Shanta Jethoe wins Animatie Wildcard (Animation Wildcard) 2016

Shanta Jethoe, who graduated this summer from Animation Design, has won the Animation Wildcard 2016 from the Nederlands Film Fonds (The Netherlands Film Fund) with her film ‘Opia’. The prize was €40,000. The film contains a story with a subject that is painfully current: racism. In a short narrative, this major subject is intrusively represented.

The jury's comments: The film has a beautiful graphic style and the film-maker has utilised all elements of filmmaking to build up tension and tell a heartbreaking story that was unexpected.The design, timing, camera work, music and story structure are original and effective. The long shot over the pavement that emphasises the distance between the children as a well as the courage needed to bridge the gap is an excellent example of this.

The Netherlands Film Fund has been awarding Wildcards for nine years and selected the winners from all submitted final project films this year.

The Film Fund Wildcards are an encouragement award from the Netherlands Film Fund for young, talented film-makers who have just graduated from film or art school. The winners receive the opportunity to make a new film without restrictions and under the guidance of a producer and coach. To this end, the Fund wants to encourage the development of new talent so that they can take their first steps in the professional world. The films will be premièred at the new edition of het Nederlands Film Festival (The Netherlands Film Festival).