Graphy Animation Report
PUBLISHED: 30 MAY 2024
WRITER: THANUT RUJITANONT
10 Animation Shorts: ‘The Flavours of Thai Independent Animation 2024’
‘The Flavours of Thai Independent Animation’ project, co-organised by an independent Thai animation team: Klowerº, Graphy Animation and A-cabinet, is the first selection of inspiring and compelling animated shorts, offering diverse flavours and signature dishes from Thai independent animation directors to international audiences. 10 films were finally shortlisted to be on focus and will be presented at the Thai Pavilion in the Annecy International Film Festival 2024 in France from 11th – 14th June 2024.
This year, we have received 48 films from 47 Thai independent directors. 45 films were produced in Thailand, 1 film in Singapore, 1 in France, and 1 in the USA. 25 are graduation films, and 11 are student films. 9 are professional films and 3 are high school films. 21 are by female directors, 19 by male directors, 2 by genderqueers, 2 by non-binary persons, and 3 by unspecified gendered persons.
Silpakorn University and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang top the list equally with 8, followed by Chulalongkorn University and Rangsit University with 5 each. King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi has 4, Chiang Mai University has 2, and Bangkok University, LASALLE College of the Arts, ESRA Animation Paris, and School of Visual Arts / MFA Computer Art each have 1.
The ten finalists represent creative treatments of impactful social issues with youth’s perspective, addressing sweet and sour relationships between family members and social suppressions through local culture, history, and politics.
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Klowerº was founded by Keawalee Warutkomain, a self-taught animator, and Wardphan Diloksambandh, a rebellious thinker and artist, aiming to support independent artists in Thailand. Klowerºcreates communities where artists and audiences as storytellers can learn and share their diverse experiences.
Graphy Animation, was founded in 2021 by Thanut Rujitanont, aims to support independent animation artists and expand animation culture in Thailand and abroad.
A-cabinet is a film screening project by Atom Natchayaporn Saengkham, an illustrator who has a fondness of animations and actively curates independent animations to audiences.
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A. Blessed Demon (ผีมีบุญ), Kitpasit Tinnachartarak, 2023
Synopsis: The scarred history of the Northeastern region of Thailand, in the years 2444-2445 B.E. (1901-1902 C.E.), a momentous uprising occurred in the city of Ubon, situated within the governance of the Siamese state. The Phi Bun rebels, wielding both power and spiritual beliefs, gathered people to resist the ruling authority. Consequently, the state had to confront the Phi Bun to eliminate the threat to Siam’s security and restore goodness to the land.
B. a creature with no spine (ฉัน, แมลง แห่งความสิ้นหวัง), Namsai Khaobor, 2024
Synopsis: a creature with no spine explores changing political landscape of Thailand through conflicts between a mother and a daughter. It touches on generational hurt, transformation and finding compassion.
C. Loose Threads, Chayanid Siripaiboolpong, 2022
Synopsis: A grandma tries to recall the familiar stranger sitting next to her. With much difficulty and frustration, she weaves her hazy memories of the stranger together, only for her to forget them once again.
D. A Roadside Story, Nattapol Komalarajun, 2021
Synopsis: After a car crash in a land of nowhere, a man got lucky when hitching a truck ride. Somehow, he didn’t want to be just a passenger but decided to take over the driver’s seat. Everything seemed smooth along the road until something looked suspicious.
E. The Adventure of Keankaew, Tuemai Dahlan, 2023
Synopsis: A fantasy tale book is about to get sold; a young girl must find a way to read its finale.
F. Pillar of Fortune (กุ่ยนายฮอลและเสามงคล), Pasu Lorphensri, 2023
Synopsis: Three friends share a cheap rental room, which is suddenly covered in mysterious pillars. The landlord claimed that this would bring good fortune to all. However, they soon realized it could bring them more than just fortune.
G. Silence in (Bangkok) City, Khwansubhanut Banlunara, 2021
Synopsis: Bangkok is one of the liveliest but the busiest city. This is the film that record Bangkok Silence which is a rare feeling to experience nowadays. In spite of the city noise, there is always a silence corner waiting to be found.
H. Cloud Behind – Heart Space (11.59 PM) [Official MV], Napath Suwanwaeng, 2023
Synopsis: Music Video for the song “Heart Space (11.59 PM)” from Cloud Behind. the story of chaotic day with the spy crew. that ended with friendship and love.
I. Little Miss Dungjai (ด.ญ.ดั่งใจ), Pattama Homrod and Primp Surapakpinyo, 2021
Synopsis: Little Miss Dungjai is a Thai student who grew up in an enclosed space in the olden time which has a different cultural context from the society in the present. She stood for what she believed in when the idea of criticizing and questioning things was not widely accepted, which later resulted in her being consumed by societal norms and she ended up being the one to pass on violence to the next generation.
J. Tan, where are you? (แถนอยู่ไส), Kirana Sri-aran, 2024
Synopsis: The story takes place in the barren village of Khu La Rong Hai (กุลาร้องไห้). A boy full of dreams and the whole village try to find a way to send rockets up to “Phaya Tan”. But no matter how many ships were built, they still never succeeded. Even the latest ship his father had tried to build caught fire and fell to the ground. The boy then thought of a way by creating a “Bung fire rocket (จรวดบั้งไฟ) ” to drive up to find Phaya Tan.
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