Taking "Exquisite Brain" to Varazdin
2015-04-29
News
Nine Tumo students and two staff members have just returned from Croatia after taking part in the VAFI animation festival in Varazdin, and winning second place in the MAXI category with "Exquisite Brain". The young animators participated in the festival from April 23 to April 26.
During their stay in Varazdin, they took every opportunity to practice their sketching skills by drawing the atmosphere and people around them. A favorite spot of theirs was Varazdin's baroque style Old Castle and the Central Square.
When spending time in the Central Square, the animators decided to conduct a flash mob, where they took over the square and began drawing absolutely everything around them. At the festival they bumped into one of the organizers who said, "When I saw you guys yesterday, I thought either they're crazy or they must be taking part in VAFI." But that wasn't all, as they were the only group from Armenia to take part in the festival they decided to introduce locals and tourists to Armenian culture by dancing traditional dances under the beat of an African drum played by a street musician.
Upon finding out they had won second place out of 35 animations in their category, they had a chance to talk to one of the best known comics artists in Croatia and jury member, Krešimir Zimonić, who said, "I was so impressed with "Exquisite Brain" that I fought for the animation to take at least the second place and no less."
All nine students want to return to Varazdin one day and explore the city further. Greta Manukyan, one of the most active participants in the team, said, "There was an inspirational atmosphere in the city and at the festival. I am even more motivated to participate in further festivals and explore my sketching skills in magnificent cities."