CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF MONSTRA Monstra Animation Festival always has many wonderful surprises for its audiences, but this year it outdid itself.Along with excellent film programs, the festival, in conjunction with the Marionette Museum, organizes a special exhibition each year.What an exhibition it is this year! The excibition, LAIKA FRAME X FRAME showcases the boundaries of stop motion, highlighting the art and science behind the studio’s epic films.
Founded in 2005 in Portland, Oregon, to date, Laika has created five feature films: (2009), (2012), (2014), (2016), and (2019).All five of these films have been nominated for the Oscar.won a BAFTA for Best Animated Film and was nominated for an Oscar for Visual Effects.
took home a Golden Globe for Best Animated Film.The studio received a Scientific and Technology Oscar in 2016 for its innovations in the field of animation.From the moment I set foot in the exhibition, I was transported to another world as I entered Coraline’s Other Garden, complete with the handcrafted flowers all aglow.
Each of the five films featured a recreation of a key frame.Accompanying that were puppets, face replacements, artifacts, props, and story boards for each film.Over 600 artifacts in all, many in specially designed pull-out drawers below the main exhibits.
LAIKA’s current project is based on a novel by Colin Meloy.It is their first fantasy adventure set in the natural beauty of the forests around LAIK’s hometown of Portland, Oregon.According to LAIKA's website, the film is “a tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets and the magic you can find on your doorstep, if you are willing to look for it.” is slated for release later this year.
LAIKA produced the beautiful exhibition LAIKA FRAME x FRAME in co-operation with the British Film Institute (BFI) where it was on display before coming to Lisbon.It will be at the Marionette Museum until 11 May.If you are anywhere near Lisbon, don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to see magnificent work from a top-notch studio.
I could have spent all day looking at it and reading the wealth of information that accompanies each display. The Museum itself is also a real treasure with a vast collection of puppets and marionettes from throughout the world.Located in the former Convento das Bernardas, the museum is worth a visit any time to see their permanent collection.
Another Lisbon treasure is the Cinemateca Portuguesa.Founded in 1948, it contains an impressive collection of antique cameras, projectors, and other film making equipment in its museum.In 1954, the Cinemateca added fire proof, air conditioned film storage vaults which are home to more than 21,700 films.
They include feature and short films of all different genres, which are screened regularly in their single-screen art house cinema.There is also a beautiful rooftop café with a large outdoor seating area where the noise of the city streets is forgotten and a well-stocked bookstore.The Cinemateca also has a three-room exhibition space across from the café.
In conjunction with Monstra, the exhibition featured artwork from the Porto-based Cola Animation Collective.The exhibition showcases many of the collective’s award-winning works.by Bruno Caetano features meticulously constructed puppets and sets to tell a story about a simple man who lives in a city where nature has been forbidden.
A small crime by him triggers a chain of unexpected consequences.I also had seen an exhibit of the sets and puppets from this film several years ago at the Puppet Museum, and the details on the sets were amazing.There is also a video of Joao Gonzalez talking about the making of his 2023 Oscar-nominated short film THE collective’s first feature film was ( The hour-and-a-half film finds Bruno in the hospital in a coma after an automobile accident.
While his friends try to wake hm up, Bruno relives five different Christmases from five different times in his life that remind him why he hates Christmas so much.The exhibition also features stills from music videos, puppets from stop motion projects, stills and making of images from Cola’s impressive catalogue of films, along with a video of their film trailers and making of videos.Cola Collective has an internship program and films by students who have participated in the program from 2022 to 2024 were showcased.
I thoroughly enjoyed the beautifully presented exhibition, which offers an opportunity to get a preview of what members of the collective are working on now.It runs until 3 May so you still have time to visit it, and while you are there, be sure to check out the other treasures that the Cinemateca has to offer and then treat yourself to a delicious, reasonably priced meal at the café.Along with stunning exhibitions there were also wonderful films to watch.
A new film by Priit and Olga Parn is always a special treat; their new is no exception.As with Priit’s 2008 the new film is also set in Italy.The Estonian/French co-production is a comedy about the Italian Mafia, surveillance, who gets noticed and who doesn’t, and since it is set in Italy, love also comes into the picture.
At the same time, it deals with the very timely topic of terrorism.The 32-minute film was created using motion capture.The actors, equipped with motion sensors, had their movements recorded on computers as 3D puppets, which were then used as source material for 2D drawings of the characters.
Although this technique has been used for animated films in other countries, MoCap, as it is known, is new to Scandinavian and Baltic animation production.definitely needs to be watched in a theatre on a big screen, preferably two or three times to catch all of the details.There is no doubt that Priit is a living legend in the world of animation, and at Monstra this year, he was awarded a Career Award to add to his numerous other honors from festivals and organizations from around the world.
I have been a fan of the Quay Brothers, Stephen and Timothy, work ever since I first saw in 1986.Their films are always complex, haunting, and surreal.They leave you thinking, often puzzled, but never bored.
At Monstra, I watched their new feature film, and I wasn’t disappointed.Although the twin brothers have been kept busy making short films and designing sets for operas, ballets, and theatrical productions, is their first feature-length film in twenty years.When they began work on the film nineteen years ago, there was no budget for the project, so they worked on it between making their short films and other work.
In 2020, at long last, the British Film Institute and Polish television finally became interested in the project.The 76-minute film is an adaption of a 1937 book by Polish writer Bruno Schulz, who was killed in 1941 by a German SS officer.The film blends stop motion with live action and muted colors.
The Brothers have occasionally used human figures in their films before.For this film, they said that they decided to mix puppets and actors because “we definitely wanted two parallel universes”.The story opens with a son, Jozef, going to visit his dying father in a remote Galician sanatorium.
He boards a ghostly train on an abandoned line.Upon arrival at the sanatorium, Jozef finds the building decayed, morbid, and run by a dubious doctor.The film becomes a floating world halfway between sleep and reality.
There are several fathers as well as several Jozefs.In the end, one dies and one gets on a train that never arrives anywhere, or at least that is what I think that I saw.has a dreamlike or maybe nightmarish quality about it. I was mesmerized and couldn’t take my eyes off of the screen.
I am still thinking about the film.A young friend said to Nik and me as we were walking out of the theatre, “I’m not sure what I just saw”.I think that this is the reaction many people have to their first encounter with the surreal world of the Quay Brothers.
Festival Director Fernando Galrito is a busy man.After 10 days of festival in Lisbon, Monstrinha takes film programs into schools and remote villages where young people would not ordinarily be exposed to quality films and workshop especially geared to their grade level.It has even traveled as far afield as South America.
Somehow, Galrito and Bulgarian animator Radostina Neykova found enough time to make a handmade watercolor animated film.Many young adolescents, especially boys, hate being kissed by their relatives, and their film, depicts that.Anytime anyone kissed him, he would immediately erase the kiss.
But what happens if every time someone kisses you, that you forget it? You slowly start to lose your color and live in an unhappy, colorless world.The boy could only get his color back when he discovered human warmth, love, and true friendship.The 13-minute film is a very sweet coming-of-age story, a gentle reminder to all of us to appreciate our friends and loved ones.
Unfortunately, I was not at the festival on opening night when the film screened but Radostina and Galrito kindly sent me a copy to watch at home.The very sweet film, which can be enjoyed by entire family, made me smile.Animation historian and President of ASIFA San Francisco (Association Internationale du Film d’ Animation) Karl Cohen is an expert on World War ll propaganda cartoons Unfortunately, he could not travel to Lisbon, but he presented an introduction to his program, to a packed theatre audience via Zoom.
Karl told the audience that prior to World War ll, propaganda animation was uncommon.In 1939, at the beginning of the war, MGM (Metro-Golden-Mayer) Studio made a Christmas film called It begins as a sweet holiday film but ends up warning the audience about the dangers of war.If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating topic, you can watch many propaganda animated films from throughout the world on the internet.
For instance, in London, Halas and Batchelor Studio made numerous propaganda films that were shown to soldiers as well as the general public.Russian and German propaganda films are also readily findable on the internet.The festival organized a lovely book presentation and signing for me and my book .
I had the honor to be interviewed by Portuguese journalist and a good friend, Eliane Gordeeff.Eliane knows how to conduct a good interview and keep it flowing.There were many excellent questions and comments from the audience as well.
It was the first appearance of Nik and me in brand new t-shirts that Joanna Quinn made for us.Joanna created the beautiful front and back covers for my book, and the t-shirts have the front and back cover images on them.Thank you, Joanna! Austria was the featured country this year at the festival.
Austrian Animator and Secretary General of ASIFA International Thomas Renoldner curated eight programs.Each one covered a specific area of Austrian animation, such as experimental animation, which Austria is particularly noted for.Other programs featured contemporary animation, and music-driven films.
Programs featuring narrative films and ones using new techniques were also screened.An entire program was devoted to the work of Austrian animator and artist Maria Lassnig’s work.I was first introduced to her work during a Women In Animation Festival where they screened a documentary about her and several of her films.
I find her films and painted self-portraits fascinating and ahead of their time.Her work was underappreciated at the time of her death in 2014 at the age of 94, but she is now recognized as one of the most important post-war painters.Many of her films are based upon her exploration of her psyche and/or physical body.
(1971) is a perfect example of this theme.In the film, she engages in a monologue to explore the moods, fears, and thoughts of her life story.Maria Lassnig has left a strong body of film and paintings that are worth exploring.
The Austrian screenings also included a retrospective of Thomas Renoldner’s experimental films.Another program focused on dancer-turned-filmmaker Paul Wenninger.If you have never visited Casa Museu de Vilar, presided over by Abi Feijo and Regina Pessoa, you must not miss it on your next visit to Portugal.
Located in Lousada, about 45 minutes from Porto, the museum is divided into three rooms.The first one is dedicated to Abi’s impressive collection of early magic lantern slides, a beautiful magic lantern projector, and other early forms of projection used to bring images to life.The second room is dedicated to films by Regina and Abi, while a third room contains mementos and artwork from international animated films.
My particular favorite piece in that room is a puppet of Madam Tutli-Putli from the film of the same name.There is also a library and areas for educational and cultural activities.Visits to the museum are by appointment.
You can contact Casa Museu de Vilar at: cacamuseudevilar.org At the festival, there was an opportunity to see one of Abi’s two presentations of at the National Museum of Natural History and ScienceDuring the performances, he recreated an optical theatre, as well as served as projectionist as he guided the audience on a journey through some of his collection of magic lantern slides and projectors.The Optical Theatre is an instrument that combines the Praxinoscope with magic launtern projectors.It was invented by Emile Reynaud for use in his Pantomimes Lumineuses performances in the late 19th century.
Lisbon is a magical city to visit.Cable cars take you up and down the seven hills of the city, delicious food is on offer, and a museum to fit everyone’s interests is sure to be found.In the city’s nine public markets, you will find fresh and prepared foods as well as fresh and dried chili peppers and dried beans, which I always bring home with me.
The oldest and largest public market is The Marcado da Ribeira.The first references to it go all the way back to approximately 1100.There are also several flea markets in Lisbon.
My favorite is Feira da Ladra.It is Lisbon’s oldest flea market, dating back to the 12th century.It is open on Tuesday and Saturday, but be sure to get there early because you will do a lot of walking and even though it is open until 18h00, many vendors pack up around 14h00.
There are cafés for a leisurely beer or coffee and a reasonably priced meal while you watch the world go by.It is quite amazing to see what some people have bought that day.Located at Campo da Santa Clara, the flea market can be reached by Tram 28 or the Santa Apolonia Metro.
For many years, the festival has put guests up in the Hotel Florida.Opened in 1941, it is one of Lisbon’s historic hotels.It is centrally located, a short walk from the Cinema Sao Jorge and the Cinemateca Portuguesa, and is close to metro and bus stops..
The hotel breakfast room overlooks the beautiful Praca Marques de Pombal..From the moment you enter the elevator, you know that you are in a cinephile paradise.
When you step into one of the two elevators, you are greeted by a life-size picture of either Audrey Hepburn or Humphrey Bogart.Each room is named after an actor, director, or well-known film.In previous years, Nik and I have stayed in the Room with two original posters from the film on the wall.
I loved waking up every morning to look at Steve McQueen jumping the fence on his motorcycle.We have stayed in the room, where I have woken up to Travis Bickle.We have also slept in the Orsen Wells Room, and so many other ones that I can’t remember them all.
This year we stayed in It was lovely to wake up with Ilsa and Rick every morning.I highly recommend the Hotel Florida; the staff are very friendly and helpful.The rooms are spacious, and the breakfast is delicious, with a choice of fresh fruits, eggs done three different ways, and a delicious selection of pastries, including Portugal’s famous pastel de nata, a tasty egg custard tart dusted with cinnamon.
Thank you to Galrito, Ana Gonçalves, who arranged for my travel hospitality and book presentation, and the entire staff and volunteers who were always there to answer any questions.A very special thank you goes to Victor Carrico at the Lisbon Tourist Office for arranging my visit to his beautiful city.Unfortunately, I had to leave the festival before closing night to fly directly to the Kaboom Animation Festival in Amsterdam.
But that is the next story about my travels. The 2026 edition of the festival will be held between 12 and 22 March.The spotlighted country will be Latvia.
You can learn more about the festival and how you can become part of it at monstrafestival.com
List of Winning Films
Portuguese Competition:
Vasco Granja Grand Prix - “Percebes” by Alexandra Ramires, Laura Gonçalves; Portugal
Jury Special Award - “It shouldn’t rain tomorrow” by Maria Trigo Teixeira; Portugal, Germany
Audience Award - “Percebes” by Alexandra Ramires, Laura Gonçalves; Portugal
Short Film Competition:
Short Film Grand Prix - “Beautiful Men” by Nicolas Keppens; Belgium, France, Netherlands
Best Portuguese Short Film Award - “Percebes” by Alexandra Ramires, Laura Gonçalves; Portugal
Jury Special Award - “The Car that came back from the sea” by Jadwiga Kowalska;Switzerland
Audience Award - “Percebes” by Alexandra Ramires, Laura Gonçalves; Portugal
Student Short Film Competition:
Best Student Film Award - “Cat, Fox and the Wolf” by Aurore Muller Feuga, France
Best Portuguese Student Film Award - “Cherry, Passion Fruit” by Renato José Duque; Portugal, Finland
Best Student Film — Junior Jury Award - “Canned” by Hasse Van Overbeke; Belgium
Best Portuguese Student Film Award — Junior Jury Award - “The Bird From Within” by Laura Anahory; Portugal
Audience Award - “Detlev” by Ferdinand Ehrhardt; Germany
Feature Film Competition:
Feature Film Grand Prix - “Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass” by Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay; United Kingdom, Germany
Audience Award - “The Colors Within” by Naoko Yamada, Japan
Super Short Competition:
Super Short Grand Prix – “Empty Plates” by Gerser Gelly, Sasha Ramírez; Mexico
Best Portuguese Super Short Award - “-Oh” byClara Trevisan, Juan Maria León, Nan-Tung Lin, Tata Managadze; Portugal, Brazil, Taiwan, Mexico, Georgia
