TEHRAN- Iranian short animation “In the Shadow of the Cypress”, co-directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, has won an Academy Awards-qualifying prize at the 19th edition of Animayo Gran Canaria, International Festival of Animation, Visual Effects and Videogames. 

The film received the festival’s Grand Jury Prize on Wednesday, which makes it eligible for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. 

“In the Shadow of the Cypress” also received Best 2D Award of the festival, which was held in Gran Canaria Island in Spain. 

The film portrays an aging sailor grappling with post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Living with his daughter in a modest seaside home, their relationship has grown distant. Despite the old captain's desire to reconnect with his daughter, their lives take an unexpected turn one morning.

"We are thrilled to see Iranian talent shining at this prestigious festival," said a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. "We congratulate Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani on their well-deserved win."

The festival competition featured 2,309 works from more than 80 countries, with 59 films screened in four official competition sections. The "Animayo Itinerant" global tour will bring the winning films to cities around the world, including Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, and more.

As the first and only animation festival in Spain designated a qualifying festival for the Oscars by AMPAS, Animayo's Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of 3,000 euros and an honorary trophy. 

The International Jury consisted of John Musker and Patrick O'Keefe, both from the U.S., Shuzo Shiota from Japan, Elena Ø Alexa and Sara Koppel, both from Denmark.

The "Animayo Itinerant" tour will visit Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, India, Brussels, Italy, Prague, Chicago, Belgrade, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Korea, Mexico, and Portugal.

SAB/