.

    Barbara DERAIL: I have a strong interest in children’s illustration and the macabre and ambiguous universe in which it can evolve. It’s through the use of CGI as an artistic medium that made me want to professionalize myself in it.

    Sam CASTELLI: I always worked on several supports (drawing, painting, sewing…). It’s in an art class that I discovered CGI. 

    Arthur DUPUY: Fascinated by the expression of movement and anatomy since my childhood, it is by searching for new ways of experimentation that I discovered the world of 3D.

    Aleksandar SAVIC: I like understanding how things work and I am passionate about studying the living. I think I found the perfect balance between science and art in the way I perform 3d.

02.

Kids
Michael Frei (Playables)
2019, Switzerland, 9'

How do we define ourselves when we are all equal? Who is steering the crowd? What if it is heading in the wrong direction? KIDS is also available as a game/interactive animation.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Techniques: 2D hand-drawn, 3D
    Language: N/a

    KIDS was made using traditional 2D hand-drawn line animation in black and white. The animation was assembled, composited and choreographed using a game engine with a custom-made animation system in conjunction with physics simulations.

    Team:
    Screenplay: Michael Frei, Mario von Rickenbach // Sound: Masumi Takino // Music: Olav Lervik, Riga Cathedral Boys Choir // Animation: Michael Frei, Martine Ulmer, Anaïs Voirol // Code: Mario von Rickenbach, Raphaël Munoz

    About the director:
    Michael Frei (1987), born in Appenzell, is a Swiss filmmaker and game designer. He studied animation at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn. His projects Plug & Play (2015) and Kids (2019) were popular as films at festivals and as games on YouTube. He co-founded Playables, a production company for peculiar projects based in Zurich. Filmography: 2024 Long Distance, 2019 Kids, 2013 Plug & Play, 2012 Not About Us. 

    Read more: https://michaelfrei.io/ , https://playkids.ch/ 

03.

03.

Little Miss Fate
Joder von Rotz (YK Animation Studio)
2020, Switzerland, 8'14''

Little Miss Fate lives in a world driven by fate. When the opportunity arises, she slips into the role of the world leader. Unintentionally she creates a monster, which greedily wants to suck up all the love of the world.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Techniques: 2D computer, drawn animation
    Language: N/a

    Team:
    Cinematography: Aira Joana, Lukas Pulver, Joder von Rotz, Lorenz Wunderle // Script: Joder von Rotz // Animated by Fela Bellotto, Aira Joana, Martine Ulmer, Lorenz Wunderle, Kerstin Zemp, Lukas Pulver, Joder von Rotz // Music: Philipp Schlotter // Sound: Etienne Kompis, Thomas Gassmann // production: Lukas Pulver, Fela Bellotto (YK Animation Studio)

    About the director:
    Born in 1987 in Kerns, Switzerland. 2003-07 Apprenticeship as draughtsman. 2009-12 Attends the HSLU (Hochschule Luzern, Design & Kunst), animation department. 2012 BA in Animation from HSLU.

    Read more: https://yk-animation.ch/ 

04.

Louis I. King of the Sheep / Louis I, roi de moutons
Markus Wulf (Hübner/Wallenfels, autumn song production, Irrelevant Media)
2022, Germany, 8'20''

A strong wind blows a paper crown over the pasture. Sheep Louis places it on his head. And accordingly becomes Louis I, King of the Sheep. 

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Technique: Puppet film
    Language: English

    Team:
    Director: Markus Wulf // Screenwriters: Markus Wulf, Maggie Briggs // Original Story: Olivier Tallec // Cast: Isabella Rossellini, Mark Waschke // Producers: Maggie Briggs, Jorge Granados Ross, Su-Jin Song, Levin Hübner // Cinematographer: Taylor Stanton // Animators: Emily Ann Hoffman, Victoria Arslani // Puppets: Beatrice Bader, Arne Wachtmann // Editor: Esteban Garcia Vernaza // Sound Designer: Holger Buff // Original Score: Amir Mortezai

    About the director:
    Markus Wulf was born in Oldenburg Germany. Over the past ten years, he's worked consistently as a writer and director in film, theatre, opera and puppetry. His short films have won awards at national and international film festivals.  In 2014, he was nominated for the German National Short Film Award with his piece A Fairytale with a Completely Imagined Ending.  His work often questions ideologies and the representations of power with humor. He studied directing for fiction and nonfiction film at the International Film School in Cologne.  In 2020, he finished the MFA program at the School of the Arts at Columbia University in New York City, with scholarships from the German National Academic Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

05.

Tiger and Ox
Seung-hee Kim
2019, South Korea, 8'18''

What does divorce mean to women in Korean patriarchal society? Is a fatherless family a failure? In order to find the answer to these questions, a single mother and her daughter start a conversation.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Technique: 2D
    Language: English, Korean

    Team:
    Director, PD, Animation: Seunghee Kim // Mother (voice): Yeonsuk Kim // Daughter (voice): Seunghee Kim

    About the director:
    born 1985. Seunghee Kim has pursued her career as an animation filmmaker since 2014. Her Seunghee Kim is a dedicated animation filmmaker focused on dismantling stereotypes of Asian women. Her shorts, "Mirror in Mind" and "SimSim", have been featured at international festivals. In 2018, she was an artist-in-residence at Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, supported by the Samsung Cultural Foundation. Her latest work, "Tiger and Ox," won the Grand Jury Prize at AFI Fest 2020 and was featured in The New York Times Op-Docs Series in 2021. She is committed to breaking barriers as an AAPI director. 

    Read more: https://www.seunghee-kim.com/ 

06.

Alleswasichberühre
Marion Täschler (HSLU)
2020, Switzerland, 4'

In a constant search for closeness, C experiences emotions in all their highs and lows. Even if a familiar phase of togetherness is followed by a rejection of the other person and, accordingly, a sad loneliness, C does not give up.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: Yes
    Technique: drawn animation, drawing on paper
    Language: German

    Team:
    Written and directed by Marion Täschler // Editing: Marion Täschler // Sound Design: Loïc Kreyden // Re-Recording Mix: Thomas Gassmann // Music: Yannick Gächter // Animation: Luisa Zürcher, Marion Täschler // Producer: Jürgen Haas 

    About the director:
    Born in 1988 in Diepoldsau, Switzerland. 2009-13 Apprenticeship as decoration designer. 2020 Bachelor in 2D Animation from HSLU (Lucern School of Design, Film and Art). Her graduation film Alleswasichberühre (2020) screened at numerous festivals. Since 2020 she has been working at the animation collective Studio uuuh! in Zurich, which she founded with Noah Erni.

    Read more: https://www.mariontaeschler.com/ 

07.

Kill Your Darlings
Thirza Ingold (Asako Film, HSLU)
2023, Switzerland, 5'49''

If there’s one thing farmer Olga loves more than her own pigs, it’s pork chops. When the slaughtered pigs discover that they can still influence the goings-on at the farm even after their death, a vicious circle  is set in motion.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Technique: Puppet film
    Language: n/a

    Team:
    Written and directed by Thirza Ingold // Marina Rosset // Sound Design: Aline Schoch // Re-Recording Mix: Jeroen Visser // Music: Simon Schwaninger // Animation:  Thirza Ingold, Eleonora Berra // Compositing: Franziska Meyer // Lighting Design: Rafael Sommerhalder // Producer: Anja Kofmel, Gerd Gockell, Jochen Ehmann

    About the director:
    Born in 1981 in St. Aubin, Switzerland. 2004 Receives degree from the Berne University of Teacher Education. Since 2004 she works as a crafts teacher. Since 2011 leads animation film workshops for children and youths. 2013 BA in Animation from HSLU (Hochschule Luzern, Design & Kunst), Animation 3D. Since 2013 works as an independent animation filmmaker. 2023 MA in Animation at HSLU. Her short Les Soeurs De Coeur (2012) screened at numerous festivals, including Lisbon, Trieste, and Fantoche in Baden.

    Read more: https://wiki.animation-luzern.ch/Thirza_Ingold 

08.

Pests / Nuisible
Juliette Laboria (ENSAD)
2021, France, 6'30''

In the summer heat, wasps are busy eating the ripe and sweet fruit. However, these fruits also attract other visitors, who take a thieving pleasure in appropriating the garden's rich bounty.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Technique: 3Dcomputer, rotoscope
    Language: French

    Team:
    Written, directed, and animated by Juliette LABORIA // Set: Juliette LABORIA // Castings: Léna MARTINEZ, Salomé PEREZ, Elliot PETIT, Tristan PETIT, Emilia JACOTIN, Bertille DES BORDERIES, Pauline LABORIA, Juliette LABORIA // Image: Juliette LABORIA // Film editor: Juliette LABORIA // Rendering: Juliette LABORIA // Sound engineer: Jérémy BEN AMMAR // Sound editor: Jérémy BEN AMMAR // Mix: Christian Phaure et Jérémy BEN AMMAR // Soundtrack: Jérémy BEN AMMAR

    About the director:
    After a preparatory school in the artistic field, Juliette Laboria studied animation film during 5 years at the Arts Décoratifs de Paris. Poetry lover and fan of science fiction and fantasy stories, she explores the shifting boundary between the real and the imaginary through different medias such as animated films, writing and illustration. Her favourite subjects revolve around dreamlike worlds where the living in all its forms, occupies a central place. During her last year of studies at ENSAD, Juliette makes her first short film Nuisibles which depicts a war between children and wasps in an idyllic garden. The confrontation of these two species in a confined area leads her to examine the complexity of human behaviour, on the interactions they're having with other species and on their way of cohabiting in the same space.

    Read more: https://www.slowgalerie.com/en/juliette-laboria/11768-juliette-laboria-artiste.html

09.

Enough
Anna Mantzaris (Royal College of Art)
2017, UK, 2'27''

This film centers around impulses we all can feel but never act upon. It shows glimpses of emotional anarchy and moments of lost self-control.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: No
    Technique: Puppet film
    Language: English

    Team:
    Written and directed, editing: Anna Mantzaris // DOP: Donna Wade // Sound design: André Parklind // Music: Phil Brookes // Animation: Anna Mantzaris, Marcos Valin // Post-production: Hugo Vieites Caamano

    About the director:
    Anna Mantzaris is a Swedish Director and Animator based in London. Worked in various projects both commercials and feature films, recently animated on Wes Anderssons Isle of Dogs. Her short film But Milk is Important, co-directed with Eirik Gronmo Bjornsen, won over 20 international awards. And her first year film at the Royal College of Art Enough was screened at festivals around the world, and has so far received multiple awards. Her graduation film is Good Intention. Anna is represented as a Director by Passion Pictures.

    Read more: https://www.annamantzaris.se/ 

10.

Average Happiness
Maja Gehrig (Langfilm)
2019, Switzerland, 7'

During a PowerPoint presentation, statistical diagrams are breaking free from the strait-jacket of their coordinates. A trip into the sensual world of statistics begins.

  • Recommended for children under 14 years of age: Yes
    Technique: 2D computer animation
    Language: English

    Team:
    Animation: Maja Gehrig, Stefan Holaus // Script: Maja Gehrig // Film editor: Maja Gehrig, Nora de Baan // Mix: Christoph Benz, Jingle Jungle

    About the director:
    Born in 1978 in Zurich, Switzerland. 1999-2000 Attends preparatory course at ZHdK (Zürcher Hochschule der Künste). 2000-02 Attends Fachhochschule Aarau, Media Arts department. 2002-03 Internship at Eesti Joonisfilm, Tallinn. 2003-05 attends HSLU (Hochschule Luzern, Design & Kunst), animation department. 2006-11 works as curator of installations and performances at ARM (Artspace Rondeel Maastricht). 2011 Founds Gehrig Trick & Sohn. 

    Filmography: 
    2015 Queen Bum, 11min, Zurich, Switzerland, Festivals: Oberhausen, Clermont-Ferrand, Annecy, Leipzig, Fantoche and many more, Awards: Audience Award, Solothurner Filmtage 2015, 1. Prize Zurich Filmaward, 2. Prize «Prix des écoles» Short FF Brest, Audience Award,  27th FESTIVAL CINE JUNIOR etc. 
    2009 Amourette», 5min20, Zurich, Switzerland, Festivals: Fantoche, Seoul, Winterthur, Madrid and many more, Awards: Best Animation, Corto Helvetico Femminile 2010, Lugano, Special Mentions: Fantoche Baden 2009, Monstra 2010  Lissabon & Anim`est 2010, Bukarest, Special Mention, International competition, Anim`est 2010, Bukarest, Rumänien 
    2005 Une Nuit Blanche, 9 min, Puppet-Animation, 35mm, HGK Lucerne, Switzerland
    2003/2004, 2PS, 4 min 30, drawing-animation, direct animation, 16mm, HGK Lucerne, Switzerland
    2003, Metawalz, 3 min, 2D Computer animation, HGK Lucerne, Switzerland
    2003, TripleTexas Dream, 1min 23, Tallinn, Estonia.

    Read more: https://www.gehrigtrick.ch/

The event is supported by Embassy of Switzerland in Slovenia

 
Kaja Fiedler