Lubomír Beneš

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Lubomír Beneš (November 7, 1935 - September 12, 1995) was a Czech TV animator/director from Hloubětín, Prague, in what was then the Czech Republic.

His parents recognized a potent artist in their son from an early age, and gave him private tutition in creative writing, drawing and painting. After finishing his military service, Beneš excelled in a talent competition earning him a place in the staff of animated film project Bratri v triku. On this project, he gradually picked up the animation techniques of his day. During the fifties, Beneš got employed in the Kratky Film Studios in Prague.

In 1967 he joined with partner Jiri Trnka and the following year saw their first animated film Homo (Man). Lubomír Beneš' first puppet animation feature was I beg your pardon?, produced in 1974. He stayed with Kratky Studios up until 1990, when he broke away and founded his own film company. During the 1970s and 1980s, Beneš worked on numerous TV projects, among others for the state channel CT.

Of all his creations, Pat and Mat (which began in 1976) has reached the highest international acclaim. The series comprises short episodes about two inventive, yet incredibly clumsy neighbors.