# Claude Barras

Claude Barras (born 1973) is a Swiss director, producer, and writer.
Barras was born in Sierre, Switzerland. He studied illustration and computer graphics at Emile Cohl School in Lyon and 3D infographics at ECAL. He then received a degree in anthropology and digital images from Lumiere University. He works as a freelance illustrator in Geneva.
After his studies, Barras and his friend Cédric Louis co-founded Hélium Films. Under this production company, they’ve co-produced and sometimes co-directed multiple animated short films. Many of their films, like Land of the Heads (2008), have received awards and critical acclaim at numerous festivals.
Throughout his career, Barras directed several short films, including The Genie in a Ravioli Can (2006). Barras' first full-length animated feature, My Life as a Courgette (2016), was presented at the Director's Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival and received numerous awards at film festivals around the world. Switzerland submitted the film as a foreign-language entry for the 89th Academy Awards. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year but did not win.

## Filmography

In addition to directing, Barras has co-produced many of his films. He has also co-produced several other films, not by him. This includes La femme canon (2017), Birdz (2016), Imposter (2014), Un enfant commode (2013), and Monsieur l’assassin X (2012).

### Feature films

| Year | Title | Technique | Producer | Length | Notes |
| 2016 | My Life as a Courgette | stop-motion | Rita Productions / Blue Spirit Productions / Gebeka Films / KNM | 66m | |
| 2024 | Savages | stop-motion | Nadasdy Film / Haut et Court / Paniques! | 80m |
| tbd | You’re Not The One I Expected | stop-motion | Frane TV Distribution / Helium Films | tbd | Adapted from Ce N’est Pas Toi Que J’attendais by Fabien Toulmé |

### Short films

| Year | Title | Technique | Producer | Length | Notes |
| 2012 | Chambre 69 | stop-motion | Helium Films / RTS | 3m | |
| 2010 | Zucchini | stop-motion | Helium Films / Rita Productions / RTS | 3m | Pilot for My Life as a Courgette |
| 2008 | Land of the Heads | stop-motion | Helium Films / TSR / ONF / Animateka Lubjiana | 5m | Co-directed with Cédric Louis 2010 Audience Award – Slovenia, Australian International Film Festival 2009 |
| 2007 | Sainte Barbe | stop-motion | Helium Films / TSR / ONF | 8m | Co-directed with Cédric Louis |
| 2007 | Animatou | 2D animation | Studio GDS / Schwizgebel / RTS Radio Télévision Suisse / Studio GDS / Luyet | 6m | |
| 2006 | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | stop-motion | Helium Films / TSR | 7m |
| 2005 | Ice Floe | 2D animation | Helium Films / TSR | 6m35s | Co-directed with Cédric Louis |
| 2002 | Stigmates | 2D animation | Atelier Zérodeux | 3m30s |
| 1999 | Casting Queen | 3D animation | Ecal / Barrabas | 2m45s | |
| 1998 | Mélanie | 2D animation | Ecal / Barrabas | 4m22s | |

## Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2006 | Animatou, International Animation Film Festival | Kodak Audience Prize, Best Short Film | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | Won |
| 2006 | Australian International Film Festival | Golden Spotlight Award, Best Short Film | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | Won |
| 2006 | Curtocircuíto | «Kodak 35 mm» Award for the Best Short Film shot on 35 mm | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | Won |
| 2006 | Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival | New Talent Award | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | Won |
| 2006 | Festival du Film Romand in Geneva | Special Mention | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | Won |
| 2006 | Solothurn Film Festival | Audience Award SSA/Suissimage | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | Won |
| 2007 | European Youth Film Festival of Flanders | Best Short Film | The Genie in a Ravioli Can | Won |
| 2015 | Annecy International Animation Film Festival | Gan Foundation Aid for Distribution for a Work in Progress Award | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Angoulême Francophone Film Festival | Valois de Diamant | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Annecy International Animation Film Festival | Audience Award | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Annecy International Animation Film Festival | Cristal Award for Best Feature | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Cannes Film Festival | Directors' Fortnight | My Life as a Courgette | Nominated |
| 2016 | Delémont-Hollywood | Prix Opale | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | European Film Awards | Best Animated Feature Film | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Festival de l'écrit à l'écran | Audience Award | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Animated Feature Film | My Life as a Courgette | Nominated |
| 2016 | International Young Audience Film Festival Ale Kino! | Teacher's Jury Prize | My Life as a Courgette | Special mention |
| 2016 | Kinderfilmfestival/Institut Pitanga | Children's Jury Prize | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Lux Film Prize | Lux Prize | My Life as a Courgette | Nominated |
| 2016 | Melbourne International Film Festival | Audience Award | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Monstra Lisboa Animated Film Festival | Audience Award | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Monstra Lisboa Animated Film Festival | Grand Prix | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | San Sebastian International Film Festival | Audience Award for Best European Film | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2016 | Zurich Film Festival | Best Children's Film | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | Academy Awards | Best Animated Feature | My Life as a Courgette | Nominated |
| 2017 | Anifilm | Best Animated Feature Film for Children - International Competition | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | César Awards | Best Animated Film | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | Lumières Award | Best Animated Film | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | Prix Walo | Best Film Production | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | Swiss Film Award | Best Fiction Film | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | Trophées Francophones du Cinéma | Best Director | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | Trophées Francophones du Cinéma | Best Screenplay | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2017 | World Festival of Animated Films Zagreb | Mr. M – Feature Film Audience Award | My Life as a Courgette | Won |
| 2018 | British Academy Film Awards | Best Animated Film | My Life as a Courgette | Nominated |
| 2024 | Annecy International Animation Film Festival | Cristal Award for Best Feature | Savages | Nominated |
| 2024 | Locarno Film Festival | Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare | — | Won |