"The Route" Selected For Prestigious Grand Competition At Animafest Zagreb

“The Route” Selected for Prestigious Grand Competition at Animafest Zagreb

A Haunting Tale of Duty and Despair to Compete Among the World's Best Animated Short Films

The animated short film The Route, distributed by Raft Film Company, has been selected to compete in the Grand Competition - Short Film category at the esteemed Animafest Zagreb. Directed by Babak Beigi, the film explores the psychological turmoil of a truck driver who must confront the horrifying reality of his duty. The selection at Animafest, one of the world's oldest and most respected animation festivals, marks a significant achievement for the film and its creative team.

Animafest Zagreb

We are thrilled to announce that *The Route*, an animated short film distributed by Raft Film Company, has been officially selected to participate in the Grand Competition – Short Film category at the renowned World Festival of Animated Film Zagreb, commonly known as Animafest Zagreb. This prestigious event, held annually in Zagreb, Croatia, is a key highlight in the global animation calendar and stands as the second-oldest festival of its kind, following the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

The Route, a haunting and thought-provoking animation directed by Babak Beigi, delves into the harrowing experience of a truck driver tasked with a gruesome mission—transporting victims to their final moments at the hands of a firing squad. Set against the backdrop of a bleak, desolate world, the film explores the psychological turmoil of the protagonist as he struggles to suppress the grim reality around him. However, one fateful night forces him to confront the horrifying truth of his role in the cycle of violence.

This selection marks a significant achievement for our team, reflecting our commitment to bringing bold and impactful stories to the screen. The film’s powerful narrative is brought to life by a talented team, including Babak Beigi, who not only wrote and directed the piece but also served as the character designer, storyboard artist, animator, editor, colorist, and producer. The atmospheric sound design by Zohreh Aliakbari, evocative background painting by Denag Malekian, and compelling score by Tohid Foruzan further enhance the film’s immersive and haunting quality.

Animafest Zagreb, established in 1972, is recognized for celebrating the art of animation and has a storied history of showcasing innovative and compelling works from around the world. Being selected for the Grand Competition is an honor that places The Route among some of the finest animated short films of the year.

We are incredibly proud of the entire creative team, including producers Raha Zandiyeh, Pooria Khalaj Tehrani, and Babak Beigi, for their dedication and hard work in bringing this challenging and poignant story to life. We eagerly anticipate the film’s reception at Animafest Zagreb and look forward to sharing this powerful story with a global audience.

Stay tuned for more updates as The Route continues its journey through the international festival circuit.

“The Route” Selected for Prestigious Grand Competition at Animafest Zagreb

The animated short film The Route, distributed by Raft Film Company, has been selected to compete in the Grand Competition – Short Film category at the esteemed Animafest Zagreb. Directed by Babak Beigi, the film explores the psychological turmoil of a truck driver who must confront the horrifying reality of his duty. The selection at Animafest, one of the world’s oldest and most respected animation festivals, marks a significant achievement for the film and its creative team.