인디펜던스의 『트리로보』가 지난 19일 영국의 권위있는 애니메이션 페스티벌 BAF(Bradford Animation Festival) 2005에서 영예의 그랑프리를 수상했다.

Best Professional Film 부문 5개 작품 가운데 하나로 선정되어 페스티벌 기간 동안 상영되었던 『트리로보』는 픽쳐빌 씨네마(Pictureville Cinema)에서 거행된 시상식에서 모든 부문의 작품 가운데 최고의 단 한 작품을 뽑는 그랑프리를 수상하는 영예를 안았다.

인디펜던스 박영민 본부장은 "일본 아이치 엑스포 한국관에서 상영할 때 많은 일본인들로부터 호평을 받은 데 이어 유럽의 권위있는 애니메이션 페스티벌에서도 그랑프리가 수여돼 제작에 참여한 인디펜던스 임직원 모두 기뻐하고 있다"고 설명한 뒤 "이는 우리 애니메이션이 세계에도 통할 수 있음을 증명하는 의미있는 일이라고 생각한다"고 이번 수상의 의의를 밝혔다.

이번 BAF2005에는 전세계에서 응모한 750개가 넘는 작품들이 경합을 벌였으며, 이 가운데 6개 분야 30개 작품이 선정되어 페스티벌 기간 동안 상영되었다. 분야는 Best Non-Professional Film, Best Professional Film, Best Promotional and Commercial Film, Best TV Series, Best Film for Children, Best Web Animation 등으로 나눠진다.

아래는 BAF2005 수상작들과 그 내용이다.
(동영상은 BAF2005 웹사이트에서 확인할 수 있다. http://www.nmpft.org.uk/baf/2005/selection_clips.asp).

Grand Prix (overall winner)
『Tree Robo - Dir, Moon-Saeng Kim』
In a distant future a giant robot communes peacefully with nature, before being drafted in for war.
"it was brilliant in both content and creativity"

Best Non-Professional Film
『Death By Heart - Dir, Malin Erixon』
A man wants to tell his friend something very important before it's too late, but there seems to always be something that interrupts him…
"for its minimalist animation and subtle humour"

Best Professional Film
『Learn Self Defence - Dir, Chris Harding』
After being brutally attacked in an alley, George decides he must learn to protect himself. A cocksure narrator walks him through five practical lessons of self-defence, perfect for the citizen on the go - or nation-state on the rampage!
"a witty story excellently animated which although in UPA style never looked old fashioned"

Best Promotional and Commercial Film
『Prudence 'A Tort ou a Raison' - Dir, Joris Clerte, Phillippe Massonnet』
Three people talk around a restaurant table.
"for it's originality of idea and realisation"

Best TV Series
『Peppa Pig: Mummy Pig at Work - Dir, Mark Baker, Neville Ashley』
Peppa is a loveable, cheeky little piggy who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Peppa's favourite activities include playing games, dressing up, days out and jumping in muddy puddles. Her adventures always end happily with loud snorts of laughter.
"it is about a happy family, using simple and stylish graphics that appeal to all ages"

Best Film for Children
『Fritz Gets Rich - Dir, Eddie White, James Calvert』
When Fritz's tooth falls out he wakes to find a shiny one-dollar coin beside his bed. Fritz's first encounter with money ignites his entrepreneurial spirit, and from that moment on everything changes. He quickly spirals into a life of dark and twisted money making ventures, where nothing is safe from being sold... even his own emotions. Fritz is a dark and comic cautionary tale warning of the dangers of consumerism and entrepreneurial greed.
"for it's excellent storyline of extreme greed and it's consequences"

Best Web Animation
『Polsupah - Dir, Aleksander Wasilewski』
A commercial for a product that will fulfil every modern housewife's dream. As voted for by online audiences of the www.baf.org.uk website with 44 % of the votes

Special Jury Prize (highly commended)
『Revenge of the Brick - Dir, Royce Graham』
A mini movie parody staring the new Lego Star Wars characters. "for sheer technical brilliance"

Audience Award
『Learn Self Defence - Dir, Chris Harding』
As voted for by festival goers.