The German–Polish–Czech short film Joko, directed by Izabela Plucińska, received two nominations and was awarded the Emile Award for Best Character Design and Backgrounds in a Short Film. This puppet-animated short presents a grotesque reflection on exploitation and domination, employing absurd and macabre humour to explore human behaviour and power dynamics.

The second award, Best of the Best – Short Film, was presented to the animated documentary I Died in Irpin by Ukrainian director Anastasiia Falileieva, produced by Maurfilm (CZ), Artichoke (SK) and Plastic Bag Films (UA). Created using charcoal frame-by-frame animation on paper, the film - like Joko - premiered at Festival Annecy 2024 and continues a strong festival presence internationally.

“We are very glad to see the Emile Awards return and to witness European animation receiving the attention it deserves,” producer Martin Vandas from Maurfilm commented. “The year 2024 was particularly productive for short films at our company, with several new titles entering festival distribution. We are therefore grateful that the selection committee acknowledged Joko and I Died in Irpin.” 

The 2025 Emile Awards mark the return of the event after a pandemic-related interruption. Hosted by the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn, the ceremony brought together professionals from across the European animation sector. This year’s edition also honoured Estonian stop-motion pioneer Heino Pars (1925–2014). The newly designed trophy, THE NAIL, was created by the Estonia-based Nukufilm Studio as a tribute to Pars’s 1972 film The Nail.

Joko – more information about the film, including the trailer and film stills

I Died in Irpin – more information about the film, including the trailer and film stills