RUKELI, the animated short film directed by Alessandro Rak, received the award for Best Animated Character at the Corte dei Corti Film Festival 2026 for its protagonist Johann “Rukeli” Trollmann.

The film was presented on Saturday, September 19, starting at 2:00 PM, as part of the Short Film Showcase, at the Sala Ex Kaimano in Acqui Terme (AL), together with the other finalist short films of the festival’s fifth edition, which took place from September 18 to 20, 2026.

The Corte dei Corti Film Festival is dedicated to short-form cinema, with sections devoted to short films, animation, and documentaries, and awards presented by juries made up of industry professionals.

The recognition awarded to RUKELI particularly highlights the creation of its main character, inspired by Johann “Rukeli” Trollmann, a Sinti boxer persecuted by the Nazi regime. Through the language of animation, the film brings his story to the screen as a tale of identity, discrimination, memory, and resistance.

This new award adds another important milestone to the short film’s journey and to the many opportunities it has had to meet audiences at festivals in Italy and abroad.

Our thanks go to the Corte dei Corti Film Festival, the juries, and the audience in Acqui Terme for this recognition.

Follow the latest updates on RUKELI at antropica.org.