BAB 2010

Biennial of Animation Bratislava /BAB/ - International Festival of Animated Films for Children is an event with a tradition. It began its journey as an independent event accompanying the renowned cultural competition, Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava /BIB/. In 1985, 1987, and 1989, it took place under the name International Showcase of Animated Films for Children. In 1991, it became an international film festival. The Festival’s mission is to present Slovak and foreign animated films for children, provide opportunities for drawing comparisons, evaluate animated film production within an international competition, and support overall development of this genre. BAB is held under the patronage of the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People /CIFEJ/ in Montreal. The Festival’s main prize, PRIX KLINGSOR, has been awarded since 1991 as life achievement award. It is given to an out-standing authority in the field of animation whose creative output unites refined artistic qualities with those of filmmaking, and who focuses on production for children. PRIX KLINGSOR has been awarded to distinguished authorities in the world of animated film like Emanuele Luzzati, Giulio Giannini, Frédéric Back, Faith Hubley, Gene Deitch, Co Hoedman, Bretislav Pojar, and Caroline Leaf. Since 1999, ALBÍN BRUNOVSKÝ HONORARY MEDAL has been given in me-mory of the prominent Slovak graphic artist and illustrator who was also one of the Festival’s founders. The Medal is awarded to distinguished authors of animated films for their outstanding contribution to animated film production. Among them are also found Ján Švankmajer, Jean-Francois Laquione, Anri Kulev, Andrej Chržanovskij, Ondrej Slivka, Jurij Norštejn, Per Ahlin, Georges Schwizgebel, Piotr Dumala, Viktor Kubal, Marie Benešová, Gabriela Gavalcínová, Adolf Born, Paul Driessen. In 2003, BAB became a competitive film festival. International Jury awards the main prize, VIKTOR KUBAL PRIZE, awarded to the best film, UNICEF Award, CIFEJ Prize and Visegrad Award – ST. VOJTECH´S PRIZE. Young audience votes for the best film and gives the CHILDREN´S AUDIENCE PRIZE. The Festival includes retrospective and profile reviews, thematic film sections, international seminars and panels which discuss issues involving illustration, animation, animated film production and the media. Experts in the field participate. Biennial of Animation Bratislava is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The organizer of the festival is the BAB Secretariat in BIBIANA – International House of Art for Children.