Blink in the Desert by Shinobu Soejima, Tank Fairy by Erich Rettstadt, and Red Funeral by Jane Zhang, won three awards at the 68th International Short Film Festival Oberhausen that took place in cinemas and online from April 30th until May 9th, 2022.

Special Mention at the Prize of the Ecumenical Online Jury

Malice comes up abruptly. As if it is blinking. Capricious like a flapping insect. One day a young hermit finds a winged insect and crushes it out of disgust. Meanwhile, the elephant sees the whole situation but says nothing. From that day on, the boy is chased by shadows of the winged insects.

Statement from the Jury:
For the film’s inclusive use of animated characters of humans, animals, and insects told through poetic visual composition and sound, with almost no dialogue, Blink in the Desert reflects on human aggression and indifference adopted to destroy what we do not know or understand and giving rise to agony on all sides. The film is an internal call for peace and progress, empathy and compassion, and the accommodation of differences.

Trailer:

Special Mention at Promotional Prize of the Children’s Jury – International Children’s and Youth Film Competition

Once upon a time, the magical Tank Fairy delivered tanks of gas (with plenty of sass) to the home of young Jojo, a lonely dreamer in need of a glittery godmother…

Statement from the Jury:
We thought the film was very very funny. We also loved the music. We liked it that the film shows that you can be whoever you want.

Trailer:

Special Mention at Prize of the Youth Jury – International Children’s and Youth Film Competition

Bai Lu, a 12-year-old girl in a small village in China, is forbidden to attend her beloved grandmother’s funeral as she is experiencing her first period. Bai Lu does not understand why her menstruation is considered ‘ritually unclean’. She tries to bid farewell to her grandmother in one final journey to pay homage.

Statement from the Jury:
We believe that the subject of the film is very important and will appeal to children and adolescents from the age of 12. We liked the way it was made, since there are many details, metaphors and symbols in it.