Animation Is Film Awards 'Little Amélie', 'Decorado', 'Eiru' and More

 

The Animation Is Film Festival brings the best in international animation to the heart of Hollywood every year. And each festival concludes with the announcement of the award winners. This year's festival took place last weekend, and the winners have been announced.

Competing for the top prizes this year was All You Need Is Kill, Arco, Chao, Decorado, I Am Frankelda, Lesbian Space Princess, Little Amélie Or The Character Of Rain, Nobody, Scarlet and A Story About Fire, plus a selection of shorts.

The winner of the Grand Prize, selected by the Jury, was Little Amélie Or The Character Of Rain. The features Jury said: “Showing us the world from the perspective of a toddler, ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain‘ portrays the wonders and pains of being alive like poignant revelations. As it finds whimsy in the everyday through its dazzling style, the film also grapples with the complexity of two cultures clashing, connecting, and simultaneously shaping the young protagonist’s nascent identity.” The film will be released in North American cinemas by GKIDS Films from October 31.

The Fumi Kitahara Special Jury Prize was awarded to Decorado. During the Festival's opening night, festival director Matt Kaszanek announced the award's renaming in honour of beloved publicist Fumi Kitahara, who passed away in February. 

“Fumi devoted her professional career to championing animators and was one of the earliest and most vocal supporters of Animation Is Film and its mission. While there is a tremendous sadness at her not being at AIF this year, we take comfort in knowing that we’re about to spend the weekend doing what she would’ve wanted for us — coming together as a community in celebration of great animation,” Kaszanek said.

The Jury said of Decorado “Set in a dystopian reality where authoritarian forces control every aspect of the individual’s life, Decorado cleverly explores how we adapt and push back against accepted normalcy. Though it unflinchingly tackles timely and mature sociopolitical themes, it does so through satirical humour and fantastical characters — including the protagonist couple, Arnold and Maria — making it a wholly unexpected experience.”

The Audience Award was given to Arco, directed by Ugo Bienvenu. Described as an inventive, tender time-travel adventure, Bienvenu's feature turned out to be a real crowd-pleaser.

The Shorts Jury Grand Prize was awarded to Gigi, directed by Cynthia Calvi. The short is described by the Jury as “a deeply intimate, conversational chronicle of the title character’s gender transition. Gigi’s strong visual metaphors ably enrich a story of inherent personal authenticity. It is a film that works on every level.”

The Special Jury Prize in shorts was awarded to Giovanna Ferrari and Cartoon Saloon's Eiru. The Jury said “With visually stunning use of light and colour, this rousing adventure set in ancient Ireland unfolds as a tale of mortal courage and divine reckoning, elevated by its breathtaking technical execution.” The short will be playing in North American cinemas accompanying the release of Little Amélie.

“Animation Is Film offers its sincerest congratulations to all of the filmmakers who participated in this most recent edition,” Kaszanek said in a statement. “The 2025 Festival experienced record-shattering numbers in terms of attendance. This doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Thank you to the filmmakers, the audiences, the festival sponsors and community partners for celebrating the art of animation.”

The Feature Critics Jury this year included film critic Carlos Aguilar, comedian, musician, director and actor Jemaine Clement and Oscar-winning Norway-born, Montreal-based filmmaker Torill Kove.

The Shorts Jury comprised of artist and educator Hsiang Chin Moe, Cartoon Brew owner and editor-in-chief Jamie Lang, and Amphibia creator Matt Braly.

Animation Is Film will return in October 2026.

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