A Bear Named Wojtek
| A Bear Named Wojtek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Iain Gardner |
| Written by | Wojciech Lepianka |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Edited by |
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| Music by | Normand Roger |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 28 minutes |
| Countries | |
| Language | English |
A Bear Named Wojtek is a 2023 Scottish-Polish animated short film directed by Iain Gardner.[2] The 28-minute animated film about the true story[3] of Wojtek, the war bear,[4] has been selected in various international film festivals, including the Annecy International Animation Film Festival[5] and the Manchester Animation Film Festival.[6] It also won a British Animation Award for Best Long Form Animation[7] as well as a Venice TV Award for Best Animation. The film was first broadcast on BBC Alba on the 8th May 2024.[8]
Plot
[edit]A Bear Named Wojtek brings to life the extraordinary true story of a Syrian brown bear adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II. This half-hour animated short follows Wojtek from the Persian Desert to the Battle of Monte Cassino, where he becomes both a soldier and a symbol of resilience. As the soldiers forge an unbreakable bond with Wojtek, the film explores themes of friendship, identity, and the search for belonging in times of upheaval.
Release
[edit]Since its release, the film has been selected in various festivals around the world:
| Year | Festivals | Award/Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival | Best Animated Short[9] | Nominated |
| Manchester Animation Film Festival | British Animated Short Film Award[10] | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Annecy International Animation Film Festival | Competition - Best Television Film[11] | Nominated |
| Venice TV Awards | Best Animation[12] | Won | |
| Animasyros | TV & Commissioned Films Competition Section[13] | Nominated | |
| British Animation Award | Best Long Form Animation[14] | Won | |
| Portland Festival of Cinema Animation & Technology | Best Score in a Short Animation[15] | Won | |
| Spokane International Film Festival | Audience Award for Best Animated Short[16] | Won | |
| Animayo International Film Festival of Animation | International Film[17] | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "'A Bear Named Wojtek' Trailer Brings Incredible True Story to Attention". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Scotland, Screen (2024-05-08). "BBC ALBA shares the epic journey of A Bear Named Wojtek in exclusive VE Day premiere". Screen Scotland. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ "'A Bear Named Wojtek' trailer brings heartfelt true story to life -". www.animationxpress.com. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ Howard, Harry (2021-10-22). "Work begins on animated film telling true story of WWII bear Wojtek". Mail Online. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin. "'A Bear Named Wojtek' Director Iain Gardner Discusses His Lovingly Crafted Annecy-Selected Project". www.animationmagazine.net. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ "A Bear Named Wojtek". Manchester Animation Festival. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "A Bear Named Wojtek / Mog's Christmas". British Animation Awards. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ "BBC ALBA - Mathan Leis an Ainm Wojtek/A Bear named Wojtek". BBC. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "Illuminated Film Shares 'A Bear Named Wojtek' Trailer". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ "British Animated Short Film Award". Manchester Animation Festival. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ "Film d'animation catégorie Films de télévision : Un ours nommé Wojtek | Annecy Festival". www.annecyfestival.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Winners 2024". Venice TV Award (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "ANIMASYROS powered by PPC 2024 – Official Selection". animasyros.gr. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "2024 Archives". British Animation Awards. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ "Awards - Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology". 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ "Animayo | Summit, Conference and International Film Festival of Animation, Visual Effects and Video Games". www.animayo.com. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
External links
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