Iran’s Tehranto Animation will be participating in the Golden Cookers of the 16th International Animation Film Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria from May 7th to 11th.
Written and directed by Ali Masoumi and “The Alchemist Apprentice” by Elfan Parsapur are Iranian works shown at Bulgarian events, Irna reported.
Produced by the Documentary and Experimental Film Centre (DEFC), “Bugs” depicts the family of three who have recently moved, and the little girl inspects the new home with curiosity when a little cricket finds her way into their home as a surprise visitor. However, the father’s unexpected response begins to change the child’s perspective, making easy encounters much more unsettling.
The 2024 production of 6-minute animation examines the lasting effects of parental behavior and responses on child development and tracks the long-term effects of these interactions from infancy to adulthood.
The technique used to create animations is a multi-plane camera. It involves stacking 3-6 layers of glass on overlapping surfaces, but the camera is placed at the top to create a sense of depth and perspective. The character animation uses interchangeable surfaces, with multiple face designs created in various sizes to accommodate long, close-up and medium shots. All materials are natural, including wood, fabric and soil.
“The Alchemist’s Apprentice” is a 2D animated film about a young alchemy apprentice who carefully tries to revise the creation of the master.
In a short 7-minute animation, young apprentices to the alchemist must always ask for permission before touching or using anything in the lab. However, when a small frog appears unexpectedly, the precious work of the alchemist is suddenly put in danger. The boy is in a hurry to prevent damage from occurring.
The short work is based on an animated series about Charluz, a curious alchemist apprentice boy who is on a strange adventure with his master, Hakim. On their journey, they try to get the Elixir of Life. One more dangerous adventure to come will save them: Alchemy!
The Golden Kuker International Animation Film Festival was first run in Sofia in 2010. It is organized by the Bulgarian Independent Artists Association and NGO cartoon animators. The association aims to connect animators, support networking, and build long-lasting relationships within the manga industry.
The festival is committed to the development of Bulgarian art, and seeks to help Bulgarian and foreign animators get in touch and support young professionals and students. It attracts not only children, but also large audiences of different generations.
SS/SAB