Anifilm to Focus on Manipulated Puppets

We decided to explore this long-considered theme this year to coincide with the premiere of the anticipated film Big Man, the sequel to Little Man from 2015. Both films are typical examples of this technique in our film industry and along with other short and feature films, prove that this phenomenon is very much alive. This year’s festival offers an insight into this marginal and sometimes overlooked genre which has spawned many iconic films and rarities during this and the previous century. We will also pay tribute to Gerry and Sylvia Anderson: in addition to a lecture by Scottish expert Ben Page, Anifilm offers previews of three of their most important series. We will screen two blocks of short films and explore the work of Dresden-based studio DEFA. Last but not least, Anifilm visitors can look forward to eight feature films including a midnight screening of Team America: World Police, the world premiere of Televize Estráda's Rally, iconic Scandivanian Puppets and the impressive fantasy Dark Crystal. The festival theme will naturally be reflected in our children programme Animo – children can look forward to Fireflies, Spejbl and Hurvínek, and the programme TvMiniUni. The programme is expanded by the exhibition Beyond the Boundaries of Animation: Manipulated Puppets in Czech Filmmaking hosted by the North Bohemian Museum in Liberec.