Italian animator Gianluigi Toccafondo to receive Animation Master Award at Animac 2025 in Lleida
The 29th edition of Animac, the International Animation Film Festival of Catalonia, will honor Italian director and animator Gianluigi Toccafondo with its prestigious Animation Master Award. The event, organized by the Lleida City Council, will take place from February 20 to 23, 2025, in Lleida, Spain.
Toccafondo, born in Italy in 1965, is renowned for his singular artistic style that blends painting, cinema, and movement. His fluid and dynamic visual language, achieved through a mix of hand-painted techniques, image manipulation, and digital editing, has positioned him as a leading figure in contemporary animation.
As part of the tribute, Animac will present a retrospective of Toccafondo’s most celebrated works. This includes films such as “La voix des sirènes” (2024), “Pinocchio” (1999), and “La Pista” (1991), offering audiences a chance to experience his unique visual universe. Additionally, Toccafondo will lead a masterclass, sharing insights into his creative process with students and professionals in the industry.
Beyond his filmography, Toccafondo’s career spans collaborations with prominent institutions like RAI and iconic brands such as Prada and Ferrari. Notably, he designed the opening credits for Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” (2024) and previously crafted the logo for Scott’s production company, Scott Free.
This year’s Animac program will revolve around the theme “We Animals,” exploring the connection between humans and animals through curated film screenings, workshops, and discussions. Highlights include newly released short and feature-length films, as well as professional development opportunities like the Animac Pro space, which features initiatives such as the Incubator, Animacrea, and Animac Campus.