The ELLA BELLA BINGO project has been talked about for years and stood in the spotlight at various Works in Progress. Expectations were high for this animated feature about the little girl with her sporty bike. Director Frank Mosvold held a board position at the Kristiansand Festival for many years. For ECFA Journal he exclusively writes about the genesis of his film, which is now ready to enter the children’s film market for the youngest audience.
Author: Gert Hermans
Karl Emil Rikardsen about THE ARCTIC CAMELS
“Up North we have a different perception of time”
Did you know the two happiest camels in the world live on an island in Norway above the arctic circle? When Thorarin and his sister Svalin asked for a horse, they got two camels. But will they ever be able to ride them? The family embarks on an expedition to Mongolia to seek help. But little did they know about Mongolian training methods. With THE ARCTIC CAMELS another Norwegian ECFA Doc Award winning documentary shines a light on the relationship between humans and animals.
Mirlan Abdykalykov about RUNNING TO THE SKY
“The birds were not chosen randomly”
12 year old Jekshen is the fastest runner in the Kyrgyzstani mountain village, where he lives together with his alcoholic father. Lonely Jekshen grows up pretty much by himself, finding the last bit of freedom and relief by participating in a traditional running competition. Until one day he is pledged to take part in a big race, one that might change his life for the better.
Alena Rubinstein & Evgenia Jatskina about IT IS NOT FOREVER
“Families have become matriarchates”
IT IS NOT FOREVER (ECFA Award at the Spirit Of Fire Festival in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) combines several stories of children living in a Russian orphanage, all of them trying in their own way to achieve what they dream of most: finding a family. And all are waiting to prove they have love to share. But for some of them, the waiting has been too long. The Filem’on Festival offered a rare opportunity to meet with both directors Alena Rubinstein and Evgenia Jatskina. But how was it for them?
Julio Bárcenas S. about EMMA
“Funny, not dogmatic”
Ever since Emma was hit in the face by a ball on the day of her communion, she has been convinced she is to become a ‘saint’. Or maybe a football player. The nuns at school are surprised about Emma’s ambition, and at home she is facing even more misunderstanding. Maybe she needs indeed to adjust her dream, just a tiny little bit. The Schlingel Festival was the first occasion for Mexican director Julio Bárcenas S. to screen his film on the European continent.
Unusual circumstances
Due to unusual circumstances in the current festival circuit, some of the information in this ECFA Update might already be obsolete at the time of publishing. Cancelling events to prevent a further spread of the corona virus can be a last minute decision.
JEF hands out 2020’s first ECFA Awards
In the JEF festival (Antwerp) the first ECFA Awards of the year came in all three categories: feature, short film and documentary. It doesn’t happen often that an animation film makes it to the list of nominees but MARONA can claim its rightful place among the stars.
ECFA Award for AWAY in Khanty-Mansiysk
With the animation film AWAY, the 18th edition of the Spirit of Fire Int. Film Festival in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia added another title to the ECFA Award nominations list.