The Present - CGI Awarded short film (2014)

The film tells the story of a boy who rather spends his time indoors playing videogames instead of discovering what’s waiting outside. One day his Mum decides to get a little surprise for her son, which makes it hard for him to concentrate on his video game any longer.

After a very successful festival circuit, running on over 180 film festivals and winning more than 50 awards, we’ve decided that it’s finally time to share “The Present” with the rest of the world.
“The Present” is a thesis short from the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction at the Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
We really hope you enjoy the result of our hard work. Thanks to everyone who help creating this film and everyone who supported us during the festivals. Thanks a lot for making this such an incredible journey. “The Present” is based on a great little comic strip by the very talented Fabio Coala.

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The Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg, with its Animation Institute and the postgraduate masterclass Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris, is one of the internationally most acclaimed film and media schools. On a unique campus including the neighbouring Academy of Performing Arts, the 500 students receive an interdisciplinary, highly practical education close to the film and media market by the hands of over 300 freelance teachers directly from the industry.

A more detailed list of all the festival awards:
01. Int. Festival of Animation Cinema and Comics Cartoon Club - Cartoon Kids Award
02. Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival – Grand Prize Best Animation
03. FESA - Best Film for Children
04. Animago Award - Nominated for Best Short Film
05. Int. Student Film Festival Pisek – Special Jury Award
06. Animalada - Best Short Animated Film 2014, Jury Award
07. Anim Arte – Maxi Second place: Audience Award
08. 15 Short Film Festival – Jury Award Best Animation
09. PISAF – Audiences Prize (International)
10. International Family Film Festival – Best Foreign Short Animation
11. Enfoque, Int. Film Festival of Puerto Rico – Best Animation and Audience Choice Award
12. Filmschau Baden Wuerttemberg – Best Animation
13. El Corto del Ano - Special Jury Mention
14. Watersprite 2015 – Best Original Film Music
15. California International Shorts Festival – Best Animated Short
16. Short Tiger, Next Generation – Short Tiger Award
17. Landshuter Kurzfilmfestival – Audience Award Kids
18. Soul 4 Reel Festival – Best Animation
19. Canada International Film Festival - Best Animation
20. CMS Int. Children´s Film Festival – Special Mention
21. Monstronale – Int. Children Jury Award
22. Sehsuechte Int. Student Festival Konrad Wolf – Best Children Film
23. RiverRun International Film Festival – Best Student Animated Short
24. VAFI – MIDI Section First Prize
25. Newport Beach Film Festival – Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking
26. Timeline Film Festival – Filmmaker Award
27. Animayo Festival de Cine de Animacion – Director Award
28. Chile Monos Festival Internationcional de Animacion – Second Place Int. School Short Film Competition
29. Carmarthen Bay Film Festival – Best Animation
30. Int. Film Festival for Children & Youth - THE HERMÍNA TÝRLOVÁ AWARD FOR YOUNG ARTIST AGED UNDER 35
31. Rendezvous Festival – Best Animation
32. Accolade Global Film Competition - Award of Excellence Special Mention: Animation (Student)
33. Long Day Short Film – Grand Jury Prize
34. Animatio Curtas Vila do Conde IFF – Curtinhas Prize
35. Anima Mundi – Best short film for Children
36. Maramures International Film Festival 2015 - Audience Award
37. Real to Reel International Film festival – Best Student Animation
38. Giffoni Film Festival – Second Most Voted Film
39. Traverse City Film Festival – Audience Award for Best Kids Short
40. Ariano Film Festival – Best Animation
41. Int. Film Festival Nueva Mirada for Children and Youth - Golden Kite" Award
42. Joy House Film Festival – Media Super's Best Film
43. ArTelesia Film Festival – School and University Award
44. Summer Slam Film Festival – Best Animation Short
45. Catalina Film Festival – Best Animation Film
46. Sapporo Shorts Fest - Best Student Children Film Silver
47. Sapporo Shorts Fest - Best Student Director Award
48. AKUT – 2. Audience Award
49. NYLA International Film Festival - Best Animation
50. Austin Film Festival - Animated Short Audience Award
and more

[rozadosol]

It's all about perspective. Suddenly, he realizes that a few falls and stumbles isn't going to stop you from being happy

[everythingeverything]

In my opinion, I think the mom got him the dog so he can realize that he's not alone with his one leg, and that even though he's missing a limb, he doesnt have to be unhappy.

[whitebear]

You know what's amazing about this? The fact that in just one second, all our perspectives about the boy changes in an instant. We all thought it would be a stereotypical boy who seems to play inside too much.

[Luna-ftyh]

Well, good one.
I was raging at the beginning about the boy's reaction.
But the ending got me.
Not emotionally touched, but made me realise how quickly I judge other people's judgement.
Good work

[chabidey]

The happiest person in the world is not one who has everything he wants but who knows to smile in front of every obstacle. Live life

[Lavastorm]

I liked this story but did it trigger anyone else that HE DIDN'T CLOSE THE DOOR??

[fluffymilkpudding]

for the people who don't understand why the kid is so angry at the start, the short hints that the kid thought his mom got the dog to mock him (he says "you gotta be kidding me") and you have to realize a child like this will grow up with so many constant reminders of their disability. so he essentially thought this dog was just another way to remind him he's disabled, but he eventually realizes the dog is there to show him that his disability won't hold him back.

[NessLover]

If you take a close look at 1:48 you can see Oscar does not have a left leg even before the ending.

[billiefan]

Me: Beginning: YOU ARE SUCH A MONSTER


Me: End:

[srinisundarum]

The mother is a brilliant psychotherapist indeed!

[mjm]

It's really wonderful and heartwarming.

[woodchuck]

When i saw that dog with one leg missing then the kid is missing a leg, i couldn't help but burst in tears!

[hopeworldenthusiast.]

watching this at school for a project. most of us cried.

[ShadowTHEbacon]

who remmebered this and came here 2024

[mercuryblack]

(When boy kick the puppy)

Me: YOU JUST BLOODY KICK THE

[potatoavacadonion]

Seeing the dog and the boy together, fills you with determination

[prabinamoktan]

This shows how much dogs are loyal and beautiful than human!

[arakspaylan]

ı dont understand why could people not liking this, its so sweet

[vonalysongreg]

it's just the beginning of friendship--where two being relate and understand each other, commonly because they have similarities and tend to teach each other lessons ❤❤❤

[creationzikaz]

I liked it, didn't see that coming. Simple but effective, well done.