A Bear Named Wojtek | |
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Directed by | Iain Gardner |
Written by | Wojciech Lepianka |
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Music by | Normand Roger |
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Running time | 28 minutes |
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Language | English |
A Bear Named Wojtek is a 2023 Scottish-Polish animated short film directed by Iain Gardner. [2] The 28-minute animated film about the true story [3] of Wojtek, the war bear, has been selected in various international film festivals, including the Annecy International Animation Film Festival [4] and the Manchester Animation Film Festival. [5] It also won a British Animation Award for Best Long Form Animation [6] as well as a Venice TV Award for Best Animation. The film was first broadcast on BBC Alba on the 8th May 2024. [7] It was shortlisted for the Best Animated Short Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. [8]
A Bear Named Wojtek brings to life the extraordinary true story of a Syrian brown bear adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II. This half-hour animated short follows Wojtek from the Persian Desert to the Battle of Monte Cassino, where he becomes both a soldier and a symbol of resilience. As the soldiers forge an unbreakable bond with Wojtek, the film explores themes of friendship, identity, and the search for belonging in times of upheaval.
Since its release, the film has been selected in various festivals around the world:
Year | Festivals | Award/Category | Status |
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2023 | Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival | Best Animated Short [9] | Nominated |
Manchester Animation Film Festival | British Animated Short Film Award [10] | Nominated | |
2024 | Annecy International Animation Film Festival | Competition - Best Television Film [11] | Nominated |
Venice TV Awards | Best Animation [12] | Won | |
Animasyros | TV & Commissioned Films Competition Section [13] | Nominated | |
British Animation Award | Best Long Form Animation [14] | Won | |
Portland Festival of Cinema Animation & Technology | Best Score in a Short Animation [15] | Won | |
Spokane International Film Festival | Audience Award for Best Animated Short [16] | Won | |
Animayo International Film Festival of Animation | International Film [17] | Nominated |