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Birth
Directed by: Signe Baumane *
Animation | 2008 | 12min
Italy, New York
www.signebaumane.com
Amina, a young woman (17) is pregnant and afraid to give birth. For a consolation and advise she goes to older women, but their stories scare her even more.
Screening Times: Shorts Block D @ Sinclair Auditorium
9:15pm Wednesday 6/16
5:00pm Thursday 6/17
5:00pm Saturday 6/19
About the Director:
Signe was born in Latvia and educated in Moscow. She has BA degree in Philosophy.
Although she was a published writer since age 14, philosophy inspired Signe to turn to an animated story telling. She started to work at Riga's Animated Film Studio at the lowest possible position - cell painter. In few years she gained enough experience to write, direct, design 3 animated shorts, produced at the studio on government grants. The films were recognized at the international festival circle. Signe had a good reputation as a new Latvian animation director. Longing for a stronger challenge and a bigger pond, Signe left Riga in 1995 for New York, where she started to work at independent animation star Bill Plympton's studio at the lowest possible position - cell painter. In few years she gained enough experience of the wild capitalism to start producing film on her own and in 2002 she left Bill's studio to start her own small studio.
Since her arrival to New York she has produced and co-produced, written, directed and designed more than 14 independent animated shorts. Signe has also continued her collaboration with Latvia's leading animation studio - Rija Films where she directed 2 of her own stories since 1995, and Pierre Poire Productions that produced her most successful films "Teat Beat of Sex" and "Birth". Her films have been screened at such prestigious festivals as Annecy, Tribeca, Sundance, Berlin, Ottawa, Venice and they have received numerous awards. Signe is a member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a Fellow in Film from the New York Foundation for the Arts. Besides her own career Signe is also interested in promoting other people's work.
She advises series of film festivals in USA on their animation programs, as well as she curates special shows where she personally presents films and filmmakers. Animation is a passion for Signe, as well as a lifestyle.
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