BLON 2025 Junior

2025 archive
Animation and Sound
Animation and Sound

Pranas Domšaitis Gallery

During the workshop, sound engineer Julius Zubavičius will reveal how sound is created for animated films, while Antanas Skučas will introduce the animation production process. Together with the children, we will create experimental interactive animation, bringing to life characters they have invented themselves.

Antanas Skučas

Antanas Skučas

Lithuania

Antanas Skucas, a film director and data artist, lecturer at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. His debut animation short “Childhood Diary” was awarded by the Lithuanian Silver Crane Award. In 2015 he established a film production company “Tylus kinas”. Also works with new media, XR, VR, AR, AI.
Julius Zubavičius

Julius Zubavičius

Lithuania

Julius Zubavičius obtained a Multimedia Director BA degree. In 2011, Julius moved to London to further his film sound designer career, where he continues to live and work. Julius has been working on more than 30 film projects as a sound designer, recordist, and composer.
FAMILY SCREENINGS
FAMILY SCREENINGS

September 13–14 at “Arlekinas” Cinema · Arlekinas

**September 13-14th at Cinema “Arlekinas"**We invite you to take part in the festival's educational and family film screenings, which will be accompanied by discussions and meetings with the filmmakers. The programme will include European animated films with exceptional themes and techniques, as well as works by established Lithuanian filmmakers.**Saturday:****11:00-12:15 "Rosa and the Stone Troll"** G • 1 h 15 min • 2023 • Animation, Family • Denmark • Live voice-over in LithuanianRosa is a little insecure and dutiful flower fairy who always lived alone in her rosebush. More than anything she dreams of having a friend, but she is scared of everything and never dared to go out to the Summerland to meet one. One day the cool and adventurous butterfly Silk crosses paths with Rosa and they immediately become friends despite their differences. Silk wants to go on adventures in the Summerland and Rosa just wants to stay in her safe bush. But when Silk is kidnapped by an evil Stone Troll, Rosa has to let go of her fears and set out on a dangerous journey to save her best friend.The film is presented by Karla Nor Holmbäck**12:40-14:10 "Little Nicholas: Happy As Can Be"** G • 1 h 26 min • 2022 • Animation, Family • France • Voice-over in LithuanianWhen illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé first drew little imp Nicholas, he knew he had to get his good friend René Goscinny (of Asterix fame) to write the story. As the two artists bring the boy to life, Nicholas himself escapes the page to ask them about their own childhoods. Through these conversations, the friends share stories of early artistic ambition, immigrating to the United States, and family lost to World War II. For those discovering the character for the first time, this is the perfect introduction to their offbeat appeal and the chance to spend time with both creators and creations in a watercolour version of New Wave Paris.The film is presented by Benjamin Massoubre**Sunday:****11:00-12:00 "International Young Audience Competition Programme"** **G** • 1 h 00 s • AnimationThis year, BLON Festival is excited to launch a brand-new competition programme made especially for our youngest festival-goers. Selected from around the world, these films will be judged by a special young jury of Klaipėda school students. This lively selection invites kids to dive into stories about friendship, nature, and the diversity of emotions, while discovering the colourful world of animation in many different styles and techniques. From catchy tunes to stories that spark curiosity or just make you laugh out loud — there’s something here for everyone, from kindergarteners to older students.**12:30-13:50 "Living Large"** PG-7 • 1 h 20 min • 2024 • Animation, Family • Czech Republic, Slovakia, France • Voice-over in Lithuanian12-year-old Ben has just hit puberty and suddenly his weight’s a problem – for him and for everyone else. The other kids bully him, his divorced parents don’t know what to do… Even the school nurse is worried about him. So, despite his love of food and his emerging talent as a chef, Ben decides to take drastic action. He starts to diet. Maybe that can turn things round. And even win the heart of Klara, the girl of his dreams… Finally Ben will earn that what truly matters isn’t how you look - it’s how you feel.The film is presented by Viliam Vala.

Karla Nor Holmbäck

Karla Nor Holmbäck

Denmark

Karla Nor Holmbäck studied animation at the National Film School of Denmark in 2018. In this context, she has worked on content for children, in the form of TV series, video games and world-building. She also works as a children’s book illustrator and, since 2020, as an author with leading Danish publishing house Gyldendal.
Benjamin Massoubre

Benjamin Massoubre

France

Benjamin Massoubre fell in love with animation when he discovered its richness and variety at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival. He started as an editor and had the chance to work on many animated feature films which earned him membership of both the A.C.E and the AMPAS. He collaborated with Jérémy Clapin on I Lost My Body, with Rémi Chayé on Long way north and Calamity: A childhood of Martha Jane Cannary and with Patrick Imbert on The Summit of the Gods. His first feature film as director : Little Nicholas happy as can be ! was selected at the Cannes Film Festival and also received the Cristal for best feature at the Annecy international animation Festival in 2022.
Viliam Vala

Viliam Vala

Australia

Graduated in Animation from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, in 1996. Two student films competed at Annecy in 1997. Since then, I’ve worked in film and TV as an editor, director, and animator. My latest short I'm Leaving explores thought trapped by belief. Recent work includes animation on Even Mice Belong to Heaven (2021) and Living Large (2024).
SCHOOL SCREENINGS
SCHOOL SCREENINGS

September 11–12 at “Arlekinas” Cinema · Arlekinas

Educational sessions play an important role in developing students' visual literacy and critical thinking. Cartoons can convey complex ideas and emotions through an engaging visual narrative, making them a highly effective educational tool.**Ticket prices: 5 EUR/person. ** **Register: [edu@blon.lt](mailto:edu@blon.lt)****Thursday:****11:00-12:15 "Rosa and the Stone Troll"** G • 1 h 15 min • 2023 • Animation, Family • Denmark • Live voice-over in LithuanianRosa is a little insecure and dutiful flower fairy who always lived alone in her rosebush. More than anything she dreams of having a friend, but she is scared of everything and never dared to go out to the Summerland to meet one. One day the cool and adventurous butterfly Silk crosses paths with Rosa and they immediately become friends despite their differences. Silk wants to go on adventures in the Summerland and Rosa just wants to stay in her safe bush. But when Silk is kidnapped by an evil Stone Troll, Rosa has to let go of her fears and set out on a dangerous journey to save her best friend.**12:30-13:30 "International Young Audience Competition Programme"** G • 1 h 00 min • AnimationThis year, BLON Festival is excited to launch a brand-new competition programme made especially for our youngest festival-goers. Selected from around the world, these films will be judged by a special young jury of Klaipėda school students. This lively selection invites kids to dive into stories about friendship, nature, and the diversity of emotions, while discovering the colourful world of animation in many different styles and techniques. From catchy tunes to stories that spark curiosity or just make you laugh out loud — there’s something here for everyone, from kindergarteners to older students.**13:40-15:10 "Scarygirl"** G • 1 h 30 min • 2023 • Animation, Fantasy, Adventure • Australia • Voice-over in LithuanianArkie, an adopted 12-year-old girl, blind in one eye and with a tentacle-like arm, lives on an isolated peninsula with her over-protective father Blister, a giant octopus. But when an explosion echoes through the trees and Blister goes missing, Arkie enters the forest, taking the first step on an epic journey to the City of Light where her dad is being held prisoner. Arkie finds a ragtag collection of allies and foes who promise to help her on her quest, as Arkie must also face the dark truth about her origins and realize that her true power lies in her imperfect but unique self.The film is presented by Nathan Jurevicius**Friday:****11:00-12:30 "Little Nicholas: Happy As Can Be"** G • 1 h 26 min • 2022 • Animation, Family • France • Voice-over in LithuanianWhen illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé first drew little imp Nicholas, he knew he had to get his good friend René Goscinny (of Asterix fame) to write the story. As the two artists bring the boy to life, Nicholas himself escapes the page to ask them about their own childhoods. Through these conversations, the friends share stories of early artistic ambition, immigrating to the United States, and family lost to World War II. For those discovering the character for the first time, this is the perfect introduction to their offbeat appeal and the chance to spend time with both creators and creations in a watercolour version of New Wave Paris.**13:00-14:20 "Living Large"** PG-7 • 1 h 20 min • 2024 • Animation, Family • Czech Republic, Slovakia, France • Voice-over in Lithuanian12-year-old Ben has just hit puberty and suddenly his weight’s a problem – for him and for everyone else. The other kids bully him, his divorced parents don’t know what to do… Even the school nurse is worried about him. So, despite his love of food and his emerging talent as a chef, Ben decides to take drastic action. He starts to diet. Maybe that can turn things round. And even win the heart of Klara, the girl of his dreams… Finally Ben will earn that what truly matters isn’t how you look - it’s how you feel.The film is presented by Viliam Vala

Viliam Vala

Viliam Vala

Australia

Graduated in Animation from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, in 1996. Two student films competed at Annecy in 1997. Since then, I’ve worked in film and TV as an editor, director, and animator. My latest short I'm Leaving explores thought trapped by belief. Recent work includes animation on Even Mice Belong to Heaven (2021) and Living Large (2024).
Nathan Jurevicius

Nathan Jurevicius

Australia

Nathan Jurevicius is an illustrator, director, toy designer, and concept artist known for creating immersive worlds like Scarygirl. His work spans limited-edition figures, games, and animation.
He has worked in London and Providence, taught character design at Pictoplasma Academy in Berlin, and was Creative Director at Dark Slope, a VR/AR studio. Nathan is also known for the Australian Academy Award-winning PELEDA universe, inspired by Baltic mythology.
Now, he freelances internationally across games, animation, toys, and publishing.
Stop-Motion Animation Workshop with Viliam Vala
Stop-Motion Animation Workshop with Viliam Vala

September 13 // 10:00-12:00

Join animator Viliam Vala, one of the talents behind the feature film “**Living Large”**, for a hands-on stop-motion workshop tailored for teens aged 12 and up. Discover the magic of character animation as Viliam demonstrates the techniques used in professional stop-motion films. Participants will explore the process of bringing characters and objects to life frame by frame, learn essential animation principles, and create their own short scenes using puppets or objects. Perfect for curious minds and creative hands!Ages 12+ | Limited spots available Registration required: edu@blon.lt

Viliam Vala

Viliam Vala

Australia

Graduated in Animation from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, in 1996. Two student films competed at Annecy in 1997. Since then, I’ve worked in film and TV as an editor, director, and animator. My latest short I'm Leaving explores thought trapped by belief. Recent work includes animation on Even Mice Belong to Heaven (2021) and Living Large (2024).
Stop-Motion Puppet Animation Exhibition
Stop-Motion Puppet Animation Exhibition

September 12-13th at Klaipeda Puppet Theater

**BLON Animation and Games Festival invites you to a Stop-Motion Puppet Animation Exhibition at the Klaipėda Puppet Theater!**Puppet stop-motion animation is a technique in which physical puppets or figures are moved incrementally and photographed at each stage, creating the illusion that they move on their own.The exhibition will showcase characters and sets used in the making of three animated films: “Living Large” (animator Viliam Vala), “On Weary Wings Go By” (director and animator Anu-Laura Tuttelberg), and “The Conductor” (director and animator Antanas Skučas). We invite you to explore the exhibition and meet its creators!**Exhibition opening hours during BLON Festival:** - September 12, 12:00–19:00 - September 13, 13:30–19:00**September 13, 13:30 – meeting with the creators**

Viliam Vala

Viliam Vala

Australia

Graduated in Animation from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, in 1996. Two student films competed at Annecy in 1997. Since then, I’ve worked in film and TV as an editor, director, and animator. My latest short I'm Leaving explores thought trapped by belief. Recent work includes animation on Even Mice Belong to Heaven (2021) and Living Large (2024).
Anu-Laura Tuttelberg

Anu-Laura Tuttelberg

Estonia

Anu-Laura Tuttelberg graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2013 with an MA in Animation, specializing in stop-motion. Her graduation film Fly Mill won 20 prizes globally. Her first post-graduation film, On The Other Side Of The Woods, premiered at the Annecy International Animation Festival and won 12 awards across 85 festivals. Winter in the Rainforest, the first in her nature trilogy, premiered at Annecy in 2019, winning 13 festival prizes and the Estonian Cultural Endowment Award. Anu-Laura, known for her set designs in stop-motion films, won the 2022 Estonian Film and TV Award for Best Production Design. She teaches animation at her alma mater.
Antanas Skučas

Antanas Skučas

Lithuania

Antanas Skucas, a film director and data artist, lecturer at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. His debut animation short “Childhood Diary” was awarded by the Lithuanian Silver Crane Award. In 2015 he established a film production company “Tylus kinas”. Also works with new media, XR, VR, AR, AI.