Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design

Interview with Red Dot juror Špela Čadež about creative writing

Špela Čadež is a freelance animation director and producer. She is known for her films Boles (2013) and Nighthawk (2016), among others. Her works have won several awards and are presented at international festivals. In 2018, she was appointed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars annually.

The Slovenian-born Red Dot juror spoke in an interview about her work, the creative process and what success means to her.

Red Dot juror Špela Čadež

Red Dot: If a child asks you what your job is, what do you say?

Špela Čadež: I would say I make animated films, like cartoons but the kind for adults. I draw a lot at work. And when I travel around the world, I watch animated films that other people have made.
 

What attributes other than “creative” would you give to your work?

My work is quite varied. It also covers a large part of what is not only creative, from teaching to managerial. But the creative part is still mostly there, and that's why I love it.

When did you realise that you had arrived professionally and that you had found your profession?

During my second studies, in Germany. There I fell in love with animation, it got under my skin and it was clear even then that I would never get rid of it.

You have been an independent animation director since 2008. What have you learned about yourself and your way of working since then?

Being independent comes at a price. With our studio we are constantly fighting windmills. But it has its advantages, of course. I can create what I want. And for me, this freedom is priceless.

Is there something or someone that has particularly influenced you professionally?

I could say it’s the whole family of independent animation. It’s a group of nice and humble people who inspire me over and over again.

As a filmmaker you work with many different materials and techniques. How do you start a project and decide which material and narrative style will work best for the new story?

I always match the technique and material to the story. It’s nice to create in a technique that interests you. That takes you in, so that you don’t know when the time has passed. And as long as I can enjoy the process, that’s how long I’ll keep making animated films.
 

“Ideas are always a process. If one looks like a dead end, it may have just opened the door for the next one.”
Špela Čadež during the jury session for the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design

Is there a dream project you would like to realise one day? 

I would like to paint large formats. That’s what I've been dreaming about lately.
 

In 2018 you were invited to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - did you accept? 

I did. As of 2018, I judge animated films that qualify for the Academy Awards.

Just getting the invitation is a sign of great success. What is the secret of your success?

I don’t think there are any secret recipes for success. It is just a path, a mosaic of events that follow each other. My films have been well received at festivals, both by the public and the profession. And that is my greatest reward.

There is certainly a lot to learn from someone with your professional experience. What advice do you give to young filmmakers?

My advice to young people is to be honest with who they are, not who they want to be. Because only as they are, they are unique. And if they find something they love to do, they have found the right path. It just needs to be followed persistently.

Submissions open until 16 June

Špela Čadež is part of the Red Dot jury in 2023 and evaluates the submissions in the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design. Entries to the competition will be accepted until 16 June 2023.

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