In June, Glenna Burmer’s animated film Nana korobi, Ya oki, was selected as an award winner in the Best Animated Short Film category at the Newfort International Film Festival in Tamil Nadu, India.
This charming story about a young girl in Hokkaido who overcomes seven trials to save an orphan during a snowstorm was created and produced by Glenna Burmer with assistance from artistic director Gaby Breiter of Deep Sky Studios in Portland, Oregon. The original music featuring woodwinds and strings was composed by Glenna Burmer and recorded by Dynamedion in Germany.
Tamil Nadu, located in southern India, is known for its classical dance and music as well as its interest in film. Newfort is one of several international film festivals which have selected Nana korobi as an award winner. The other festivals were the London International Film Festival and the Toronto Women Film Festival.
Nana korobi, Ya oki uses a dreamy animation style that reflects sumi-e art, a Japanese artistic style which employs black ink and distinctive brush strokes. The style was chosen as a tribute to Burmer’s mother, who was a sumi-e artist.