Agrinoui

A refreshing animation combined with a warm story of newfound friendship and an unexpected romp through the Cyprus countryside.

The story line flowed smoothly starting with all the well thought out characters. The underlying message as well as the fun escapades these unlikely new friends go through was portrayed extremely well.

I was laughing quite a few times throughout this well-woven short animation film. Kudos to the voice-over actors along with the score.

Julia Parker, Festigious International Film Festival 2016

Director's note: Chaviaras makes it very easy for the viewers to care about his characters.

Agrinoui won an Honorable Mention at Festigious 2016.

'Agrinoui' is a one of a kind piece. This short animation is one of the most influential and educational films we've had in our competition so far: the story of some animals meeting in a deserted place in Cyprus and discussing their own problems. Each and every one of them has a story to tell and a lesson to be learned from that story. In less than twenty minutes these animals are one hundred percent more educational than most of the educational systems that are used on our children nowadays. ​ This short is for the whole family – educational and motivational at the same time, each member of the family has something to learn from it. If this short is screened in schools, the next generation will have lots of things to learn and maybe this messed up world would become a better place. ​ The score is very good and adequate, the animation is flawless the characters are perfectly created and voiced. But our greatest mention goes to the edit – amazingly done! ​ Coming back to the story, we really want to insist upon this: in modern times, cartoons are pretty violent and not all the time educational. For us, this is not good or helpful because we can see this generation, the so called "millenials", and how they have grown up. But with examples as in 'Agrinoui' we are pretty sure that the next generation of animation enthusiasts (and not only them) can grow up in a perfect balance. ​ One side of the story that really caught our attention was the one of the flamingo that flew from Antwerp and landed exactly near the racing horse that was thinking of quitting this business. The first discussion they had was very inspirational and motivating. Also, as the movie goes by, we see the racing horse in a quest of discovering itself through, basically, a complete training that made it, in the end, the best in the race. We were captivated! If the new generations of filmmakers will make more animated movies like Alexis Chaviaras did, maybe we have a chance to see a change in this crooked world. ​

Olympia is a young racehorse who decides to escape from the race world because she's afraid to disappoint her strict father. He has no compassionate for her failure and doesn't understand her wishes. Olympia begins a journey where she meets a team of funny characters who, like her, escaped for their own personal reasons from other horrible places.

Through beautiful landscapes and inspiring spots, the small team shares their experiences together and she learns how to be self confident and believe in herself. A beautiful and simple tale addressed to children that teaches us that there is always a solution and the importance of trusting ourselves. The film is also pertinent to the adult world as it reflects the pressures that quite often children are put under by.

Other significant teachings come from the journey, like the importance of playing for the pleasure of participating and not just with the purpose to win, as well as the teaching of not giving up at the first difficulty. Beautiful music and nice aesthetics.

Daniel Lucato/Cult Critic/CICFF

The animation category was filled with amazing and so diversed types of animation - I think yours in one way the most traditional. The story was really charming and the animation itself was really great, it does feels animated but the details in the characters (or rather say animals?) is pretty credible. Kudos on that!

After a long time, I have seen this kind of project. The animation was superb. I really enjoyed it and it's really appreciable. I suggest seeing this project at least one time. Really a great one. Waiting to see another masterpiece.

After a long time, I have seen this kind of project. The animation was superb. I really enjoyed it and it's really appreciable. I suggest seeing this project at least one time. Really a great one. Waiting to see another masterpiece.

After a long time, I have seen this kind of project. The animation was superb. I really enjoyed it and it's really appreciable. I suggest seeing this project at least one time. Really a great one. Waiting to see another masterpiece.