Screen Cuba Festival Supports Restoration of Elpidio Valdés Animated Shorts

The Colombian Film Heritage Foundation has confirmed to the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) that it has received new funding from the Screen Cuba Festival to continue restoring four additional animated shorts from Elpidio Valdés, the iconic creation of Cuban filmmaker Juan Padrón.

On Facebook, ICAIC President Alexis Triana described the news as “the best” as the institution marks the 65th anniversary of its Animation Studios.

“On behalf of the Cuban film movement, we are deeply grateful to Rob Miller’s team and the Cuba solidarity campaign in the United Kingdom for this extraordinary contribution, now in its second consecutive year,” Triana stated on the platform.

He noted that the funding comes from proceeds raised through screenings of Cuban films in cinemas across London and other parts of the UK.

Triana also highlighted that these latest restorations of shorts by the celebrated cartoonist and filmmaker—recipient of Cuba’s National Film Award in 2008—add to two Elpidio Valdés animations previously restored by the Colombian Film Heritage Foundation.