The Best Animated Frames [BAF] Awards which was started in 2004 by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry [FICCI] to recognise and honour students and professionals in the field of Animation, has certainly come a long way since its inception.
This first ever Animation Awards in India has grown over the years to encompass awards not only in animation, but also in the visual effects (VFX) and gaming fields. The contest now receives top-notch entries from across the globe.
The 12th edition of BAF Awards gave away awards across 24 categories, which were divided into four for gaming, six for VFX and a whooping 14 categories for animation. Apart from these there were also some jury/critic special awards that were handed out at the end which were a pleasant surprise for many.
Among the six nominees in the running for the BAF in the Animated Short Film – Student [International] category, UK’s The Shipping Forecast took home the top honour, from The Arts University of Bournemouth, even as DSK Supinfocom’s Magarwasi bagged the equivalent honour for India in the same category.
Thought Cloud Studio’s Rise of the valiant Indrajeet bagged the Animated Promos [International] award, while Paperboat Design Studio along with Nestle won the Animated Promos [India] BAF for Superbabies.
In the Animated Ad Film [International] category, Climb Media India’s BSE Fishing won the BAF. Studio Eeksaurus Productions’ Rotary Lifeline topped the list in the Indian category of the same honour; the team also took home the Animated Short Film – Professional [International] for Fisherwoman and Tuk Tuk, but lost out to Figment Film’s Sonali Pakhi in the Indian honour.
Bluepixels Animation Studios’ Ande Pirki beat out competition in both categories and took home the Indian and International BAFs in the Animated TV Episode category. Toonz Animation’s Pakdam Pakdai movie won the BAF for Animated Film (Direct-to-DVD/Home Video/Telefilm). Turner International India was given a special award for its Roll No.21 – Ticket to Australia.
The biggest award of the night in the animation category for Animated Feature Film rightfully went to Green Gold Animation for Mighty Raju Rio Calling. And ITG-Morph was honoured for its series So Sorry in the Open Category for Animation.
On the visual effects front, UK’s TellyJuice and Framestore made Freesat Sheldon won the VFX in a Commercial [International] award, while Perfect Picture and Prana Studios’ creation Hyundai Santa-Fe bagged the Indian award in the same speciality.
In VFX in Motion Picture category, Guardians of the Galaxy won the International award for Framestore and Marvel Studios, whereas Roar: Tigers of Sunderbans took home the Indian award; Roar also bagged the VFX Shot of the Year award, the VFX for the film was delivered by the Pune based Anibrain Digital Studios. Climb Media India’s Innocence won in the Open Category of VFX.
And finally on the gaming front, Reliance Games’ Ultimate Robot Fighting bagged two awards for Mobile and Tablet Game in International as well as India categories. Mumbai based Yellow Monkey Studios’ Socioball won in the Social Game: Online/Mobile category. And i2Play Interactive’s Spicetoons was honoured in the Open Category of games.
First among the special awards that were decided by the jury was ‘Character of the Year’; Maya Digital Studios’ and Nick India’s Motu Patlu took home this new title, which was earlier held by Green Gold Animation’s Chhota Bheem until last year. ITG-Morph’s So Sorry was honoured with the BAF for ‘Show of the Year’.
The BAF jury also gave away a special case study award to last year’s and Indian animation’s most successful feature film outing yet in Chaar Sahibzaade. On receiving the award Interactive Realities CEO Prasad Ajgaonkar said: “It is indeed an honour to be receognised by peers in the industry for our work. The film has not only done well commercially, but more importantly has won many hearts. I truly believe that this is an award for the whole industry and I humbly accept it on behalf of my whole team.”
The next big special award that the jury gave was to Prime Focus CEO Namit Malhotra for his contribution to the VFX industry in India and also creating the largest visual effects unit globally in the past few years. Accepting the award Namit said: “Not too long ago I too used to sit in anticipation to receive recognition for my work. It just acts like a comforting factor that one is going on the right track. I would like to thank FICCI FRAMES for this honour bestowed upon me and also appreciate it supporting and helping in nurturing younger talent that in coming into this booming industry.”
And finally the Animation poster boy of India, Rajiv Chilaka was called upon stage and handed a special BAF award for his undying contribution to the Indian animation industry and continuing to push the limits in animation not just on the small screen but on the silver screen as well.
