KUUMBA UMBO
The film has participated in over 50 animation film festivals worldwide and has received 4 awards.
Animated film // 00:06:39 // 2022 // Belgium / USA
Directed by Ekaterina Gardener
Art direction by Ekaterina Gardener
Music by Timothy Hosman
Sound design by Jason Downer
Animation and compositing by
Studio SCRIBBLEQUIBBLE
The birth of form is the birth of the world. From our early childhood to our last breath, we as humans learn about the world around us and try to find our place in it. As an ancient phenomenon of human culture, masks act as guides through this discovery. Our animated film depicts the many meanings and forms a mask can take in our world.
I was invited to create for the large exhibition of African Art at the Hermitage (Saint Petersburg, Russia). It started with pictures in my head, a story inside of me, and no prior experience in 2D animation.
One of the main things that helped me with the story was an African family I saw standing in front of a gallery window in Sablon, Brussels. It was raining outside, and they were looking at African masks and sculptures. I was sure that the price and beauty of the items weren’t important to them.
They were interested in something more!
This project has allowed me to learn how to animate and has truly turned me into an animator.
The music for the film was composed by Timothy Hosman. He is known composer and producer from
California, USA.
“A bridge between African and European art” Here you can find my interview in the ECFA Journal (European Children's Film Association), authored by Gert Hermans
Timothy Hosman /composer/ about anproject KUUMBA UMBO
Jason Downer /sound designer/ about a project KUUMBA UMBO
Studio ScribbleQuibble /animators/ about a project KUUMBA UMBO
The creative process of the film KUUMBA UMBO
AWARDS
5th São Tomé and Príncipe International Film Festival, Portugal, 2022
'The new directors'
7th Zinetxiki Zinemaldia - International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Bilbao, Spain, 2022
'The Best of Show'
13th West Virginia Mountaineer Short Film Festival, Morgantown, WV, USA, 2023
'Audience Award'
3th Cactus International Children's and Youth Film Festival, Aosta, Italy, 2023
4th CRAFT International Animation Festival, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 2023
OFFICIAL SELECTION
50th Animafest Zagreb, Films for Children Competition, Croatia, 2022
62d ZLIN International Film Festival, Czech Republic, 2022
13th Anibar International Animation Festival, Kosovo, 2022
30th Cinekid Festival, Holland, 2022
46th CINANIMA, Espinho, Portugal, 2022
6th Filem'on International filmfestival for children and youth, Belgium, 2022
Wereld Premier
39th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Chicago, USA, 2022
9th Montreal Animation Film Festival ANIMAZE, Montreal, Canada, 2022
18th Children’s Film Festival Seattle, Seattle, USA, 2023
14th Providence Children’s Film Festival, Providence, USA, 2023
12th One Earth Film Festival, Chicago, USA, 2023
French Premier
23th Festival du film court francophone, Lyon, France, 2023
41th International Film Festival Ciné-Jeune de l’Aisne, Laon, France, 2023
12th “Ojo de Pescado” International Film Festival, Valparaíso, Chile, 2023
African Premier
10th Kinshasa International Film Festival, Kinshasa, Congo, 2023
31th Festival della Lessinia, Verona, Italy, 2024
26th Olympia Film Festival for Children and Young People, Greece, 2023
7th AJAYU International Animation Festival, Peru, 2022
and others......