Univille Design Graduates Win a Gold Lion at Cannes

One of the 14 Gold Lions won by Brazil at Cannes this year went to six Univille graduates: Daniel Maia, Rafael Monti, Vinicius Kluge, Victor Balestrin, Alan José Dias, and Nicole Lia Rêgo da Silva. The graduates of Univille’s Digital Animation Design undergraduate program were part of the post-production team for the film “Ashe Versus,” which won both a Gold Lion and a Bronze Lion, in the Film Craft category.

The project was created by The Youth in collaboration with Colossal, an animation studio co-founded by Daniel Maia, and the U.S.-based agency TBWA\Health.

“Winning this award is an honor, especially in the technical animation category, which is so demanding. This victory is a milestone in our careers, reflecting years of dedication to technical excellence in animation,” said Daniel. “Working with former college classmates to this day is a unique experience, which makes receiving recognition at an award like Cannes even more special. We are proud to represent Joinville and Univille at international awards,” he added.

Colossal also contributed to the production of “Spreadbeats,” winner of the Grand Prix in the Digital Craft category during the 71st edition of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, considered the world’s leading event for the creative, media, communications, and advertising industries.

For Prof. Fernanda Pozza da Costa, coordinator of Univille’s Design Program, seeing the graduates recognized nationally and internationally is a source of great pride.

“From an early stage, they demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, making significant contributions to their production studio and to the market. Since college, they have shown exceptional talent that has only grown over the years. This achievement does not surprise us, because they are truly talented and their work is incredible,” she emphasized. “We have closely followed their growth. They are regular partners in events such as GAMPI, and we are always in contact. We are very happy and proud to see our graduates standing out on the world stage,” she added.

Daniel highlights that, beyond the personal achievement, the group is also proud to contribute to the Brazilian animation industry.

“Animation in Brazil is constantly evolving, and it is exciting to be part of this growth. Maintaining connections with academia and inspiring new generations is essential for the future of the industry. We highly value the connections we have built over the years, both with college classmates and with young talents entering the market. We look forward to meeting again at Univille,” Daniel concluded.

The Film

“Ashe Versus” is an outstanding example of craft, thanks to its meticulous attention to detail and innovative storytelling approach. From production design and casting to the integration of animation and the original soundtrack, every element demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship. The recreation of historical settings, the portrayal of the characters, and the fusion of live-action and animated sequences showcase excellence in production, design, and storytelling. The dedication to authenticity and creativity is evident in every frame.

The film focuses on Arthur Ashe, the former U.S. tennis player, civil rights activist, and health educator who became the first Black man to win a Grand Slam title. He was also known for his elegant yet rebellious style both on and off the court.

Ashe died in 1993 from complications related to AIDS, after publicly revealing the previous year that he had contracted the disease.

The short film pays tribute to Ashe’s distinctive style, both on and off the court. Voice recordings, photographs, and archival footage were brought together in a production distinguished by the quality of its animation.