Two animated films from Glenna Burmer — Bippy the Little Robot and Nana korobi, Ya oki — took home Best Animation awards in May from the Tokyo Women Film Festival and the San Francisco Women Film Festival, both celebrating the artistry and creativity of women in film.
The two festivals selected award-winning films in a variety of genres and styles — from innovative animation and compelling shorts to thought-provoking dramas. By highlighting the emerging voices of women in film, festivals such as Tokyo and San Francisco provide a platform to showcase the diverse perspectives and talents of women in the industry, help promote female-driven narratives, and foster a more inclusive film landscape.
Tokyo Women Film Festival
Set against the dynamic backdrop of a city renowned for its blend of tradition and modernity, judges at the Tokyo Women Film Festival selected Nana korobi, Ya oki, for Best Animation. This short follows the path of a young girl in Hokkaido who overcomes seven trials to save an orphan during a snowstorm.
The film was created and produced by Glenna Burmer in collaboration with artistic director Gaby Breiter of Deep Sky Studios in Portland, Oregon. Burmer also composed the film’s original music.
Since its release in 2021, Nana korobi, Ya oki has received more than 60 awards from festivals around the globe, and was chosen to tour Great Britain in 2022 by the Women Over 50 Film Festival.
San Francisco Women Film Festival
Burmer’s second film, Bippy the Little Robot, received a Best Animation award from the San Francisco Women Film Festival, which celebrates talented filmmakers from around the globe and highlights stories by and about women.
Bippy the Little Robot hit the festival circuit in 2024. Burmer produced the film, composed the music, and created the concept and storyline. Design and post-production were provided by Deep Sky with animation by Imaginary Planet. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where forgotten machines dot the landscape. Within the ruins lives an irrepressible little trashcan named Bippy whose zest for life and love of music spread a message of hope and joy.
More about Glenna Burmer: A classical composer and award-winning concert and animated-film producer based in Seattle, Burmer’s music and original voice create compelling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. She continues to break boundaries with her storytelling – her next film, already in production, explores modern Yokai — Japanese spirits trapped in everyday household objects.