Špela Čadež

Špela Čadež is an animation director and co-founder of Finta Studio in Ljubljana, Slovenia. After graduating in Graphic Design in 2002, she continued her studies at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne, Germany. During her studies, she made two puppet animations that gained international recognition: Mate to Measure (2004) and Lovesick (2007). Since 2008, she has been working as an independent animation director and producer. Her films have been screened worldwide. Boles (2013) received 50 awards, distinctions and nominations including a Grand Prix at the DOK Leipzig and Best Debut Award at Hiroshima International Animation Festival. Nighthawk (2016) received more than 20 awards and distinctions including the Grand Prix at the Holland Animation Film Festival and Animafest Zagreb. Her latest film Steakhouse (2021) won several awards, including the Best Animation Technique Award at the 2021 Ottawa International Animation Festival and was also nominated in the independent short film category at the 2022 American Animation Awards. A passionate advocate for the analogue, Čadež has impressed with films in puppet and cut-out animation techniques.