# Nayola

Nayola is a 2022 adult animated drama film directed by José Miguel Ribeiro in his directorial debut. It is based on the play A Caixa Preta by José Eduardo Agualusa & Mia Couto who co-wrote the script with Virgilio Almeida. It tells the story of 3 women from 3 generations who lived through the tragic period of the Angolan civil war. It is a co-production between Portugal, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

## Synopsis

Three generations of Angolan women in a 25-year civil war (1975-2002). Nayola goes to the interior of Angola during the Civil War, in search of her husband who was reported missing in action. Somehow, three people inadvertently connect to this quest.

## Voice cast

The actors participating in this film are:
* Elisângela Rita as Nayola
* Feliciana Délcia Guia as Yara
* Vitória Adelino Dias Soares as Avó Lelena
* Marinela Furtado as Masked Man
* Raul do Rosário as Shooter
* Catarina André as Soldier Woman
* Ângelo Torres as The Boy
* Ciomara Morais as Rapariga
* Diogo David
* Correia Adão
* Adorado Mara

## Release
### Festival

Nayola had its world premiere on June 13, 2022, at the 46th Annecy International Animation Film Festival, then screened on October 2, 2022, at the Hamburg Film Festival, on November 21, 2022, at the Bucheon International Animation Festival, on November 27, 2022, at the 33rd Singapore International Film Festival, on February 17, 2023, at the 42nd Brussels International Animated Film Festival, Anima and April 2, 2023, at the 47th Cleveland International Film Festival.

### Theatrical

It was released commercially on March 8, 2023, in French theaters to then expanded to the Angolan market on March 31, 2023 and Portuguese market on April 13, 2023.

## Reception
### Critical reception

Wendy Ide from Screen International wrote: "Nayola is bold and thrilling storytelling which combines its forceful message about the legacy of living through war with an almost mythic quality." Rob Alan from Backseat Mafia wrote: "Nayola is a moving animation which tracks three generations of women and the impact the war has on their lives [...] is impeccably made, featuring some inventive and beautiful animation."

### Accolades

| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2022 | Annecy International Animation Film Festival | Cristal for a Feature Film | Nayola | Nominated |
| 2022 | Guadalajara International Film Festival | Best International Animated Film | Nayola | Won |
| 2022 | São Paulo International Film Festival | New Directors Competition - Best Film | Nayola | Nominated |
| 2022 | São Paulo International Film Festival | Best International Fiction Film - Audience Award | Nayola | Won |
| 2022 | Silk Road International Film Festival | Best Animated Film | Nayola | Nominated |
| 2022 | Bucheon International Animation Film Festival | COCOMICS Music Prize | Nayola | Won |
| 2022 | Bucheon International Animation Film Festival | DHL Diversity Prize | Nayola | Won |
| 2023 | Brussels International Animated Film Festival, Anima | Best Feature Film | Nayola | Won |
| 2023 | Quirino Awards | Best Ibero-American Animated Feature Film | Nayola | Won |
| 2023 | Quirino Awards | Best Visual Development | Nayola | Nominated |
| 2023 | Stuttgart Intl. Festival of Animated Film | Best Animated Feature | Nayola | Won |
| 2024 | Platino Awards | Best Animated Film | Nayola | Nominated |