Power, Discrimination, Difference, Motherhood and Rural Diaspora Brought Into Focus at Women in Animation from Spain
Six emerging female animation directors in Spain, some with a considerable career in cinema such as IDFA Audience Award winner Lucija Stojević (“La Chana”), will unveil their latest projects at Annecy June 25 at Women in Animation from Spain.
The titles say much about the state of animation – in Spain and beyond.
Three of the five titles are Catalan productions as Catalonia builds as an exciting European animation hub.
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The works divide the way the whole international animation industry is going, split between commercial IP and auteur-driven creative work, at least in how they are conceived by their creators.
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(One crossover sweet spot between the two trends is of course original IP. “We believe ‘Night Forest’ has strong potential beyond the screen, as it is conceived as a transmedia IP that can grow through community building, publishing, merchandise, events and digital experiences,” says director Natasha Barreto)
Above all, the five titles are about something, whether power (the attractively mordant “Who Killed Cock Robin”), discrimination (“A Dangerous Journey”), difference (“Night Forest”), motherhood (“The Journey”) and rural diaspora (“A la fresca”). “This film is not only Lola’s story; it is the story of countless villages slowly falling silent, and of the people who refuse to fade away with them,” says director-producer Sandra Morán.
A closer look at the titles:
“A Dangerous Journey”
Directors: Lucija Stojević, Carla Melo, Iulia Voitova, Laura Ginès
Producers: Noon Films (Spain), Avec ou Sans Vous (France)
A first of two projects at Annecy this year from Barcelona’s rated Noon Films, which made the Doctors Without Borders short “Lost at Sea,” seen at Annecy in 2023. This transmedia project portrays three children classified as “undesirables,” interned at the Rivesaltes concentration camp in France during World War II. Co-directed by Colombia’s Melo “(“La Perra”), Ukraine’s Voitova (“Longue Distance”) and experimental animator Ginès (“Salvaxe, Salvaxe”).
“A la Fresca” (“Sitting Out”)
Director: Sandra Morán
Producer: Sandra Morán
Lola, in her 80s living alone in a village, summons her deceased friends every full moon to cope with loneliness, until present changes begin to transform her world. As places shift, their bond weakens and breaks, forcing Lola to face the change. A story depicted in unpretentious hand drawn 2D digital animation, about “how loneliness can transform into companionship, humor, and a renewed desire for life,” says Morán.
“The Journey,” (El viaje”)
Director: Susana Casares, Júlia Francino
Producers: Desarrollos Mediáticos Internacionales (WKND), Dos Soles Media (Spain); Nu Boyana (Portugal)
After a period devoted to motherhood, Agus sets off for a long yearned-for trip to Japan with dear friend Loly. “But buried fears and a hidden secret threaten the journey, turning an exotic adventure into a heartfelt reckoning eased by humor, friendship, and self-forgiveness,” the synopsis says. The 2D pitch based on the graphic novel by Agustina Guerrero is “a warm and engaging narrative, addressing complex subjects such as reproductive choice, unrealized dreams of motherhood, and the existential uncertainty that emerges when life diverges from our expectations,” say Casares and Francino.
“Night Forest”
Director: Natasha Barreto
Producers: LaMola Studio (Spain), Piragna Animation (Colombia), Artyc Content (Spain)
In the legendary Night Forest, Kai, a lonely deer-fox, Aspen, a healer axolotl, and Onyx, a red panda warrior, must stop a dark energy from consuming their world, unaware that it stems from Kai himself. Break the cycle or repeat his history? A fantastic 2D animated series, mixing cutout and traditional style, about identity and acceptance. The series speaks to a generation that is questioning its identity and searching for belonging. We want to create a world where being different is not something to hide, but something to embrace,” Barreto tells Variety.
“Who Killed Cock Robin”
Director: Romina Marti O’Toole
Producers: Frog Animation and Alhena Production
Cock Robin is found hanging dead from the balcony of his country house. “Who Killed Cock Robin?” the villagers ask in shock. “I,” Sparrow replies calmly. As the funeral unfolds, however, the village’s dark secrets slowly emerge. From Frog, set up in 2023 by Montse Capón, Mireia Hernández and Xavi Carmona, and veteran Norbert Llamas at Alhena (“The Coffee Table”). A potentially shrewd portrait of power dynamics. “Even when the visible face of power disappears, the system that created it will always find a replacement, allowing the cycle to continue,” Marti O’Toole tells Variety.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
