Interview with Daney Alanes – “The Strongest” (Jury Choice Award)

What inspired you to tell the story of The Strongest?
Daney Alanes: – I wanted to tell a story that gets super emotional in one point, even if it’s a bit embarrassing the main core of the story I wanted to tell is there, what does it really mean being the strongest for this characters

How did you approach the storytelling in a way that resonated with the jury?
Daney Alanes: –I wanted to tell a big story in short time, so many details of the life of the characters it is implied, but I wanted the dialogues to be really direct

What were the biggest challenges you faced during production?
Daney Alanes: –I guess doing it by myself, I got help with sound effects, and a cg model, voices and editing, but all was done by me in clip studio paint, I’m learning working with more people, my editor really save me in the end, so it is important work with more people

How does it feel to win the Jury Choice Award?
Daney Alanes: –The fact that any person takes their time to watch my film makes me happy

How did you ensure that the message of strength and resilience was central to the film?
Daney Alanes: –I guess its like a man thing, or more like really human, just keep going forward, I tried to tell that in the credits too

What do you think makes The Strongest stand out to audiences and jurors alike?
Daney Alanes: –I guess it has many elements that make it kind of original, color pallet, character design, it is in Spanish, and in a made up world that we only get to see 7 minutes of, I would like to believe it is the passing, and rewatching it makes you notice some details

How did you balance the technical aspects of filmmaking with emotional storytelling?
Daney Alanes: –Well, I set my mind in finishing the film, I got the core first, and I wanted to be a bit flexible cause that is how animation productions goes with last minute changes, but I got the emotional core and vibe of the film first then I went for the daily work of getting 1 shot at the time, that was my philosophy

What message do you hope viewers take away from The Strongest?
Daney Alanes: –I have not thought about that, wow, maybe hug your family, or they can learn the different types of strength that exist

What’s next for you in your filmmaking journey?
Daney Alanes: – Currently my next projects are getting other 2d film done and I wanted it to be fully musical, so I need a band with j-rock vibes, so luckily, I will be back in 1 to 2 years with other film

How has this award impacted your career as a filmmaker?
Daney Alanes: – It happened so recently so I will see, as I say I’m happy that people take their time to watch, I am really grateful about that.