Claude Barras (born 1973) is a Swiss director, producer, and writer.

Claude Barras

Barras was born in Sierre, Switzerland. He studied illustration and computer graphics at Emile Cohl School in Lyon and 3D infographics at ECAL. He then received a degree in anthropology and digital images from Lumiere University. He works as a freelance illustrator in Geneva.

After his studies, Barras and his friend Cédric Louis co-founded Hélium Films. Under this production company, they’ve co-produced and sometimes co-directed multiple animated short films. Many of their films, like Land of the Heads (2008), have received awards and critical acclaim at numerous festivals.

Throughout his career, Barras directed several short films, including The Genie in a Ravioli Can (2006). Barras' first full-length animated feature, My Life as a Courgette (2016), was presented at the Director's Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival and received numerous awards at film festivals around the world. Switzerland submitted the film as a foreign-language entry for the 89th Academy Awards. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year but did not win.

Filmography

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In addition to directing, Barras has co-produced many of his films. He has also co-produced several other films, not by him. This includes La femme canon (2017), Birdz (2016), Imposter (2014), Un enfant commode (2013), and Monsieur l’assassin X (2012).

Feature films

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Year Title Technique Producer Length Notes
2016 My Life as a Courgette stop-motion Rita Productions / Blue Spirit Productions / Gebeka Films / KNM 66m
2024 Savages stop-motion Nadasdy Film / Haut et Court / Paniques! 80m
tbd You’re Not The One I Expected stop-motion Frane TV Distribution / Helium Films tbd Adapted from Ce N’est Pas Toi Que J’attendais by Fabien Toulmé[1]

Short films

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Year Title Technique Producer Length Notes
2012 Chambre 69 stop-motion Helium Films / RTS 3m
2010 Zucchini stop-motion Helium Films / Rita Productions / RTS 3m Pilot for My Life as a Courgette
2008 Land of the Heads stop-motion Helium Films / TSR / ONF / Animateka Lubjiana 5m Co-directed with Cédric Louis
2010 Audience Award – Slovenia, Australian International Film Festival 2009
2007 Sainte Barbe stop-motion Helium Films / TSR / ONF 8m Co-directed with Cédric Louis
2007 Animatou 2D animation Studio GDS / Schwizgebel / RTS Radio Télévision Suisse / Studio GDS / Luyet 6m
2006 The Genie in a Ravioli Can stop-motion Helium Films / TSR 7m
2005 Ice Floe 2D animation Helium Films / TSR 6m35s Co-directed with Cédric Louis
2002 Stigmates 2D animation Atelier Zérodeux 3m30s
1999 Casting Queen 3D animation Ecal / Barrabas 2m45s
1998 Mélanie 2D animation Ecal / Barrabas 4m22s

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2006 Animatou, International Animation Film Festival Kodak Audience Prize, Best Short Film The Genie in a Ravioli Can Won [2]
Australian International Film Festival Golden Spotlight Award, Best Short Film Won [2]
Curtocircuíto «Kodak 35 mm» Award for the Best Short Film shot on 35 mm Won [2]
Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival New Talent Award Won [2]
Festival du Film Romand in Geneva Special Mention Won [2]
Solothurn Film Festival Audience Award SSA/Suissimage Won [2]
2007 European Youth Film Festival of Flanders Best Short Film Won [2]
2015 Annecy International Animation Film Festival Gan Foundation Aid for Distribution for a Work in Progress Award My Life as a Courgette Won [3]
2016 Angoulême Francophone Film Festival Valois de Diamant Won [3]
Annecy International Animation Film Festival Audience Award Won [3]
Cristal Award for Best Feature Won [3]
Cannes Film Festival Directors' Fortnight Nominated [3]
Delémont-Hollywood Prix Opale Won [3]
European Film Awards Best Animated Feature Film Won [3]
Festival de l'écrit à l'écran Audience Award Won [3]
Golden Globe Awards Best Animated Feature Film Nominated [3]
International Young Audience Film Festival Ale Kino! Teacher's Jury Prize Special mention [3]
Kinderfilmfestival/Institut Pitanga Children's Jury Prize Won [3]
Lux Film Prize Lux Prize Nominated [3]
Melbourne International Film Festival Audience Award Won [3]
Monstra Lisboa Animated Film Festival Audience Award Won [3]
Grand Prix Won [3]
San Sebastian International Film Festival Audience Award for Best European Film Won [3]
Zurich Film Festival Best Children's Film Won [3]
2017 Academy Awards Best Animated Feature Nominated [3]
Anifilm Best Animated Feature Film for Children - International Competition Won [3]
César Awards Best Animated Film Won [3]
Lumières Award Best Animated Film Won [3]
Prix Walo Best Film Production Won [3]
Swiss Film Award Best Fiction Film Won [3]
Trophées Francophones du Cinéma Best Director Won [3]
Best Screenplay Won[a] [3]
World Festival of Animated Films Zagreb Mr. M – Feature Film Audience Award Won [3]
2018 British Academy Film Awards Best Animated Film Nominated [3]
2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival Cristal Award for Best Feature Savages Nominated [4]
Locarno Film Festival Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare Won [5]

Notes

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  1. ^ Awarded alongside Germano Zullo, Morgan Navarro, and Céline Sciamma.

References

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  1. ^ "You're Not the One I Expected | Cartoon Movie". Cartoon. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Le Génie De La Boite De Raviolis". Swiss Films. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Ma vie de Courgette". Swiss Films. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  4. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie. "Sarah Snook Picture 'Memoir Of A Snail', Terry Gilliam Set For Annecy With 'Transformers One', 'Despicable Me 4′,'Inside Out 2' & 'Moana 2' – Full Lineup". Deadline. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Claude Barras to Receive the Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare at Locarno77". Locarno Film Festival. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
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