Thank you, TAFF 2023!

The eighth edition of TAFF has come to an end with The Audience Choice and Best of TAFF 2023 screenings!

Turku Animated Film Festival gathered a multitude of seasoned animation enthusiasts and a great number of festival newcomers dared to explore the screenings as well! The Junior screenings in particular attracted a new and enthusiastic audience this year.

“Many of our films are experimental auteur works, not always the easiest viewing experiences. Therefore it has been a great joy to see that Turku as a cultural city has embraced TAFF into the lineup of late-summer festivals, and there is a growing interest in animation films,” says Annika Dahlsten, who stepped into the role of festival director this year.

This year, nine films were awarded at the festival. The awarded films included both anticipated favorites and surprising charmers. Among the audience favorites, domestic films had a strong presence. The festival’s main award went to Flóra Anna Budai’s French film “27,” an emancipation story that impressed the jury with its relevance and rich storytelling. The Audience Award, on the other hand, was won by Iiti Yli-Harja’s “Blush – An Extraordinary Voyage,” whose chaotic portrayal of friendship amused and charmed its viewers.

You can see all the awarded films and the reasoning behind the choices HERE.

Thanks to all the directors who submitted their films to us – without you, there would be no TAFF! Thanks also to our keen-eyed judges Thomas Renoldner, Aline Höchli, and Kaisa Penttilä, as well as our junior jury from Martti School’s 5C class! Thanks to the production team, volunteers, and everyone who helped build the backbone of our festival – and thank you, our dear audience, for giving it a heart!

Thanks to our partners Rajupaja Oy, WFFC and Scene Turku, Finnish Animation Guild, Taiteen talo, Turun Kirjakahvila, Aurinkobaletti, Jo-Jo Theater, Museum boat hostel S/S Bore, and Bagel House. Thanks to YLE, AVEK, SET ry, Arts Promotion Centre Finland TAIKE , SES, Turun kaupunki, The Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Pro Manilla Foundation for supporting the festival!

See you again next year!