Rio de Janeiro's Anima Mundi, one of the world's largest and most prominent animation festivals, has given the long-awaited -- and long-delayed -- Delgoits highest award for best feature film.
Produced by Atlanta-based Fathom Studios, Delgo was announced in 1998; production initially lasted from 2001 to 2006. Fathom initially expected to complete production by the end of 2002, but delays forced the studio to hire numerous outside contractors and consultants.
The all-star voice cast includes Anne Bancroft in her final film. Bancroft, who was given top billing as the voice of Sedessa, died of uterine cancer in June 2005. Melissa McBride served as a voice double for Bancroft in limited sequences after the star's death.
The final cut of Delgo, a fantasy action-adventure of a world's struggle for unity, premiered at the Brazilian animation festival. Other cast members include Freddie Prinze, Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Val Kilmer, Chris Kattan, Malcolm McDowell, Lou Gossett, Jr., Kelly Ripa, Michael Clarke Duncan, Eric Idle, Sally Kellerman and Burt Reynolds.
"After many years of development and production, it's exhilarating to have such a positive reception from audiences," said producer Marc F. Adler, who, with Jasin Maurer, directed the feature film. "Seeing the reactions from festival attendees as they watched our film made all our hard work worthwhile."
The computer-animated Delgo was also selected by Annecy (France) and SICAF (Korea), the world's other two largest animation festivals. A wide domestic theatrical release will be announced shortly.
An audience of 100,000 viewers, rather than a festival jury, determines the award for best feature film. "We believe it's important for film enthusiasts to decide on the winner rather than a panel of jurors or film critics," said Anima Mundi director Cesar Coelho. "Everyone who watches the selected films has an opportunity to voice their opinion."
Winning films at Anima Mundi were selected from thousands of submissions from over 70 countries. The 15-day festival ends today (Sunday, July 27).
In second place for best feature film was Princess, by Anders Morgenthaler of Denmark. Third place went to American director Bill Plympton's Idiots and Angels.
Dossie Re Bordosa by César Cabral took the first prize in two categories: best short subject and best Brazilian animaiton. It also won a special award, the Prêmio Aquisição Canal Brasil.
La Queue de la Souris, directed by Benjamin Renner of France, won first prize for best student film, as well as second prize for best short subject.
Humberto Avelar's Seu Lobo won third prize in the categories of best children's animation and best Brazilian animation.
Other awards announced by Anima Mundi:
Best Short Subject 3. Premier Voyage (Grégoire Sivan, France)
Best Student Film 2. Oktapodi (Julien Bocabeille, François Xavier Chanioux, Olivier Delabarre, Thierry Marchand, Quentin Marmier and Emud Mokhberi, France) 3. Maman Je T'Aime (Mickael Abensur, Antoine Collet and Damien Dell'omodarme, France)
Best Children's Animation 1. Um Dia de Sol (Gil Alkabetz, Germany) 2. A Maldição de Skull Rock (Ben Smith, United Kingdom)
Best Brazilian Animation 2. Calango Lengo - Vida e Morte Sem Ver Agua (Fernando Miller)
Professional Jury Prizes
Best Soundtrack KFJG Nº 5 (Alexei Alexeev, Hungary)
Best Script La Maison en Petits Cubes (Kunio Kato, Japan)
Best Art Direction Yours Truly (Osbert Parker, United Kingdom)
Best Animation Madame Tutli-Putli (Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, Canada)
Best Commissioned Film Sony Bravia "Play-Doh" (Frank Budgen and Darren Walsh, United Kingdom)
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Jul 27, 2008, 3:13 AM)
