Cartoon Saloon’s The Breadwinner took both of the top honours: The Grand Prize, selected by the festival jury, and the Audience Award, selected by festival attendees at the inaugral Animation is Film festival.
The Breadwinner is directed by Nora Twomey with screen story by Ellis and screenplay by Anita Doron. The Breadwinner is the story of Parvana, a young girl living under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, who must disguise herself as a boy to become the breadwinner of the family when her father is unfairly imprisoned. A story of self-empowerment and imagination in the face of oppression.
The Breadwinner features the voice talents of Saara Chaudry (Max & Shred) in the role of Parvana, Soma Bhatia (Degrassi: Next Class) as Shauzia, Laara Sadiq (Remedy) as Parvana’s mother Fattema, Ali Badshah (The Cat In The Hat) as Parvana’s father Nurullah, Shaista Latif (This is the Life) as Parvana’s sister Soraya, and Kawa Ada (Jihad Gigilo) as Razaq.
The film is a collaborative effort of Canada’s Aircraft Pictures, Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon and Luxembourg’s Melusine Productions in association with Jolie Pas Productions.
The inaugural edition of Animation is Film took place Oct. 20-22 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theater in Hollywood. The festival presented a selection of twelve new animated feature films in competition, with selections from Asia, Europe, South America and North America, and filmmakers attending for most screenings.
Additionally, the festival presented studio events, special screenings, short film programs, and a VR lounge, with the majority of screenings selling out.
The festival was presented by GKIDS, Annecy Int’l Animation Film Festival, Variety and ASIFA-Hollywood.
8 CinÉireann / November 2017
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The Breadwinner