Ministry of Culture Highlights Global Success of Lola and the Sound Piano
Lola and the Piano of Noises (Lola et le Piano à bruits), internationally known as Lola and the Sound Piano, has continued to capture worldwide attention, and its achievements were recently spotlighted at a high-profile event in Poland. During a conference on cinema support, Minister Marta Cienkowska of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage singled out the film as an example of how Polish-backed productions are making a strong mark on the global animation stage.
The Minister emphasized the remarkable trajectory of the film, noting that it has now been selected for more than 50 festivals across the globe and has earned recognition from juries and audiences alike. This acknowledgment underscores the impact of international co-productions that combine Polish creativity and resources with leading European partners.
Directed by Augusto Zanovello, the 26-minute special blends puppet animation with elements of 2D, delivering a poignant story about Lola, a 13-year-old girl, and her five-year-old brother Simon, a child on the autism spectrum. Through Lola’s eyes, viewers discover Simon’s hypersensitivity to sound — the quiet, overlooked noises of everyday life. With the help of her friend Rolih, Lola sets out to build a machine that can amplify these subtle sounds, creating a bridge to communicate with her brother. The film’s combination of heartfelt storytelling and handcrafted artistry has made it resonate deeply with audiences around the world.
The production represents a significant European collaboration. It was produced by Folimage and Komadoli in France, with co-production from Poland’s Momakin, EC1 Łódź – City of Culture, and CeTA, as well as Switzerland’s Nadasdy Film. Additional support came from RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse, France Télévisions, and regional partners in France, alongside financing from the CNC, Creative Europe MEDIA, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, and Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Momakin has also overseen promotion and distribution in Poland, while Prime Entertainment Group handles international sales.
The film first gained major attention in 2024 when it won the Jury Award in the TV Special category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. That milestone launched a festival journey that has since spanned continents and brought the film more than 20 awards, including the Grand Prix for Young Audiences at the StopTrik Festival, Best Short Animated Film at the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, and the Marcinek Award for Best Short Film for Children at Poznań’s Ale Kino! Festival.
By highlighting Lola and the Sound Piano at a national conference, the Ministry of Culture drew attention not only to the film’s artistic and emotional impact, but also to the importance of supporting stop-motion and puppet animation as a cultural export. For co-producer Momakin, the recognition is a significant affirmation of Poland’s role in the global animation landscape.
As the film continues its run in 2025, its international acclaim demonstrates how stories grounded in empathy and crafted through stop motion can reach audiences everywhere. Lola and the Sound Piano has become a shining example of how cross-border collaboration and cultural support can amplify both the artistry of animation and the voices of underrepresented experiences.
