12/03/2021 - The co-production development prize was won by the French-Belgian project steered by Autour de Minuit in co-operation with Panique! and Schmuby

Shadows by Nadia Micault

Awarded within the 23rd edition of Cartoon Movie, which was held exceptionally online between 9 and 11 March, the Eurimages Co-Production Development Prize (consisting of €20,000) was handed to Shadows, a project set to be directed by French filmmaker Nadia Micault. The jury composed of Karin Schockweiler (Film Fund Luxembourg), France’s Emmanuelle Chevalier (Les Films du Préau) and Bulgaria’s Emil Simeonov (Pro Films) "was impressed by this ambitious project which examines important issues, such as migration, family, relationships and the care we show towards one another, all in the tone of a fairy tale whose ending inspires hope. The film’s high-quality visuals are markedly original and produced using an interesting mix of techniques. This has been a co-developed project right from the very outset and is steered by a talented team."

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Targeting family audiences (8 years old and upwards) and designed to screen in 2D, Shadows (whose screenplay was adapted based on the eponymous comic book by Vincent Zabus and Hyppolite) homes in on two children who, like their father, flee their village in search of a better world. It marks the beginning of a long journey for these two "migrants". They come across a capitalist ogre, a snake smuggler, perfidious mermaids and a metal fortress. They also meet other travellers, The Peacock and The Mute. Together, they walk the long and arduous road towards the Promised Land, with a helping hand from the Shadows…

Shadows is produced by Nicolas Schmerkin on behalf of French firm Autour de Minuit, in co-production with Vincent Tavier for Belgian group Panique !, alongside Schmuby.

(Translated from French)