"The Crossing" winning Annecy Award

At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the largest and most important film festival of its kind worldwide, Florence Mialhe’s "The Crossing" was among the winners this weekend: the MDM-funded film won a Jury Distinction (Mention du Jury).

In "The Crossing", Florence Miailhe tells a moving refugee story: One summer day, thirteen-year-old Kyona, her twelve-year-old brother and their parents suddenly have to flee from their home when their village is devastated and set on fire by paramilitary troops. In the turmoil, the children become separated from their parents. Thus starts their dangerous odyssey, which lasts an entire year. The film was realized using the unique and challenging paint-on-glass technique of animation. "The Crossing" is co-production by Les Films de l’Arlequin (France) and Dresden-based Balance Film, MAUR Film (Czech Republic) and MDR/Arte (German and German/French TV networks, respectively) and has been co-funded by MDM, FFA/Mini-Traité, DFFF (German Federal Film Fund), and Eurimages.

In addition, two more MDM-funded films screened in Annecy: Out of competition, "Coppelia", an enchanting cross of live-action ballet and animated film, co-directed by Jeff Tudor, Steven de Beul, and Ben Tesseur, had its world premiere. Among the producers was MotionWorks, based in Halle (on Saale). Moreover, the VR narrative experience "Biolum" by Abel Kohen screened in the VR Works Competition.