Voyage of the Red Rabbit
Country: United States
Directed by: Sam Gualtieri
Produced by: Sam Gualtieri; Room 300
Synopsis: An anthropomorphic Rabbit-Spaceman searches for his home in the outer bounds of the universe. Meanwhile, an old man on earth eats apple pie and considers what happens in the afterlife.
Qualifying win: Grand Jury Award (Best Animated Short) at Florida Film Festival
Walk in the Light
Country: United States
Directed by: Princella Smith
Produced by: Princella Smith, Kym Whitley; 419 Studios
Synopsis:The story of the Oklahoma City Bombing through the eyes of a blind hero, Raymond Washburn, who led five people to safety from inside the building. He recounts his story to his young granddaughter while teaching her to embrace her Native American heritage. Based on true events.
Qualified by exhibition.
Wednesdays with Gramps
Country: United States
Directed by: Chris Copeland, Justin Copeland
Produced by: Shabrayia B. Cleaver; DreamWorks Animation
Synopsis: When a teenage boy visits his grandfather at a his assisted living facility, he realizes that they have much more in common than he thought.
Qualified by exhibition.
Whale 52
Country: United States
Directed by: Daniel Neiden
Produced by: Edward Jordon and Daniel Neiden
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, the short tells a poignant tale of connection between a third-grade student who’s selectively mute and a lonely 80-year-old volunteer who’s mourning the death of his male partner. Animated by Bill Plympton.
Qualified by exhibition.
Winter in March
Countries: Estonia, Armenia, France
Directed by: Natalia Mirzoyan
Produced by: Black Boat Pictures
Synopsis: Helpless in the face of a repressive state, a young couple leaves their home — an escape that turns into a surreal nightmare.
Qualifying win: Heart of Sarajevo for the Best Short Film at Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The Wolf (Le Loup)
Country: Canada
Directed by: Theodore Ushev
Produced by: Etienne Hansez
Synopsis: An old man is chasing a wolf pack. A little wolf survives, but eventually will return. Who will win — the wolf or the man?
Qualifying win: Jury Grand Prize Animation at Edmonton International Film Festival (Canada)
— This dossier was compiled for Animation Magazine by Jason Sanchez, with updates and additions by Ramin Zahed and Mercedes Milligan.
