Returning to Cinema SoundEx 2025: Kata & RedFish

May 27th, 2025 | Cinema SoundEx | Experiences by Eightfolk

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"Fun without pressure." - Kata Szanizló

Photo L-R: Kata and Tony, November 2023

Filmmaker: Kata Szanizló

Composer: RedFish (Tony Gee)

Film 1 : Abandoned Places (stop motion)

Film 2 : Animation (digital animation)

What happens when filmmakers and musicians collaborate in total anonymity. No names and no rules— just a piece of work you receive? Based in the same small town of Leighton Buzzard, 2023 Cinema SoundEx entrants—Kata and RedFish, unknowingly were allocated each other’s anonymous round one submissions. Although they had known each other previously, they never spoke on the project until the premiere reveal; learning they had paired together.

Returning to Cinema SoundEx 2025, we caught up with Kata and RedFish to learn a little more about the artistic duo before their round 2 selections.

[AOTS] Tell us a little bit about yourselves?

[Kata] I moved to the UK almost 10 years ago. I studied animation but ended up in corporate media productions. I love experimenting with different techniques and styles: photography, 2D animation, needle felting, filming, hand drawing, vector illustration, stop-motion, etc.

[RedFish] I’m a musician (write and record music, make musical instruments out of junk and vegetables), do sound design and have an arts-science practice.

[AOTS] How did you originally find out about Cinema SoundEx 2025?

[RedFish] Kata shared the link with me.

[Kata] I think a Facebook post appeared somewhere about the event.

IN ROUND 1, ENTRANTS SUBMIT A 60 SEC SILENT FILM OR PIECE OF MUSIC

[AOTS] You're both based in Leighton Buzzard, what's the creative culture like there?

[RedFish] Lots of creative people here. Initially, they come here and work in London because of the easy commute. But many of them have given up commuting and now work in the town which has a vibrant creative community.

[Kata] Vibrant. There are many creative groups: Buzzard Cinema, Buzz Filmmakers, Creative Buzz, Leighton Buzzard Art Society. People are welcoming and happy to work on projects together.

[AOTS] Do either of you have a creative process?

[RedFish] Not really - it tends to be quite spontaneous!

[Kata] I just let the ideas come when I don’t expect them.

In Round 1, Kata submitted a stop-motion animation. In Round 2: RedFish used it to make Abandoned Places, and Max Cervellino used it to make Pupo.

Abandoned Places cleverly utilizes paper cutouts, lighting techniques, camera placement and set design to effectively evoke emotions of hero journey style drama and suspense—laying the ground for RedFish's intuitive sound effects. Originally from Hungary, Kata passionately highlights the influential experimental work of early Eastern European animation, and Tim Burton as sources of inspiration.

Abandoned Places, 2023

It tends to be quite spontaneous!" - RedFish

WATCH: Abandoned Places

[AOTS] How did it feel seeing your work on the big screen in 2023?

[RedFish] Great!

[Kata] A very nice experience. And the other movies were great, it turned out to be a lovely event.

[AOTS] Any advice for anyone thinking about joining the project?

[Kata] Just do it! What can you lose?

[RedFish] Don't overthink it. Just do it and have creative fun with it.

IN ROUND 2, ENTRANTS MAKE A BESPOKE FILM OR SOUNDTRACK TO A PIECE SUBMITTED IN ROUND 1

In Round 1, RedFish submitted a piece of music. In Round 2: Kata used his music to make Animation, and Sumi Kapour used it to make Lily Cat.

Visually, Animation stirs nostalgic memories of childhood cartoons we all grew up on. Sonically, it uses mickey-mouse techniques and has a strong melody—given character by woodwinds, brass and possibly carrots! Having learned that RedFish is not only a sound engineer but also a scientist—who experiments with making instruments from things grown in his garden, showcases the possibilities of artistic freedom with Cinema SoundEx. With an eclectic range of inspirations like Neils Bohr, Tarkovsky and Roy Andersson, RedFish highlights having fun during the process of creation.

Animation, 2023

"I'm influenced by the quirky, weird, adventurous artist." - Kata

WATCH: Animation

[AOTS] What are you looking forward to for Cinema SoundEx 2025?

[RedFish] Experiencing some great expressions of creativity and getting to know the people I have been anonymously working with!

[Kata] New unexpected stories or styles emerging that put something new in my portfolio. And to meet passionate filmmakers, that can lead to future collaborations too. But most importantly, to just have fun without pressure.

Pictured above: the Cinema SoundEX films premiered at ActOne Cinema, Ealing, in November 2023

Photos L-R: Kata and Tony; Tony and Sumi Kapour; Max Cervellino and Kata

WATCH these other films made from Kata & RedFish's submissions

Film 1 - Pupo: Kata Szanizló & Max Cervellino

Film 2 - Lily Cat: RedFish (Tony Gee) & Sumi Kapour

Want to take part in 2025? There's still time ... Cinema SoundEX Round 1 ends on May 31st. You have until then to register and submit your 60-second silent short film or 60-second piece of music. Register now!

Cinema SoundEX 2025