KAFF - It has begun!

2019.06.20. 19:31:46 

The 14th Kecskemét Animation Film Festival and the 11th Festival of European Animated Feature Films and TV Films have officially started on Wednesday.

 

The opening commenced with African beats from the musical ensemble TanBorEn Trio: the black continent was the special guest of this year’s festival, as it was represented by Egyptian attendee Mohamed Ghazala’s greeting in the crowded hall of Hírös Agóra. The Egyptian professor emphasized the paradox in the contrast of the African people’s daily struggle for life, while African culture is generously full of humour and joy. This dichotomy is also visible in their animated films.

 

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Tanboren Trio: Csombor Kerek, Zoltán Mihály Madaras, Levente Tóth

 

Before Ghazala’s speech, Deputy State Secretary Anikó Krucsainé Herter delivered the words of Prof. Dr. Miklós Kásler, Minister of Human Resources. As the leader of the Ministry of Human Resources, Kásler praised the strong roots of Hungarian culture and the effort keeping this connection alive. The staff of Kecskemétfilm, creators of Hungarian Folktales and organizers of KAFF received these words of praise, among other things. After officially opening the festival, Krucsainé awarded the Pro Cultura Hungarica Award for the director of Hiroshima Film Festival, Sayoko Kinoshita, who had a great role in spreading Hungarian culture in Japan, and strengthening collaboration between Hungary and Japan.

The streak of rewards did not come to an end yet, as Ferenc Mikulás awarded the KAFF Lifetime Award for the members of Kaláka Ensemble, who have been helping the staff of Kecskemétfilm since the beginning.

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 Kaláka: Balázs Radványi, Gábor Becze, Vilmos Gryllus

 

Featuring creators from 16 countries, the screening of the first section of the Hungarian shorts competition programme closed the ceremony. The much awaited short The Last Supper by Ferenc Rófusz, the only Oscar-winner Hungarian animation director, was also shown on the screen.

In an interview from Euronews, Rófusz praised developing technical features of the new age, saying “we did it like we were really in Milan, and shooting the whole film at the original place. It already includes 3D, live action, 2D animation and special effects in 3D.

The 10-minute-long film was welcome with a long applause – however, it is a question whether the audience and the jury have a common opinion in their review. We will get an answer to this question on the closing ceremony of Saturday.

 

The first recap film from the festival is available here.