Resurgent ANIMAHENASYON at RED CARPET Awards

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus Bautista

The 17^th edition of ANIMAHENASYON, the country’s premiere animation festival and competition, had a surge of entries this year at 112. This was from the previous 80. The entries came from various regions across the country from cities like Zamboanga, Cebu, Iloilo and Baguio, as well as NCR.

From top left: #BALATWINNER Ma. Isabel Kim Tacut, Jamayla Julia Narvasa,
Bottom left: Sophia Marie Borja, Kyrene Joei Santos and Dr. Tito Romero of iAcademy. The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

The awards night, November 17, 2023 at the RED CARPET Cinemas in Shang Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong were dominated by young women. The ANIMAHENASYON Creative Awards is presented by the Animation Council of the Philippines in partnership with the French Embassy, RED CARPET Cinema and Shangri La Plaza Mall.

Log on to Red Carpet fb
https://www.facebook.com/redcarpetattheshang

Photo from: https://www.facebook.com/AnimahenasyonPH

Michaela Ternasky-Holland won the Grand Prize for REIMAGINED VOLUME II: MAHAL in the Professional Division which has a cash prize of P100,000. She also earned the Best In Technical Award which came with a P20,000 cash prize.

Grand Prize Winner Professional Division: REIMAGINED VOLUME II: MAHAL by Michaela Ternasky-Holland. Photo from: https://www.facebook.com/AnimahenasyonPH

REIMAGINED VOLUME II: MAHAL has been screened at the Tribeca Film festival and most recently in SXSW Sydney. “It was inspired by Philippine mythology and Holland’s own grief of losing her father who died in a car accident when she was very young. This project was funded by Meta as it used Quill (painting and animation software for virtual reality) as a platform. This project was also equally female-produced, -directed and -written project. The first and third instalments were directed by Julie Cavalier and guest director Melissa Joiner, respectively.” From philtimes.com.au : Fil-Am XR Director Holland makes SXSW Sydney debut

Watch movies in Robinsons Movieworld Cinemas: Robinsons Place Antipolo,
Robinsons Place Gapan, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place Ermita and Robinsons Place Galleria.
Log on to
https://www.robinsonsmalls.com/cinemas

The University of Makati group composed of Alliah Jasreel Padre, Michael Andrew Colarina and Ivan Cris Caraon won Grand Prize (Student Division) for GRACE, a story about hope and making yourself whole. The Grand prize for the Student Division has a P70,000 cash prize. GRACE also snagged two other prizes: Best Production Design (P20,000) and Best in Storytelling (P20,000).

Grand Prize winner Student Division: GRACE by Alliah Jasreel Padre and Ivan Cris Caraon not in photo- Michael Andrew Colarina. Photo from Sylvain Lamourette fb
https://www.facebook.com/sylvain.lamourette.3

GRACE has also previously won at the CCP’s 35th Gawad Alternatibo in the Animation Category last August. Gawad Alternatibo is the longest running independent film competition of its kind in Asia.

From right: ACPI Pres. Juan Miguel Del Rosario, Juror Xavier Morelli, French Cooperation Attaché Sylvain Lamourette and French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal. The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

ANIMAHENASYON festival director Ricky Orellana describes GRACE as, “A female character went into another dimension with strange creatures. You notice the complexity of design. There are fantasy elements, quirky. Not the typical animation you’d see.”

From left: Jamayla Julia Narvasa, Sophia Marie Borja, Ma. Isabel Kim Tacut and Kyrene Joei Santos (#BALATWINNER). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

The all-girl contingent of Sophia Marie Borja, Jamayla Julia Narvasa, Ma. Isabel Kim Tacut and Kyrene Joei Santos from iAcademy Cebu earned BEST REGIONAL ENTRY. Their piece #BALATWINNER earned P50,000 cash prize. They narrowly beat out Genna Orbillo of Ateneo De Naga University. Orbillo’s stand out work is entitled ARRUPE IN JAPAN and is part of the Top 20 finalists.

For a complete list of winners scroll down below.

Log on to
https://www.philippineairlines.com/

Powerful Ideas

Jury Head Xavier Morelli is the Line Producer of Ellipse Animation in France. He was invited through the partnership with the French Embassy.

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

Describing the finalists Morelli said, “There are varied subject matter. There’s technical skills and technical weakness. But the great thing is their ideas shine through. They are able to put across ‘Powerful ideas’. More than technique, the ideas are there. I feel Filipinos have a lot of stories to tell. They are willing to tell strong stories. That’s the main thing in an audiovisual medium like animation.”

From left: French Cooperation Attaché Sylvain Lamourette, Top Draw Animation Management Consultant Cyrus Mistry, Ellipse Animation Line Producer Xavier Morelli and Top Draw Head of Client Relations Mgt Sabrina Maybituin. The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

Awardees apart from being technically sound has a way of touching the heart, each in their own way. Morelli adds, “If they are able to give life to what they think on the screen, that’s one criteria. Tell us the story that is able to touch your heart and soul. That’s what animation means, at least to me. Storytelling, ideas come first then the technical side. Everyone can learn technical skills. Learn animation, learn how to draw. Having ideas is more important. That’s the whole point.”

For more details log on to GCash fb:
https://www.facebook.com/gcashofficial/

Training Exchange

He also hinted that the best way to exchange knowledge and training is through some of their schools, “Our schools are well known all over the world, like GOBELINS. We can probably exchange through that. So we can develop Filipino ideas with stronger technical skills. This includes storyboarding, story framing.”

Juror / Ellipse Animation Line Producer Xavier Morelli and Host Kimberly Mas (former ANIMAHENASYON Awardee); The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (10)

Ranked as the world’s leading school for animation, GOBELINS Paris offers a complete curriculum from Bachelor to Master of Arts and an English-language program. They also offer programs in all image-related fields, from design to production in all its forms (still, animated, interactive, 3D), and from 4.0 printing to Virtual Reality. Founded over fifty years ago, GOBELINS Paris has become a leader among schools for the visual arts. (from official website)

From right: Ivan Cris Caraon, Alliah Jasreel Padre (GRACE), Mark John Hermano (TSINELAS), Arlo John Bayot (DATI) and Mervin Malonzo (SALAMIN NI MALAS). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

For more details log on to:
https://smdc.com/

Big Studios

The increase in entries were attributed to more professional entries. Animation Council of the Phil. Inc (ACPI) Executive Director Daniel Enriquez said, “This year we have 112 entries, a far cry from the 80 last year. There was a big participation from the big production studios. Sa professional level, dumami sila. Exciting dahil tumataas sumali at tumataas anticipation.

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: ACPI Pres. Juan Miguel Del Rosario, Ronald Lim, Lina Lim, Aldwyn Ayao and Grace Aya. The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

The council as screeners, “A few of members like TAKTYL, there are a lot more who aren’t members of the Animation Council that we welcomed to the mix. To tell you how the judging process is, the members of the animation council they screened all of the 112. To come up with the 20 finalists.”

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

Mariana Zobel de Ayala, an eighth-generation Zobel, is Ayala Corporation’s next-generation leader. With her world-class education and diverse professional experience, she stands poised in leading her family’s esteemed empire into a new era.
#AyalaMalls
Read more below.
https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/front-female/mariana-zobel-de-ayala-tatler-cover-story-november-2023

International Judges

Enriquez also mentioned the composition of the jury, “For the finalists there are star judges from elsewhere, from all around the world. Will look at the final 20. This year we have judges from France, Indonesia, Canada. Previously during the pandemic we also had Kimberly (Mas) as our host. That time we had people from Japan, the U.S. to take a look at their works. Multifaceted ang tingin nila. Its not just Asian perspective.”

Host Kimberly Mas (former ANIMAHENASYON Awardee); The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

This year’s host is Kimberly Mas. She was a former awardee along with groupmates John Paul Bonoan, Stefanie de Leoz, from DLSU-CSB in 2013. Their piece THE DITCH won Best Animation and Technical Excellence (Student Division).

Touchdown TUGUEGARAO
PAL’s inaugural flight last October 29 was the first of a daily service to the capital of Cagayan Province, the latest PAL move to support tourism and trade in Northern Luzon.
Log on to
https://www.philippineairlines.com/

Talent to Investment

ANIMAHENASYON as the premiere animation festival of the country has been able to showcase works from all across the country. Showing that we have more talent can lead to more opportunities.

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

Enriquez explained, “More and more people are interested. Hoping to build the talent. And hopefully, would mean more jobs. So we can lure and attract more foreign investment here.”

From left: Ivan Cris Caraon (GRACE), Ronalyn Lourdez Olivarez (PIPE DREAM), Shannon Marie Sy (DAANAN ARAW-ARAW), Giancarlo Chan Ng (ZAENIN: THE VIOLATORS- EPISODE 0) and John Rindelle Francisco (TIME FILES). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

“Just to give you our success stories we have the big 4 already. Basically its TOY ANIMATION Philippines, TOON CITY, SNIPPLE and TOP DRAW. The big 4, they are 200-300 animators na full time. Of course may mga freelancers pa yon. The good thing about it is they are 100% export.” These are companies that cater to large projects like cartoons and feature films with foreign clients.

For more details log on to:
https://www.shangrila-properties.com/

Advertising and other fields that require animation go to smaller operators, “TVCs, advertising projects are for SMEs that have 50 or less than 50 animators and staff. Animation these days are made use in the fields of education. During the pandemic more people watched animation. Our sister industry: gaming design and multimedia, they have propensity for adapting. Pandemic proof. Nandun pa rin yung need for expertise.”

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

For more details log on to Nissin Ramen PH fb:
https://www.facebook.com/nissinyakisoba

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (19)

List of Winners:

GRAND PRIZE:

REIMAGINED VOLUME II: MAHAL by Michaela Ternasky-Holland

Professional Division

Grand Prize Award (P100,000 Cash Prize)

–Best In Technical Award (P20,000)

Grand Prize Winner Professional Division: REIMAGINED VOLUME II: MAHAL by Michaela Ternasky-Holland. Photo from: https://www.facebook.com/AnimahenasyonPH

GRACE by Alliah Jasreel Padre, Michael Andrew Colarina and Ivan Cris Caraon from University of Makati

Student Division

Grand Prize Award (P70,000),

–Best Production Design (P20,000)

–Best in Storytelling (P20,000)

From left: ACPI Executive Dir Daniel Enriquez hands a certificate to Alliah Jasreel Padre and Ivan Cris Caraon not in photo- Michael Andrew Colarina (GRACE). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

Watch movies at IMAX SM Aura Premier, IMAX SM City Cebu, IMAX SM City Clark, IMAX SM Lanang Premier, IMAX SM Mall of Asia, IMAX SM Megamall, IMAX SM North Edsa and IMAX SM Southmall. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/IMAXSMCinema/

Professional Division:

COMMUTE by Mark Mendoza of Friendly Foes (Professional Division)

–Best Non-Narrative Animation Award (P20,000)

–Best Production Design Award (P20,000)

Mark Mendoza (COMMUTE); The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

SALAMIN NI MALAS by Mervin Malonzo -Independent (Professional Division)

–Best in Storytelling Award (P20,000),

–John Martin Award (P20,000)

The John Martin Award is a special award sponsored by Fernando Ortigas honoring John Alexander Martin’s contribution to the local animation industry. The award aims to recognize the Filipino animators talent in 2d traditional / hand-drawn animation techniques. The winner will receive a certificate, a trophy and P20,000 cash prize.

From right: Mervin Malonzo (SALAMIN NI MALAS), Mark Mendoza (COMMUTE), Jeremiyah Cuyas (ASTRA LUNA) and Matthew Elijah Ranada (PRESENT). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

LEGENDS UNTOLD by Neilwyn Del Rosario and Randolph Go of Farafog

(Professional Division)

— Jury’s Special Citation (P20,000)

From Left: Neilwyn Del Rosario and Randolph Go (LEGENDS UNTOLD). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (24)

Log on to:
https://www.facebook.com/KnorrPhilippines/

Student Division:

#BALATWINNER by Sophia Marie Borja, Jamayla Julia Narvasa, Ma. Isabel Kim Tacut

and Kyrene Joei Santos from iAcademy Cebu

–Best Regional Entry (P50,000) [Professional or student]

From left: ACPI Executive Dir Daniel Enriquez hands a certificate to Sophia Marie Borja and group (#BALATWINNER). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

TIME FILES by John Rindelle Francisco and Leon Jaughn Lopez of CIIT College of Arts and Technology (Student Division)

–Best Non-Narrative Animation (P20,000)

–Best in Technical (P20,000)

From left: John Rindelle Francisco and Leon Jaughn Lopez (TIME FILES); The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

Log on to:
https://www.facebook.com/magiccracker

PRESENT by Matthew Elijah Rañada of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde

(Student Division)

–Jury’s Special Citation (P20,000)

From right: Jeremiyah Cuyas (ASTRA LUNA) and Matthew Elijah Ranada (PRESENT). The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista

The 17th ANIMAHENASYON Festival was held at RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Plaza Mall from Nov. 17-18, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (29)

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

Trending Articles