Movie in Minoriti: Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light

Tony was born with a special quality - he glows. He spends his days at home because his overprotective parents won't let him out to protect him from the world. Hidden in his room, he dreams of friendship. But just before Christmas, a strange girl called Shelly arrives at their house. Her mother is the opposite of Tony's parents. A ballerina in the twilight of her fame, she hardly cares about her daughter, everything about her is superfluous. Tony's lush imaginative world and Shelly's determined fearlessness come together in a genuine friendship. Together they embark on an adventurous search for the origin of the mysterious bands of darkness that occasionally creep into the house and suck the light out of it.

This stop-motion puppet film continues the charming tradition of the Czech school of animation, which combines darkness with light and adventure with discreet humour.

Filip Pošivač graduated in animation from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. In 2015, he completed the short film Az po usi v mechu (Deep in Moss), which became a festival hit, and from which he created the web series Zive z mechu (Live from the Moss) a year later. His short film Pres palubu! (Overboard!) premiered at the Cinekid Festival in Amsterdam, renowned for its outstanding programme for children and young people, and his first feature film Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light is based on his first short film about the luminous Tony, O Tondovi, který svítil (2011).

Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light may be primarily aimed at a child audience, but with its family identity, it strikes a balance between slapstick humour and subtler wit and visual games to entertain adults too. The film also raises a broader social theme, appropriate for our polarised times, as it celebrates children's unique identities and highlights their acceptance of themselves. Not only does it encourage children to stand up for themselves and show courage, but it also encourages an open dialogue with parents, avoiding unimaginative educational morality.

Martin Kudláč, Cineuropa

Organisation and execution Kulturna četrt Minoriti, Lutkovno gledališče Maribor • programme selection partners Konzorcij Film in Maribor • programme supported by the Mestna občina Maribor.