Harvie Krumpet: History and Key Facts

Harvie Krumpet is a 2003 Australian adult stop motion animated tragicomedy short film written, directed and animated by Adam Elliot, and narrated by Geoffrey Rush.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team•Updated September 29, 2026•2 min read•✓ Fact-checked

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Harvie Krumpet is a 2003 Australian adult stop motion animated tragicomedy short film written, directed and animated by Adam Elliot, and narrated by Geoffrey Rush. It tells the life story of Harvie Krumpet, a Polish-Australian man whose life is plagued by bad luck but who nevertheless remains optimistic.

The film was funded by SBS Independent, the Australian Film Commission and Film Victoria, and it was filmed and animated by Adam Elliot and two assistants over 15 months in 2001–2003, using models made of plasticine and other materials. The production was completed in May 2003.

Harvie Krumpet premiered a month later at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, followed by over 100 subsequent film festival screenings. It won many accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2004.

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