Animation Is Film Crowns 'The Breadwinner' and 'The Big Bad Fox'

The inaugural Animation Is Film festival took place in LA over the weekend and by all accounts was a rousing success (read Jill's write up of the event here). Showcasing the best in animation from around the globe, it also featured a competition, with recipients picked out by both a specially selected jury and the audience.

12 features played in competition for the festival's debut year.  Nora Twomey and Cartoon Saloon's The Breadwinner was the big winner, taking home both the Grand Prize and the Audience Award. The Special Jury Prize was given to Benjamin Renner and Patrick Imbert's The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales.

"The Breadwinner is not just an incredibly important film, but one that reminds us of the power of animation to communicate serious issues in the world," said Jury chair Peter Debruge." Transforming hardship into a warm and moving story, the movie represents a triumph by its director, Nora Twomey, in terms of script, voice acting, design, music and editing. The films in competition this year illustrated the many techniques and possibilities of animation, but  The Breadwinner was a clear favourite among our jury. Special Jury Prize goes to The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales a comedy that celebrates the joys of traditional cartoon animation."

The full AIF jury was made up of:

•  Peter Debruge (Chief Film Critic, Variety, Jury Chair)
•  Allison Abbate ( EVP Theatrical Animation, Warner Brothers Pictures,)
•  Bonnie Arnold ( DreamWorks Animation, Producer -Toy Story, How to Train Your Dragon)

•  Brenda Chapman (Director, Brave)

•  Carolyn Giardina (Tech Editor, Hollywood Reporter)
•  Jorge R. Gutiérrez (Director, Book of Life)
•  Charles Solomon (Film Critic and Historian)
•  Mable Tam (Head film buyer, Landmark Cinemas)

•  Anne Thompson (Editor-At-Large, IndieWire)


The Breadwinner will be released in cinemas in the United States by GKIDS Films on November 17, with Big Bad Fox following in February 2018. Both films will be released in the UK by StudioCanal during 2018.