Still: Murmuration - Janneke Swinkels and Tim Frijsinger

Celebrating its world premiere in Annecy’s Official Short Films Competition section is Murmuration by directors duo Janneke Swinkels and Tim Frijsinger. The stop-motion animation is produced by Peter Lindhout for Spotted Bird in co-production with Murmur Animation and Belgian production outfit Beast Animation. The short tells the story of Piet, an elderly man in a nursing home, who finds himself limited in his actions when he suddenly begins to transform into a bird. Although he is still accepted within the group, he feels that it's time to join a new flock. Sales and festival distribution are with Miyu.

In the Official Graduation Films Competition section a very strong new generation of animators is represented with no less than three Dutch student films that are selected and competing for the awards.

Naomi Noir’s Mother’s Child, her graduation film for the Utrecht University of the Arts, follows Mary, a mother and caregiver for her mentally and physically disabled son. Her life is flooded with bureaucratic calls from government institutions. While we slowly fade into surrealism, we get to the very core of how she is feeling. The short had a dream start in the festival circuit at this year’s Berlinale followed by many festival selections and awards, including recently two Oscar Qualifying Awards at Atlanta Film Festival and Dallas International Film Festival. Festival distribution is handled by Studio Wasia and sales by SND Films.

REM Sleep, graduation film for Artez University of The Arts Zwolle by Husam Zakaraya explores the human condition, particularly that in the Middle East, where themes of suffering, war and death are daily realities. The film is based on my dreams and personal experiences as a Syrian refugee. Earlier festival selections include Animateka International Animated Film Festival in Slovenia and Netherlands Film Festival.

Leticia van Neerven’s graduation film for AKV St.Joost - Master Institute of Visual Cultures, The Virtue of Voice is an animated documentary that deals with a difficult subject matter and gives a glimpse into the minds of two people who have committed criminal offences. How does society deal with offenders? And what could you do to prevent victims? Earlier this year the short was selected for Kaboom Animation Festival. Previously Van Neerven celebrated festival success with her student short animation Clarkii with selections for among others Animest, where it received a Special Mention for Best Documentary, Frome International Climate Film Festival and Movies That Matter.

At the MIFA market Dutch co-produced XR project in development DeMaré: a Sensory Journey to the Depths of the Ocean (NL coprod. Film Arcades) is selected for the Immersive Experience MIFA Pitches and will be presented there. It combines scientific research and artisanal fishing knowledge to raise awareness about marine conservation. By embodying marine animals and experiencing their sensory worlds, participants delve into the archetype of "home", and the global interdependence of oceans.

Find out more information about Annecy and MIFA here.