The 9th Tehran International Animation Festival was held from March 8 to 12. Over 130 works from across the globe were screened at the event.
German animation “Virtuoso Virtual” directed by Thomas Stellmach and Maja Oschmann has won the top prize in the International section of the 9th Tehran International Animation Festival, the organizers announced on Thursday.
“Virtuoso Virtual” shows some modest drawings that seem to come from nowhere. Following a secret choreography, they take on characteristics and moods of the music and narrate a story that appears to be laid out in the music.
The second prize went “All the Winters I Haven’t Seen”, Iranian animator Omid Khoshnazar’s acclaimed anti-war animation.
It tells the story of a pregnant woman in New York City who discovers that her fetus suffers severe physical defects. Totally unaware of the problem, the mother finds that she has been exposed to chemical weapons, a matter entirely absent from her medical records.
“Coda” directed by Irish animator Alan Holly received the third prize. “Coda” is about the afterlife. It shows some exotic experiences and the possibility of forgiveness.
Iranian animator and writer Mehdi Alibeygi was presented with the special jury award for his surreal short film “Changeover”.
“My Mom Is an Airplane” directed by Yulia Aronova from Russia was crowned best film in the About Children Section.
| Award | Title | Winner | Country | |
| 1 | Golden Statue for the best animation | Virtuoso Virtual | Thomas Stellmach and Maja Oschmann | Germany |
| 2 | Silver Statue for the second animation | All winters that I haven’t seen | Omid Khoshnazar | Iran |
| 3 | Bronze Statue for the third animation | Coda | Alan Holly | Ireland |
| 4 | Golden Statue for the best animation on the theme of children and young adults | My Mum Is an Airplane | Yulia Aronova | Russia |
| 5 | Golden Statue for the best student animation | Carn | Jeff Le Bars | France |
| 6 | Golden Statue for the best TV production | Kung Fu Bunny (Kitchen War) | Zhiyong Li | China |
| 7 | Golden Statue for the best commercial animation | Venice / Massi | Simone Icaro Massi | Italy |
| 8 | Special Statue of the jury | Change over | Mahdi Alibeigi | Iran |
| 9 | Special Statue of the director of the festival | —- | Alexander Petrov | Russia |
| 10 | Honorary diploma | Green Fields | Benjamin Vedrenne | France |
| 11 | Honorary diploma | Indah Citra | Pierre-Antoine Naline, Sarah Feruglio, Maxime Orhnial, Anthony Oliveira | France |
Sources: Payvand News, Tehran International Animation Festival, TIAF | Photos
The other Iran 