On July 3 and 7, thesis film screenings for graduates of the «Animation, CGI, and Visual Effects» program at the HSE Art and Design School took place in the summer space «Sfera X5» in Gorky Park. There was such a large number of excellent works that the screenings were spread over two evenings. The program featured a wide variety of films—from intimate and lyrical to ironic and absurd, dynamic and contemplative.
The program lasted nearly three hours. Viewers saw 31 graduation films. These works varied greatly in technique, genre, and tone, but each represented the culmination of several years of study and independent artistic development.
These two evenings allowed the creators to see their films not as part of a defense presentation, but on a large screen, surrounded by an audience—friends, colleagues, professors, and everyone who came to learn about the new student animation. For many, this was the first time their work met a wide audience and the first opportunity to hear a live reaction to the film outside the university walls.
Following the screenings, the 2×2 television channel recognized two films and presented custom merchandise to their creators. Among the favorites were Daria Starchenko’s «Ritual» and Anna Grigoryan’s «Details.»
«Ritual» is a film about an ordinary yet fragile routine, where every action holds its place. Gradually, the familiar order begins to crumble, and the repetitive movements and shifting rhythm drive the story toward its climax. 2×2 specifically highlighted the film’s dynamism and the expressive style of the animation.
«Details» tells the story of a robot mail carrier who tries to become better but gradually loses her individuality in the pursuit of perfection. Her body changes, her desire to be first grows stronger, and in the mirror, she eventually sees a reflection that is no longer her own. 2×2 noted the film’s relevant theme and how the shifting color palette conveys the protagonist’s inner state.
Congratulations to all graduates on successfully defending their theses! We hope that for many of these films, public screenings at Sphere X5 are just the beginning of a long journey—festivals, new projects, and studio work lie ahead. We are already preparing to welcome graduates among the creators of new animation hits.
