News
Read the latest news from A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK, including info about festivals, international screenings and awards.
WINNING BEST ANIMATION AT BRITISH SHORT FILM AWARDs
A great honour to win BEST ANIMATED FILM at the prestigious British Short Film Awards. Thank you to the voting jury and the entire team for A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK.
BFI SCREENING
19th January 2025 A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK screened alongside WAR GAME at the BFI Southbank London, both films produced by @illuminatedfilmcompany
Pictured: Producer Iain Harvey/ War Game director Dave Unwin / ABNW director Iain Gardner/ Justin Johnson lead programmer for the BFI
SHORTLISTED FOR 97TH OSCARS
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK has been shortlisted as one of the 15 films in consideration for the OSCARS for Best Animated Short Animation! It's testimony to our amazing crew on A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK that we've arrived on the shortlist for the 97th Academy Awards. Everyone involved elevated the directors vision creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
Huge thanks to @screenscots @britishfilminstitute @bbc.alba @pisf_pl @animationshowcase
OFFICIAL SELECTON AT BUCHAREST FILM AWARDS
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK, an animated film about a Syrian Bear adopted by soldiers during WWII is included in the Official Selection for the 2024 Bucharest Film Awards.
BRITISH SHORT FILM AWARDS NOMINATION
Many thanks to the British Short Film Awards 2024 for nominating A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK for Best Animated Short Film.
Winner of Breaking-TV Film Festival
Official programme of the Gdańsk Animation Festival
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK has been selected as part of the Official programme of the Gdańsk Animation Festival 8th-11th Nov 2024.
The Gdańsk Animation Festival includes screenings of the latest animated films from around the world. At the Festival, as every year, you will be able to watch artistic animations and ambitious films, including films made in the classic, drawn animation technique, which is slowly becoming forgotten due to the ubiquitous computer technology. The festival will feature premiere movies for both children and adult viewers.
MAKING OF A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK
Selected for 24FRAME FUTURE FILM FESTIVAL.
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK is amongst the short films in competition at the 24FRAME FUTURE FILM FESTIVAL. The Festival will take place in Bologna from November 6th to 10th and in Modena from November 22nd to 24th.
Screening at Polish Heritage Day at the National Mining Museum Scotland
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK screens as part of Polish Heritage Day at the National Mining Museum Scotland on Saturday 16th November. This is part of a vibrant celebration of Polish culture and traditions 11am through to 3pm.
Screening at Polish Film Festival LA
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK has been nominated for a HOLLYWOOD EAGLE AWARD by the Polish Film Festival LA. We screen with the Festival on Saturday 9th November at 2pm at the Laemmle Town Center Encino.
Screening at Perth Theatre and Concert Hall
UPDATE: Corin Beattie, Head of Learning & Engagement at Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, hosted a QnA with A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK director Iain Gardner and fiddle player Pete Clark with brilliant engagement from the audience, many from the local Film Society. Pete performed on the soundtrack of the film during the ceilidh sequence and has a family connection to composer Normand Roger and his wife Marcy Page.
A Bear Named Wojtek is being screened at Perth Theatre and Concert Hall!
Screenings available in English, Polish and Gaelic
The English screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's director Iain Gardner.
🎟️ link to tickets: https://www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com/whats-on/a-bear-named-wojtek-english-316802
A Memorable Evening at Ognisko Polskie
Ognisko Polskie hosted a remarkable evening dedicated to A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK, a film that holds a special significance for many. The event was met with an overwhelmingly positive reception, as the film's deeply personal and moving themes sparked a profound connection with the audience.
We were honoured to be joined by key members of the production team, including Director Iain Gardner, Producer Iain Harvey, and cast members Remi Rachuba, Richard Gadd, and James Sutherland. Special thanks to Development Consultant Krytyna Ivell and the evening’s esteemed guest, the radiant Rula Lenska, for their presence and contributions.
It was an unforgettable night that highlighted the lasting impact of this powerful story.
WINNER! VENICE TV AWARD
It is an honour to win in the Animation category for the Venice TV Award. Thank you to the jury who voted for A Bear Named Wojtek!
WINNER! PORTLAND FESTIVAL OF CINEMA, ANIMATION & TECHNOLOGY
Congratulations to Normand Roger for WINNING Best Score in a Short Animation. Thank you Portland Festival!
PORTLAND FESTIVAL OF CINEMA, ANIMATION & TECHNOLOGY
We are selected to be screened at the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology, located in Oregon Museum of Science and Industry August 21st- 25th.
We are delighted to be taking part!
SILVER WINNER 2024
We're been presented with a Silver Badge from the Collision Awards. Thank you to everyone who voted for A Bear Named Wojtek!
Outwith festival official selection
We're part of this year's outwithfestival line up in Dunfermline Scotland, screening at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum on Sept 8th at 10:00, with support from filmhubscotland
The Ray Harryhausen Award
Huge thanks to the Jury for the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation Awards for presenting A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK with the Best Short Film Award for 2024!
You can watch the award ceremony now on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng8R2hU0NrQ
Feature in Animation Magazine
Printed in the Annecy edition of ANIMATION MAGAZINE, you can read it here https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/06/a-bear-named-wojtek-director-iain-gardner-discusses-his-lovingly-crafted-annecy-selected-project/
Festiwal Animacji O!PLA WINNER!
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK wins the Golden Bundle Award from the Festiwal Animacji O!PLA @oplafest in Poland!
A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK screens with Kinolub International Film Festival for Children and Youth 10-14th June 2024 in 11 cities of South-Eastern Poland.
Kinolub Main Competition
BBC Alba Presents Gaelic Version for Victory in Europe Day
In commemoration of the Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on May 8th, BBC Alba is set to air the Gaelic Language version of 'A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK.' Following the broadcast, viewers can enjoy the film on BBC iPlayer for an extended period of 30 days.
The 'Two Iains' of 'A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK' Unite with Helen Brunsdon and kieran argo for the Get Animated Conference
The dynamic duo behind 'A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK,' producer Iain Harvey and director Iain Gardner, recently teamed up with Steve Henderson from Manchester Animation Festival and Helen Brunsdon from The British Animation Awards. Together, they offered invaluable insights and perspectives at the Get Animated Conference, shedding light on the intricacies of the animation awards landscape.
Director Iain Gardner Joins Recent British Animation Awards Recipients on Skwigly Podcast
Our esteemed director, Iain Gardner, has teamed up with other recent recipients of The British Animation Awards for a lively discussion on the Skwigly podcast. Together, they delve into the excitement of the awards night, hosted by Helen Brunsdon and Kieran Argo. In the accompanying image, Iain is seen alongside Compositor Will Anderson, who received a BAA for Audience Award with 'SHACKLE,' directed by Ainslie Henderson. For those eager to tune in, visit Skwigly for a direct link to listen: Skwigly Animation Podcast 2024 - BAA Special
Director of 'A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK' to Present Film at Les Sommets Du Cinéma D'Animation in Montréal
Iain Gardner, the director of 'A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK,' is scheduled to present the movie at Les Sommets Du Cinéma D'Animation in Montréal on May 9th at 3 pm. The presentation promises an insightful exploration of the film's cultural connections with Montréal, highlighting its collaboration with composers Normand Roger and Denis Chartrand, as well as sound designer Pierre Yves Drapeau. Additionally, Gardner will delve into the significant influence of the late Montréal Animation Master Frédéric Back, particularly in the year of his Centenary.
Filmograf Premieres Polish Language Version of 'A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK' in Torun!
Filmograf, our coproducers in Poland, are set to unveil the Polish Language version of 'A BEAR NAMED WOJTEK' on May 8th and 9th in Toruń.
A Bear Named Wojtek is set to make its mark in the heart of Los Angeles, screening at the prestigious Laemmle Theatres in Glendale from April 19th to April 25th, 2024. While exact showtimes are yet to be announced, audiences can anticipate matinée screenings throughout the week. For updated information on showtimes and tickets, please visit the link Bear Named Wojtek - Laemmle.com
