Lusófona professor and award-winning director gains international recognition with her latest film
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Lea Vidaković, professor at Lusófona University and renowned animation director, has reached an impressive milestone by securing a place on the longlist for Best Animated Short Film.
The animation portrays an apparently peaceful Sunday in a luxurious aristocratic residence on the eve of World War I. However, the serenity is abruptly interrupted when András and his daughter Zsófia receive an unexpected visit from Zoltan, András' brother, accompanied by his large family of twelve members. With a poetic narrative and subtly dark humour, Vidaković explores family dynamics and social issues, revealing relationships and tensions in a striking and visually impactful way.
In this interview, held at the Puppet Museum in Lisbon, the professor shares what it means to be part of the Oscar selection and how the film production process unfolded. It is worth mentioning that the work was also nominated for France’s prestigious César Award and recently won the Émile Award (European Animation Award) in the category of Best Sound and Music.
The nomination was driven by the victory at the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Mexico, where it received the Rigo Mora Award for Best International Animated Short Film. This achievement reinforces Vidaković's storytelling talent and highlights the growing recognition of animated films in the global cinema landscape.
The professor’s presence in the Oscar race also reflects the increasing relevance of Lusófona University in the international film and animation scene, serving as an inspiration for students and colleagues as her film continues on its path to success.
Coverage
Ana Azevedo
Editing
Cristo Chikale
Acknowledgement
Puppet Museum (Lisbon)
