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The Vision Behind the Awards Atmosphere and Experience An International Jury with a Local Soul Who Won in 2021? Looking Ahead6 min read
On October 23, 2021, the rooftop of a creative venue in the heart of Kyiv became the gathering place for the brightest talents in animation. For the second year in a row, Darvideo Awards brought together professionals from across Ukraine and beyond to celebrate excellence in 2D and 3D animation, stop-motion, motion design, and other creative fields related to animation and visual storytelling.
The Vision Behind the Awards
Launched by Darvideo Animation Studio, a company founded in 2009 that grew from a small Kyiv-based studio into an international animation partner, Darvideo Awards was created to recognize the achievements of peers and support the growth of the local creative industry.
The organizer of the awards and jury head Yuriy shared a key thought “Together with our creative team, we envisioned this award as a way to inspire specialists to grow professionally – to push their creative boundaries and never stop exploring new ideas”
Each year, with support from sponsors and partners, the studio announces an open call for submissions during the summer, selects a shortlist in key categories, and holds the award ceremony in October.
Eligibility and Categories
Darvideo Awards is open to freelancers and creative teams – from writers and illustrators to sound designers and project managers.
The jury selects three main winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Projects are chosen based on jury voting and awarded custom-designed statuettes and cash prizes. Teams behind the winning entries take the stage to receive congratulations from their peers.
In addition to the top three awards, special recognitions are granted annually for specific roles or contributions – such as a Social Impact Award for documentary work. This flexible format highlights not only jury favorites but also noteworthy trends and discoveries in the industry.
Atmosphere and Experience
As the sun set over Kyiv, guests mingled with cocktails, enjoyed music, and watched a curated selection of the year’s best animated works on a large screen. Before the winners were announced, each finalist had the opportunity to pitch their project, receive jury feedback, and connect with potential collaborators in a relaxed rooftop networking session.
An International Jury with a Local Soul
Darvideo Awards prides itself on equal opportunities and a diverse, inclusive jury.
The jury was led by Yuriy Polyashko, and included top Ukrainian motion directors, marketing professionals (like prominent Ukrainian Director Orest Smilyanets responsible for 2D animation direction and evaluation), and producers from agencies like NSG, Media Post, and animation studios such as Karandash and Lisenbart.
International jurors included:
- Rick Livingston – Encyclopædia Britannica (UK)
- Vincent Dolzal – Muthmedia (Germany)
- Susan Harris – Fluent Studios (California, USA)
- Robert Lechman – Crow Creative Agency (USA)
This global presence helped position Darvideo Awards as a platform where Ukrainian professionals are judged by international standards – and inspired to grow beyond them.
Who Won in 2021?
🥉 Third Place went to Virtual Metric, a stunningly elegant visualization project. With its fluid transitions, immersive 3D dashboards, and smart interface design, it turned raw data into digital art.
🥈 Second Place was awarded to Terra Initia, a heartfelt 2D stop-motion animation exploring the centuries-old traditions of Georgian winemaking. Every frame felt alive, rich with culture, soulful color palettes, and immersive sound design.
🥇 First Place and the Grand Prize went to IG Cov, a playful and dynamic commercial showcasing innovative hygiene devices for hotels. The blend of humor, vibrant characters, and multilingual adaptation (English, French, German, Spanish) made it stand out on an international scale. A special mention was given to Anton Vakhrushev, the invited animator from Uzbekistan, whose craftsmanship added a unique charm to the piece.
Looking Ahead
The Darvideo Awards has firmly established itself as a key event for the animation community. It motivates creators to reach new heights, opens international doors, and nurtures creative exchange.
Submissions for Darvideo Awards 2022 will open in the next season – so now is the perfect time to begin crafting bold, meaningful projects that could become the next winners on this one-of-a-kind platform.
Let me know if you’d like a short version for your website, press release format, or include visual highlights or jury quotes!
