Edmunds Jansons’ “Freeride in C” Wins Grand Prix at Fredrikstad Animation Festival 2024
The Fredrikstad Animation Festival 2024, held in Fredrikstad, Norway, concluded with a ceremony honoring the year’s best animated works. Showcasing talent from the Nordic-Baltic region and beyond, this year’s festival highlighted the diversity and innovation shaping the animation industry.
Edmunds Jansons’ "Freeride in C" claimed the prestigious Grand Prix. The Latvian director’s film was praised for its rhythmic narrative and homage to abstract animation. Jury members highlighted its seamless blend of visuals, music, and sound.
The award for Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Feature Film went to Gints Zilbalodis for "Flow," a Latvian-French-Belgian co-production. This poignant tale of resilience and friendship, conveyed entirely without dialogue, captivated audiences with its vivid animation and universal message.
Carolina Sandvik’s "The Lovers" won Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Short Film. The Swedish film was commended for its visceral exploration of modern relationships, showcasing both the beauty and horror of intimacy.
The Global Animated Short Film Award was presented to Nina Gantz for "Wander to Wonder," a Dutch film lauded for its surreal take on media nostalgia and its meticulous technical execution.
Among the winners in the youth and children’s categories, "Maybe Elephants" by Torill Kove was named Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Youth Film, while Ignas Meilūnas’ "Hoofs on Skates" from Lithuania won Best Animated Children’s Film. The jury appreciated their emotional depth and creative storytelling.
Student filmmakers were also celebrated, with Ditte Lindroth and Anna Furenmo’s Swedish short "The Rip" winning Best Nordic-Baltic Student Film. The film earned additional recognition as a Special Mention in the Youth category for its poignant yet hopeful narrative.
Special mentions went to "Vera in Dorni Valley" by Noah A. Hall and "Slomosa - Cabin Fever" by Andreas Emil Lund for their creative achievements.
Finally, Øyvind Tangseth’s "Dead Weight" secured the Audience Award, reflecting the film’s widespread appeal.
Complete List of Winners – Fredrikstad Animation Festival 2024
Grand Prix
- "Freeride in C" / Edmunds Jansons / Latvia / 2024
Audience Award
- "Dead Weight" / Øyvind Tangseth / Norway / 2024
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Feature Film
- "Flow" / Gints Zilbalodis / Latvia, France, Belgium / 2024
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Short Film
- "The Lovers" / Carolina Sandvik / Sweden / 2023
Best Global Animated Short Film
- "Wander to Wonder" / Nina Gantz / Netherlands / 2023
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Commissioned Film
- "Mayfly Vienna" / Sam Gainsborough / Norway, England / 2024
Special Mention – Commissioned Film
- "Slomosa - Cabin Fever" / Andreas Emil Lund / Norway / 2023
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Student Film
- "The Rip" / Ditte Lindroth, Anna Furenmo / Sweden / 2023
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Youth Film
- "Maybe Elephants" / Torill Kove / Norway, Canada / 2024
Special Mention – Youth Film
- "The Rip" / Ditte Lindroth, Anna Furenmo / Sweden / 2023
Best Nordic-Baltic Animated Children's Film
- "Hoofs on Skates" / Ignas Meilūnas / Lithuania / 2024
Special Mention – Children's Film
- "Vera in Dorni Valley" / Noah A. Hall / Sweden / 2024