Each year MIAF focuses on a specific technique. In 2009 we take a closer look at sand animation. This involves an animator placing and moving coloured sand, salt and other powders on a light box and using hand brushes, air brushes and an array of other tools to create thousands of wonderfully textured pictures that make up the finished film.To showcase this technique, we have put together a program which mixes the very best of recently released sand animations carefully blended with a collection of classics from the last 25 years.
films In Competition
Take It Easy / No Corras Tanto Cesar Diaz Melendez Spain, 2008, 4'45 A visual encyclopaedia of the possibilities of sand animation. Pure fun!
The Ugly Duckling Osinka Magdalena Poland, 2008, 2'00 For those with the right eyes, there is beauty buried in the most surprising places.
Fur Mathilde Alla Churikova Germany, 2009, 7'00 A young girl escapes the boredom of her piano lesson for the noise and colour of the big city.
Traverser Hugo Frassetto France, 2008, 5'00 A beautifully animated journey showcasing the very best properties of sand animation.
White Snake Yunting Ruan China, 2007, 5'45 After searching for 1000 years, White Snake falls in love.
Footprints Franziska Bachmaier Germany, 2007, 4’00 A girl tries to flee the shadows of the past, even as they swirl around and envelope her.
Hungu Nicolas Brault Canada, 2008, 6'30 Under the African sun death is a constant companion but so too is the hungu, an ancient musical instrument.
classics collection
Hero Sandwich Andy Collen, Amy Collen USA, 1996, 2’45 Maybe the first coloured American coloured sand animation. Random tales of little driving incidents.
The Crows Ernest Ansorge, Gisele Ansorge Switzerland, 1967, 4’00 Having attempted to live off the beaten track, a man is hunted down, arrested and hanged.
The Metamorphosis Of Mr Samsa Caroline Leaf Canada, 1977, 9’45 A true classic – a stunningly animated adaptation of the classic Kafka take by one of the true masters of animation.
The Little Boy Who Stole The Moon Ernest Ansorge, Gisele Ansorge Switzerland, 1988, 6’30 It’s always the same! You shoot for the moon and then don’t know what to do with it when you grab it.
Notch Prichla Svetlana Filippova Russia, 1998, 5’30 A masterpiece of grey zones. Night is falling. In a dark room, a young boy is prey to anguish. Outside, life goes on...
The Swan Aleksandra Korejwo Poland, 1990, 3’30 Simply breathtaking. The gentle grace and pure white majesty of swans.
Carmen Torero Aleksandra Korejwo Poland, 1996, 3’45 One of the finest coloured salt/sand films ever made. A soaring visualisation of Bizet’s Carmen Torero
Les Oiseaux Blancs, Les Oiseaux Noirs Florence Miailhe France, 2002, 4’00 A free flowing tour through the best and worst that life can offer any of us.