VELISLAV KAZAKOV
Born in 1955 in Sofia, Bulgaria. In 1975 joined Animated Films Studio “Sofia” as Animator, then Director, Art Director on over 30 short films. Graduated in 1988 from National Academy of Theater and Cinema in Sofia with M.A. in Animation. In 1991-92 worked at Richard Williams Studios in London on “The Thief and the Cobbler”. Moved to Montreal in 1992 and did a lot of storyboards, layouts, timing direction and animation for many TV series, features and shorts. Cuckoo Animation released “Bugging the Bug” in 2004, “Overcast” in 2011 and currently has two new films in production.

AWARDS:

2018 - “Touch
- Bulgarian Filmmakers' Union Award at 14th World Festival of Animated Film 2018, Varna, Bulgaria.

2012 - “Bugging the Bug”
- Winner HAFFTube 2012 competition

2011 “Overcast”
- Award for Best Canadian Short Film - 35th World Film Festival, Montreal
- Special Award - Golden Kuker Sofia
- Special Mention - Banjalukanima
- Second prize “Silver Brick”, Animax Skopje Fest

1988 “Libido- Grand Prix, Student Films Festival in Munich, Germany

1987 “Snow White”, Commissioned by Bulgarian Red Cross—First prize ”Gold Medal”, International Red Cross Films Festival in Varna, Bulgaria

1984 “Cuckoo” - “Golden Mikeldi” for Animation, 26th International Short Films Festival in Bilbao, Spain.

1983 “Cuckoo” - First Prize in up-to-five minutes category, 3rd Animation World Film Festival “Varna ‘83” in Varna, Bulgaria

1981 “Self-Sacrifice- Debut Prize, Second Animation World Film Festival”Varna ‘81”, Varna, Bulgaria