In a key year for Portuguese cinema, “Ice Merchants”, by João Gonzalez, wins the Annie Awards, the most important American awards dedicated to animation, given by the International Animated Film Society. The film is the second Portuguese creation to bring us the Annie for Best Short Film — in 2020, it was the turn of “Uncle Thomas: Accounting for the Days”, by Regina Pessoa.
João Gonzalez’ victory is the culmination of a beautiful professional path: in less than a year, “Ice Merchants” is the first Portuguese animated film to win an award at Cannes; it was one of the 5 nominees for the European Film Awards; it won around 50 awards and special mentions at film festivals around the world; it was part of more than a hundred official selections; and, of course, it received the unprecedented nomination for the Oscars, which takes Portugal to the Hollywood ceremony for the first time.
With great pride in our art and our artists, MONSTRA eagerly awaits the start of its Portuguese Competition and the International Short Film Competition, where we will be able to witness the magic and mastery of “Ice Merchants”, which has already conquered many hearts worldwide.
“Ice Merchants” is a Cola Animation and Wild Stream production and will be screened at MONSTRA on March 21st at 7 p.m. (Short Film Competition 2) and on March 24th at 9 p.m. (Portuguese Competition), both sessions at Cinema São Jorge – Sala Manoel de Oliveira.