An award-winning crew
Six of them, six student ‘pirates’, conceived, concocted, developed and produced Œil pour Œil, the story of a one-eyed captain who goes on one adventure after another to capture a treasure, each time recruiting a crew that is just as one-eyed as he is.
Thomas Boileau, François Briantais, Robin Courtoise, Alan Guimont, Malcolm Hunt and Mathieu Lecroq couldn’t believe their eyes when the 2019 jury, chaired by Erik Smitt, Director of Photography at Pixar, and surrounded by a panel of some fifty professionals from nearly forty international studios, awarded them 1st prize. ” For a year, we were so into what we were doing that we didn’t even think about the prize. Above all, we wanted to have fun,” notes Thomas Boileau.
“I was a thousand miles from imagining that,” recalls Mathieu Lecroq. ” When you see all the hard work that goes into it, it makes you feel ten times more emotional,” adds François Briantais. ” It was the crowning glory,” enthuses Thomas Boileau. A consecration yes, but… not totally! The long adventure had only just begun. Another crown was placed on their heads that day: the People’s Choice Award. In fact, the public present on the big day voted it their favourite. A prize with a particularly special flavour!
Since that day in September 2019 at the Gaumont cinema in Odysseum, the work of our students in the Class of 2019 has travelled a long way.
Selected for the VES Awards, the biggest event dedicated to special effects
In November 2019, the film won a prize at the famous SPARK Animation in Vancouver, winning the ‘3D Student Film’ award. Even more glorious, Œil pour Œil has been shortlisted in the “Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project” category at the 2020 VES Awards! The special effects world’s equivalent of the Oscars! ” We said to ourselves, ‘They’ve got it wrong ‘,” says an astonished Alan Guimont.
The icing on the cake was that it was the only French student project to be chosen. It was also a first for ESMA, which saw one of its short films selected to take part in the event. Four of the co-directors, along with Yann Pannetier – teacher and head of department – travelled to Los Angeles for the occasion.
Film of the year at the 2020 Rookie Awards
A world-renowned competition for everything to do with digital imaging, the Rookies Awards are designed to bring together students from all the world’s top schools specialising in special effects, virtual reality, 3D animation, video games and more.
Œil pour Œil won the ‘Film of the Year – 3D animation’ category! A further accolade to add to its long list of festival selections and awards around the world.
In all, 39 festivals selected Œil pour Œil for their programmes. 14 prizes were awarded to ESMA students for their short film. ” It’s crazy “, says an astonished Robin Courtoise. ” After a year, we’re still winning awards here and there. I think it’s incredible “, concludes Malcolm Hunt.
Ongoing series…
An eye for an eye, the directors reveal their views
Find out more about the 6 directors in a special video. They tell us all about the adventure that was Œil pour Œil.
The film
For those who have not yet seen the film, it is available here in its entirety.