Supertoon is an animation and comics festival held in Šibenik, Croatia, and Kámen Osudu (The Stone of Destiny) by Julie Černá from the Studio of Animation and Film at UMPRUM is competing for awards in both of its forms — as an animated musical and as a comic trilogy. The short animated film Kámen Osudu has been selected for the festival’s student film competition. The book edition achieved the same success, having been included in the Comic Book Competition selection. Only six comics were shortlisted for the final round, including Kámen Osudu.
The Supertoon International Animation and Comics Festival specializes in short animated films and authorial comic publications and takes place every summer in the Adriatic city of Šibenik, Croatia. Its 16th edition will run from 20 to 24 July 2026 and will present more than 200 of the newest and most compelling short animated films from around the world in its competition programme. Festival visitors will also be able to enjoy a selection of contemporary authorial comics competing for the award for Best Comic.
Kámen Osudu was created by Julie Černá from the Studio of Animation and Film as her bachelor’s graduation project. The lyrical animated musical follows the story of an anthropomorphised Stone of Destiny who feels increasingly confined by its home. Driven by a longing for freedom, the Stone embarks on a journey filled with mysterious encounters and hidden symbols. Alongside newly found liberty, the singing Stone is also accompanied by fear of failure. It settles in a seaside villa, but even there, pursued by shadows of doubt, it cannot find comfort. The narrative, exploring themes of understanding, beauty, and loneliness, draws on the author’s own experiences.
The film is distinguished by its highly original musical and lyrical component created by performer Johana Novotná, who performs under the artistic pseudonym Johuš Matuš. The resulting musical form is playful, humorous, and marked by bizarre exaggeration.
The comic book that became the basis for the film adaptation won the Magnesia Award at the annual Muriel comic book awards in 2022.
Its animated adaptation has been even more successful, receiving recognition at both domestic and international festivals. It had its world premiere in the prestigious Berlinale Shorts competition. Among its awards are the Jury Prize in the graduation films competition at this year’s Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF 2025) in South Korea, the Jury Prize for Best Student Film at the Sea Slug Animation Festival in Seattle, a Special Mention at the German international festival Sehsüchte, and a Special Mention from the international jury at Anifilm in Liberec, the Czech Republic’s largest animation film festival.
The film has also received numerous nominations, including Best Short Film at the Czech Film Critics’ Awards, Best Animated Film at the Czech Lion Awards, a shortlist nomination for the Magnesia Award for Best Student Film, and the Golden Kingfisher Award at the Finále Plzeň festival.
