“Clermont-Ferrand Festival Honors Animated Brilliance: ‘I Died in Irpin’ and ‘Ashen Sun’ Shine at Prestigious Awards”
The 47th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival wrapped up in spectacular fashion, breaking attendance records and shining a spotlight on some of the most powerful short films of the year. With nearly 173,000 admissions and over 4,100 accredited professionals attending the Short Film Market, the festival reaffirmed its status as a premier global event for short-form cinema.
This year, Lebanese cinema took center stage, while the festival also highlighted the importance of sound in storytelling. As always, the Oscar-qualifying competitions were fierce, with live-action shorts dominating the top prizes. However, animation wasn’t left behind—several animated films took home prestigious awards, proving once again that animation is a storytelling powerhouse.
Award-Winning Animated Shorts: A Celebration of Art & Impact
Among the standout winners was Anastasiia Falileieva’s deeply moving animated documentary, I Died in Irpin (Czechia / Slovakia / Ukraine), which took home the Award for Best Animation, presented by DOTimages. The film, which has already won accolades at the Ottawa International Animation Festival, London International Animation Festival, and the Kyiv International Short Film Festival, offers a harrowing firsthand account of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Falileieva’s autobiographical narrative is based on her personal experience when, on February 24, she and her boyfriend traveled from Kyiv to Irpin to visit his parents—only to find themselves caught in the escalating conflict. The film’s raw emotional weight and unique visual storytelling have resonated with audiences worldwide, making it one of the most powerful animated documentaries in recent memory.
Another animated documentary making waves was Ship of Fools (Germany/Lebanon) by Alia Haju, which won the Lab Special Jury Prize, presented by CNC. This strikingly vibrant film blends the director’s personal experiences with fantastical elements, chronicling her journey of war, displacement, and survival. The protagonist, Alia, befriends a would-be superhero named Abu Samra on the shores of Beirut, and together, they navigate the chaos of their world. The film captures the resilience of the Lebanese people and their ability to find solace in the madness around them.
Music Meets Animation: ‘Ashen Sun’ Takes Home Best Original Score
In addition to animation’s storytelling triumphs, composer Fredrika Stahl won the Award for Best Original Score for her work on Ashen Sun (Soleil Gris | France / Belgium), directed by Camille Monnier. This watercolor 2D short, produced by Novanima and Animal Tank, tells the story of Charlie, a teenager dreaming of escaping a dreary motel stay with her cousin Jess. As they bicker under the scorching sun, the world around them begins to unravel—triggering an ecological apocalypse. The haunting score by Stahl adds an extra layer of intensity to this already gripping tale.
Honorable Mentions & Special Recognitions
The Clermont-Ferrand juries also highlighted other remarkable works with Special Mentions. The Student Jury recognized Ship of Fools, further solidifying its place as a standout short film. Meanwhile, the International Jury gave a special mention to My Brother, My Brother (Egypt) by twin directors Saad and Abdelrahman Dnewar.
This hybrid short film, combining 2D animation with live-action footage, tells a deeply personal story of twin brothers, Omar and Wesam, and their lifelong bond. The film’s split narrative style provides two perspectives on their shared experiences, making for an emotionally charged and visually unique cinematic experience.
A Record-Breaking Year for the Clermont-Ferrand Festival
With record-breaking attendance and an impressive lineup of films, the 2025 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival proved that short films—especially animated ones—continue to push artistic and narrative boundaries.
From hard-hitting documentaries like I Died in Irpin to visually stunning works like Ashen Sun, this year’s festival showcased the power of animation to tell complex, emotionally resonant stories. As the industry moves forward, these films serve as a testament to the creative and political impact of animated storytelling.
One thing is clear: whether through political commentary, personal memoirs, or pure artistic expression, animation is more than just entertainment—it’s a powerful medium for change.
