Armenian director’s animated film wins at Cannes

PanARMENIAN.Net - The animated film Winter Will Not End, directed by Armenian filmmaker Natalya Mirzoyan, had its world premiere at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival within the official La Cinef competition and received the third honorary prize of the Golden Palm. The film was selected from more than 2,400 entries, according to the Armenian National Cinema Center.

The production was supported by Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports and the Armenian National Cinema Center. It is a co-production between ArtStep Studio (Armenia), Rebel Frame, the Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia), Black Boat Pictures (France), and White Boat Pictures (Belgium).

The project was first introduced at the ReAnimania animated film festival, where it received its debut award. The film’s producer is Armine Harutyunyan.

Based on a true story, Winter Will Not End follows a couple living in Saint Petersburg, with the narrative beginning on the first day of the Russia-Ukraine war. It portrays the events from the perspective of Russian citizens who oppose the war. The film captures developments during the first month of the conflict and the couple’s subsequent relocation to Georgia. Escalating tensions lead to emotional estrangement, ending in their separation.