Winners of the BAF06 Awards
BAF Awards
The National Museum of Photography, Film & Television is delighted to announce the winners of this year’s BAF Awards. The awards were presented at a glittering ceremony hosted by legendary stop-frame animator Barry Purves (King Kong and Mars Attacks!) on Saturday night at the museum in Bradford which culminated the hugely successful four-day festival.
The BAF Awards celebrate the very best new animation from around the world. 2006 has witnessed record highs in film submissions with more than 1,000 submissions whittled down to just 42 films entered into the Official Selection. The winners were selected by an international jury of animation experts chaired by Pat Raine Webb who worked at the renowned Halas & Batchelor Studio from 1977 to 1992 and has been on the Board of Directors of the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) since 1988. Other jurors are Margot Grimwood (Director of ASIFA UK since 1985); award-winning animator and lecturer Pedro Serrazina from Portugal, Andy Wyatt, formerly of Aardman Animation, and animation author Giannalberto Bendazzi from Italy.
The categories also feature the Audience Award which is voted for by festival
goers throughout the festival.
BAF 2006 Award-Winners
Grand Prix (overall winner)
Dreams & Desires – Family Ties – Dir. Joanna Quinn
(UK, 2006)
Joanna Quinn’s latest film captures Beryl at her drunken best as she undertakes
the role of videoing a chaotic wedding with her beloved new camcorder.
“For the sheer beauty of its cinematic language.”
Special Jury Prize (highly commended)
Who I Am and What I Want – Dir. Chris Shepherd and David Shrigley
(UK, 2005)
Pete just wants to live in the woods, not to have to wear clothes and be bothered
with other people. A surreal, disturbing and blacky funny adventure from cult
illustrator David Shrigley and director Chris Shepherd.
“For its fresh and provocative approach which challenges the boundaries
of animation.”
Best Professional Film
Rabbit – Dir. Run Wrake (UK, 2005)
A selection of 1950s educational style stickers provide the ingredients for
this adult fairy tale. When a boy and girl find an idol in the stomach of a
rabbit, its magical abilities lead to riches, but for how long? A dark, dreamlike
story of lost innocence, greed and the random justice of nature.
“For its innovative design values and interpretation of a bizarre subject.”
Marc Craste gives the Best
Student Award to Ian Gouldstone
Best Student Film
Guy 101 – Dir. Ian Gouldstone (UK, 2005)
The world of internet chatrooms is exposed in Ian Gouldstone’s frank and
uncompromising graduation film. Stark visuals and intuitive symbology tell the
story of Keith, a loner on the other side of the world and his encounter with
a hitchhiker.
“For its creative use of contemporary graphics”
Best Independent Film
Tale of How – Dir. Blackheart Gang (Sth Africa, 2006)
In a fantastical underground realm mythical creatures run the world, purify
bath water and make soap.
“For daring to be outrageous – both visually and musically”
Best Music Video
New York Dolls – Dance Like a Monkey – Dir. Dano Johnson
(USA, 2006)
The video for the single from the New York Dolls first studio album in 30 years
is foot stomping rock’n’roll that would get Darwin pogoing in the
mosh pit. The point? Just dance like a monkey!
“A brilliant visual interpretation of the spirit of the music.”
Best Commercial
Motorola Classics – Dir. Smith & Foulkes (UK, 2005)
A lightning paced journey through the history of the moving image. Following
our hero, a big-eared blue rabbit, we race from the stroboscopic animation of
a zoetrope to the screen of a mobile phone via some of the pivotal moments of
cinema.
“For its sheer brilliance and professionalism.”
Best TV Series
Charlie & Lola But That Is My Book – Dir. Kitty Taylor (UK,
2005)
You have to be quiet when you’re in a library. But that’s very hard
for Lola when she can’t find her absolutely favourite book Beetles, Bugs
& Butterflies.
“A delightful series that teaches without preaching.”
Best Film for Children
About A Goat & a Ram – Dir. Sergey Glagolev (Russia, 2005)
Two friends, a goat and a ram, escape from a cruel farmer only to find themselves
confronted by a hungry pack of wolves.
“For its design values that are pictorially rich – daring yet traditional.”
Best Film Produced By Children
Rubbish – Dir. Alex Hancocks (UK, 2005)
An old man who loves his small garden is terrorised by two thugs who dump rubbish
over his garden wall.
(* SPECIALLY COMMENDED The Wardrobe (Lewi Bolton, UK 2005) and Plant
the Movie (Ben Mansfield, UK 2006)
AWARDED AT BAF KIDS: CHILDREN’S AWARDS
Best Machinima Film (UK first)
The Days After – Dir. Andre Pesch (Germany 2006)
A dystopian vision of the near future made using the Grand Theft Auto engine.
AWARDED ON FRIDAY, 17th NOVEMBER 2006 AT BAF GAME
Audience Award
The Lecture - Clint Cure (Australia 2006)
Two animation teachers discuss the attitude of their wayward students. A hilarious
observational comedy, reminiscent of the work of Bob Godfrey.
AS VOTED FOR BY THE BAF DELEGATES
For more information or images please contact:
Sarah Crowther - NMPFT Assistant Press Officer
01274 203317 sarah.crowther@nmsi.ac.uk