Špela Čadež

Špela Čadež, born in 1977, graduated in Graphic Design in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2002. She continued her studies at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, Germany, and has been working as an independent animation director and producer since 2008. Her films have been screened worldwide. “Boles” (2013) has received 50 awards, distinctions and nominations including a Grand Prix at the DOK Leipzig and Best Debut Award at Hiroshima International Animation Festival. Špela Čadež’ latest film “Nighthawk” (2016) has to date received 23 awards and distinctions including the Grand Prix at the Holland Animation Film Festival (HAFF) and Animafest Zagreb. It has been screened at international festivals such as Sundance Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Red Dot: Do you live by a certain philosophy?
Špela Čadež: I believe the best thing in life is to find work that you love doing. Then you don’t really go to work. I’m lucky to have a job like that.

What do you consider to be the main challenges but also the appeal of working as an animation director?
The biggest challenge is to have patience, to motivate the whole team and believe in the film through the long process of production.

How did you experience this year’s jury session for the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design?
Meeting with the other judges and having discussions in person cannot be replaced with online work. But we did our job as best as we could, so let’s all hope that our old reality comes back soon.