Two young animators have picked up international accolades at the Hamburg Animation Awards. The awards included a special Country Award for aspiring artists in New Zealand.

Austin Hillebrecht won the Country Award for his animation Missing Sock and Auckland animator Mark Smith was highly commended in the same category for his animation (pictured) Das Versuchstier (the experimental animal).Two young animators have picked up international accolades at the Hamburg Animation Awards. The awards included a special Country Award for aspiring artists in New Zealand.

Austin Hillebrecht won the Country Award for his animation Missing Sock and Auckland animator Mark Smith was highly commended in the same category for his animation (pictured) Das Versuchstier (the experimental animal).Austin Hillebrecht is an international student from the USA, who graduated from Lifeway College's 3D animation course in Warkworth in 2007. His animation, The Missing Sock, follows a little boy as he uncovers a hidden world inside his dryer, where lost socks are taken.

Mark Smith graduated from Media Design School in Auckland in March 2007 and now works for Weta Productions. His animation, Das Versuchstier (the experimental animal), tells the story of a robot doctor who tests little blue creatures for their worthiness for toyshop shelves.

Twenty-seven animators (25 from the Auckland region) entered their films to be in with a chance to win a cash prize of about NZ$3900 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Hamburg to attend the award ceremony.

Selection for the Country Award came about through Auckland City Council's strategic alliance with Hamburg, signed in May 2007. Hamburg was chosen as a partner for Auckland because of similarities in business sectors such as biotechnology and creative industries, as well as its vast waterfront revitalisation programme.

Councillor Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, chairperson of the City Development committee, says, "This award was a fantastic opportunity for animators and film-makers from our country to be recognised on the international stage.

"The creative world is important to both our cities and is why we are pleased to be involved in this way. This opportunity is a clear example of how Auckland and Hamburg can work together and provide benefits to each other and is a real tribute to New Zealand talent."

The Hamburg Animation Award 2008 was open to students and alumni within three years of graduating. It was promoted by Auckland City Council in the Auckland region and the Goethe-Institut in Wellington nationally.

New Zealand animators are now automatically eligible for entry to main award categories for the annual Hamburg event in the future.

02/07/08