Doha Film Institute will co-finance Loving Vincent, the world’s first fully painted feature film and an ode to the artist Vincent Van Gogh.
The film’s 65,000 frames are each separate oil paintings, hand done by 125 artists who travelled from around the globe to the studios of Loving Vincent in Poland and Greece. The film was shot first as a live-action film, where the actors filmed either against green screens or inside sets that were dressed up as Van Gogh paintings. These scenes then became references for the painting animators.
DFI has been involved with the project since its early stages.
“At the Doha Film Institute, we actively explore opportunities to partner with such ambitious ventures that push the boundaries of film making. Combining art and cinema like no other film, Loving Vincent will serve as an inspiration for emerging and established filmmakers and artists alike,” said chairperson of DFI and Qatar Museums, Shaikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Loving Vincent features performances by actors Douglas Booth, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jerome Flynn and Chris O’Dowd. The film, written and directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, will premiere at the 2017 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France (June 12-17).
“Despite the grass roots support from people around the world, it wasn’t easy to find industry partners for Loving Vincent, as many film funders were too cautious to risk being part of something so new. Thankfully we found some special and courageous individuals who believed in us,” said Welchman.
“We thank Her Excellency and the team at Doha Film Institute for their support to this passion project, that will not only entertain but also inspire and inform global audiences about the extraordinary paintings and no less extraordinary life of Vincent Van Gogh.”
DFI’s previous co-financed films include The Salesman, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, The Idol, The Reluctant Fudnamentalist and May in the Summer.
DFI is an independent, not-for-profit cultural organisation that supports the growth of the local and global film community.
