'Iti Mapukpukaw' bags best feature in Polish fest

A still from ‘Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)’ INSTAGRAM PHOTO/THEMISSINGPH2023

Award-winning Filipino rotoscope animated film "Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)" won Best Feature Film at the 17th International Animated Festival (IAFF) Animator held in Poznan, Poland from June 25 to 30.

Project 8, the production company behind the film, shared the good news on its Instagram account, and called this success a "big win for Filipino animators."

Written and directed by Carl Joseph Papa, the story revolves around Eric, a mouthless young animator whose life and memories will be untangled when an alien returns to take him.

The rotoscope animation technique incorporated in "Iti Mapukpukaw" enhanced its uniqueness and creative appeal, further enhancing its rich story and direction which greatly impressed the world stage.

The film stars Carlo Aquino, Dolly De Leon, and Gio Gahol.

"Iti Mapukpukaw" competed under the International Full-Length category, winning over "Pelikan Blue," an animated documentary by Hungarian director László Csáki.

On the other hand, Izabela Plucinska's "Joko" took home the Grand Prix or Golden Pegasus Award in the International Short Film Competition, qualifying for the annual selection of Academy Awards in the Animated Short Film category.

The Silver Pegasus Award was given to Morten Tšinako and Lucija Mrzljak's "Eeva", while "Zima" by Kasumi Ozeki and Tomek Popakul bagged the Bronze Pegasus.

Critically acclaimed "Iti Mapukpukaw" has won several film awards and nominations, recently in the 47th Gawad Urian Awards where it took home the Best Picture, Best Sound and Best Animation awards.

It was the Philippines' official entry to the 96th Academy Awards under the Best International Feature Film category, however, it failed to make it to the shortlist.

IAFF Animator is Poland's largest and only animated film festival that has received Oscar-qualifying status from the American Film Academy, meaning that a short film that wins the Festival's Grand Prix, the Golden Pegasus, is on the fast route to being nominated for the prestigious Academy Award.

They have also captured the interest of film industry experts from all over the globe for the last 16 years, helping artists share their artistic knowledge with the world and promote innovations in animation.