The Armenian-French co-production Zako scooped the prestigious Eurimages Co-Production Development Award (worth €20,000) at this year’s Cartoon Movie, which ran in Bordeaux from 4-6 March (see the news). A few days later, we caught up with Tigran Araqelyan and Susanna Khachatryan, the director and producer of the winning project. During our chat, the creative duo unpacked the concept of Zako, its main themes, its target audience and their next steps.

Cineuropa: How would you describe the concept of Zako, and what are the main themes tackled in the project?
Tigran Araqelyan: Zako is a story about the transformative power of art in the face of unimaginable adversity. It follows the journey of Armenian artist Sarkis Mangasaryan [nicknamed “Zako” by the German soldiers], who survived a military camp during World War II through his extraordinary talent for drawing. Moreover, the current geopolitical situation tells us that little has changed since Zako’s time during World War II. At its heart, Zako is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of art to preserve freedom, humanity and hope, even in the darkest moments, while we strive to leave a legacy of goodness for the future generations.

What is the target audience you’ll be aiming to intercept?
Susanna Khachatryan: Our primary target audience is adults, particularly those interested in historical dramas, art and untold stories from World War II. Zako will appeal to viewers who appreciate films like Josep [+leggi anche:
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scheda film], which blend history with a deeply personal perspective. Additionally, the film holds strong educational value for researchers, historians and anyone exploring the impact of World War II on Soviet countries. With its artistic depth and strong historical foundation, Zako is also well-suited for festival audiences, cultural institutions and arthouse cinema enthusiasts.

How will you use the prize money you won?
SK: The prize money will go towards finalising the script and further developing the storyboard. Our main goal is to complete the development phase and transition into pre-production by 2026.

How important do you think your participation in Cartoon Movie was, overall?
SK: I truly believe that our journey to success began at Cartoon Movie 2023, where we first pitched Zako at the early-concept stage. That moment was a turning point – it helped us bring our French co-producer, Ron Dyens, on board, opening the door to a co-production with one of France’s most artistically renowned companies and an Oscar-winning producer.

Over the past two years, our close collaboration has strengthened the project, and the progress has been undeniable. This year, our second pitch at Cartoon Movie exceeded all expectations. Winning the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award is not just about financial support; it’s an acknowledgement of the growth of our animation industry and a major step forward for Zako. It opens up new opportunities for development, attracts more attention to the project and helps us secure the funding needed to bring this important story to life.

What can you tell us about the visual concept for the project?
TA: The visual concept of Zako is rooted in the graphic novel created by Zako’s son, which serves as a key inspiration for the film’s aesthetic. This provides a foundation for building the entire visual world, contrasting two central locations: the grim, oppressive atmosphere of the military camp, reflecting the horrors of war, and the serene yet restrictive beauty of the village of Vachagan, set against the majestic Khustup mountain.

Additionally, we are utilising VR technology, a cutting-edge tool in animation, to craft a unique aesthetic that enhances the storytelling. This approach not only transforms the creative process, but also demonstrates how innovative, transferable technologies can bring emotional depth and immersive richness to animated films.

What’s next for you?
TA: The next step is completing the pre-production stage, which will provide us with a clear roadmap for collaboration with our co-producers and establishing workflows across several countries. This is a highly ambitious project, and we are meticulously refining every aspect of the process to ensure that we move forwards with confidence and deliver the best possible results. Additionally, we are focused on building a strong creative team that shares our vision and dedication to bringing Zako to life.

Do you know when the film will be ready?
SK: Our goal is to complete pre-production within a year, transition into production by 2026-2027, and target a release by late 2028 or early 2029. Of course, this timeline depends on the success of our fundraising efforts, but we are confident in our vision, our team and the strong interest the project has already generated.