“Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” has won the Grand Jury Prize at the 8th annual Animation Is Film Festival.
The features jury said, “Showing us the world from the perspective of a toddler, ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain‘ portrays the wonders and pains of being alive like poignant revelations. As it finds whimsy in the everyday through its dazzling style, the film also grapples with the complexity of two cultures clashing, connecting, and simultaneously shaping the young protagonist’s nascent identity.”
The Fumi Kitahara Special Jury Prize was awarded to “Decorado.” During opening night of the festival, AIF director Matt Kaszanek announced the prize’s renaming in memory of beloved publicist Fumi Kitahara, who died in February.
“Fumi devoted her professional career to championing animators and was one of the earliest and most vocal supporters of Animation Is Film and its mission. While there is a tremendous sadness at her not being at AIF this year, we take comfort in knowing that we’re about to spend the weekend doing what she would’ve wanted for us — coming together as a community in celebration of great animation,” Kaszanek said. The jury praised Decorado, stating, “Set in a dystopian reality where authoritarian forces control every aspect of the individual’s life, Decorado cleverly explores how we adapt and push back against accepted normalcy. Though it unflinchingly tackles timely and mature sociopolitical themes, it does so through satirical humor and fantastical characters — including the protagonist couple, Arnold and Maria — making it a wholly unexpected experience.”
“Arco,” directed by Ugo Bienvenu, was awarded the Audience Award. This imaginative, inventive and tender time-travel adventure, which weaves together themes of friendship, collective memory and the forces of a shifting planet, resonated strongly with the AIF audience.
The Shorts Jury Grand Prize went to Cynthia Calvi’s “Gigi,” described by jurors as “a deeply intimate, conversational chronicle of the title character’s gender transition. ‘Gigi’s’ strong visual metaphors ably enrich a story of inherent personal authenticity. It is a film that works on every level.”
The Special Jury Prize in Shorts was awarded to Giovanna Ferrari’s “Eiru.” The jury noted, “With visually stunning use of light and color, this rousing adventure set in ancient Ireland unfolds as a tale of mortal courage and divine reckoning, elevated by its breathtaking technical execution.”
“Animation Is Film offers its sincerest congratulations to all of the filmmakers who participated in this most recent edition,” Kaszanek said in a statement. “The 2025 Festival experienced record-shattering numbers in terms of attendance. This doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Thank you to the filmmakers, the audiences, the festival sponsors and community partners for celebrating the art of animation.”
The 2025 feature competition lineup included “All You Need Is Kill,” “Arco,” “Chao,” “Decorado,” “I Am Frankelda,” “Lesbian Space Princess,” “Little Amélie Or The Character Of Rain,” “Nobody,” “Scarlet” and “A Story About Fire.”
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