Festival Watch

Platform International Animation Festival Launches in US

2006-12-07T10:50:00.000-05:00

The PLATFORM International Animation Festival will debut June 25-30, 2007 in Portland, Oregon, it was announced today by Festival Founder and Director Irene Kotlarz. The new, boundary-breaking festival and competition will feature films, installations and exhibitions.

Looking to fill the need for a major animation event in the U.S., the PLATFORM International Animation Festival will be a literal platform for artists, innovation, debate and discussion as well as set the stage to explore new developments in animation. The Festival program will feature premieres and retrospectives, exclusive screenings, guest speakers, exhibitions, workshops with leading artists, parties and networking opportunities with industry insiders. The Festival is being solely sponsored by Cartoon Network.

"This is an important period for animation because the rapid growth of technology changes the possibilities of our craft every day," said Kotlarz, producer of animation projects and former director of animation festivals in Cambridge, Bristol and Cardiff in the UK. "We want animators to be able to find new answers and new opportunities with the best in the industry. Whether the animated submissions are created for theaters, cell phones or for the sides of buildings, if it is brilliant and innovative, we want to show it."

PLATFORM represents a brand new breed of festival. Along with being an international competition with cash prizes, the Festival will break boundaries into other art forms including comics, illustration, character and toy design, motion graphics, gallery art and live action cinema.

"In all the talk about this new platform and that new platform, no one is really talking about what makes good content for these areas, or how to grow a generation of creators for these platforms. That's why Cartoon Network is proud to be the sole sponsor of this important new international festival and competition. PLATFORM will serve as a special place where emerging artists and talents can learn, grow, be inspired and showcase their work," said Michael Ouweleen, Cartoon Network’s Senior VP, Programming & Development.

The international competition is open to films under 40 minutes (with no minimum running time) and there is no entry fee. Renowned international judges will present awards in categories covering commercial and independent films, student animation and films for new platforms, including cell phones and the Internet. Rules stipulate that films must have premiered after January 1, 2005 to be eligible. In total, more than $50,000 will be awarded. The deadline to enter the competition is March 1, 2007. [Update: The deadline has since been extended to March 15.]

For more information on the PLATFORM International Animation Festival, log onto www.platformfestival.com

Festival Watch Blog Reorganization

2007-02-23T21:30:00.000-05:00

Please note that as of now, animation festival postings will no longer appear in the Festival Watch blog; instead, postings about current and upcoming festivals will appear as part of the main fps blog. You will also have the option of only reading blog postings that pertain to festivals if you'd prefer, or to subscribe to an RSS feed specifically for festivals. The links you'll need are below:

fps site blog: http://www.fpsmagazine.com/blog/
fps RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/fps
festival-related fps blog postings: http://www.fpsmagazine.com/blog/labels/festivals.php
festival-related RSS feed: http://www2.blogger.com/feeds/8409810/posts/default/-/festivals

In a few weeks, the Festival Watch blog will be deleted. Old blog postings relating to upcoming festivals will be transferred to the site blog.

Milano Film Festival - Twelfth Edition

2007-02-13T20:32:00.000-05:00

Milan, 14-23 September 2007

CALL FOR ENTRIES. The twelfth edition of Milano Film Festival is officially open. The competition collects and selects short and feature films from all over the world and is open to films of any genre, running time, language and format, provided that they have been produced after January 1st 2006. The selected directors will be invited to Milan (information and rules on the web site www.milanofilmfestival.it). The submission deadline is May 31st, 2007.

OUT-OF-COMPETITION SEASON: STATE (T)ERROR. The call for entries for the State (T)error season is open to works of any language, format and length, produced even before January 1st, 2006. The submission deadline is May 31st, 2007. Stories depicting crimes, injustice and massacres, committed under the banner of democracy, freedom, security or religion. Terrorism as a strategy of so-called democratic governments. A deliberate, organized, thoroughly planned terrorism consisting in warfare actions, ban on dissent and slanted news coverage. These are the main characteristics of this out-of-competitin season, that the festival presents in 2007 for the third year in a row.

THE ARTISTIC PROGRAMME The film project will be further enhanced, as a result of a year of commitment in the search for and distribution of films from all over the world.

Special consideration will be paid to filmmakers depicting unknown stories and cultures, to independent productions that are usually ignored by commercial circuits. In particular, the aim is to focus on those countries that manage to produce films despite their economic, political and social difficulties. Furthermore, larger participation of feature films will be encouraged.

A FESTIVAL FOR THE CITY. The artistic project is complemented by activities aiming to favour the participation of the festival in the life of the city and to interact with all the citizens - not only of film buffs. Peculiar urban installations will transform public space - the real venue for collective events. Beside the Teatro Strehler, new prestigious spaces will be involved.

A WIDE-RANGING EVENT. Once again the festival will feature a large number of side events, as a further proof of its ability in gathering art, celebration, culture and public participation: retrospectives, seminars, out-of-competition screenings, non-stop events, workshops, meetings, concerts, exhibitions and activities for students, children and elders. From early in the morning to late at night, hundreds of events within the event will contribute to create a festival that is not an occasion limited to film buffs and members of the film industry, but a place where cinema merges with other contemporary forms of expression and becomes part of a lively and universal language.

A CULTURAL PROJECT. Milano Film Festival is an all-round project able to highlight and include in its programme the most characteristic features of the city. Thanks to collaborations established year after year with the most important cultural operators the festival gives to its public - citizens and visitors - a special opportunity to discover Milan's less known historical and cultural places.

THE HOLIDAYS PROJECT. First conceived four years ago, the project has been developed to offer alternative accommodation during the festival, as a solution to the lack of low-cost facilities in a city that is expensive and often inhospitable. The project also offers a cultural alternative: a temporary hostel, set up in unusual spaces and designed as a real house, becomes a workshop, a place to gather and interact. The house offers accommodation at a fair price, and it includes a common area, a screening room, an exhibition room. Furthermore, guests will enjoy price discounts around the city. A real and different chance to experience the real atmosphere of the festival.

THE PRESENT, BETWEEN ENTHUSIASM AND OBSTACLES. Milano Film Festival is an event that grows, changes and helps things change. It has become established as the true home of independent and innovative cinema, it gathers international guests and citizens and has won the approval of the audience and of film critics. In the lead up to its twelfth edition, with the enthusiasm and the receptiveness of a great event, with the satisfaction of carrying out an innovative project, the event still suffers from economic uncertainty. Because of the lack of public funds, Milano Film Festival is still fighting for its survival. Supported by the passion of its collaborators and by the ability to cope with a city where culture is under-represented, the organisation still continues, looks for the participation of public institutions, relies on the help of a multitude of volunteers and hopes in the generous sensitivity of private companies. And in a miracle that Milan will be able to perform once again.

Cortoons Festival (Rome) Call for Entries

2007-02-13T20:36:00.000-05:00

Cortoons is an International Animated Short Film Festival that will be next April (13/14/15) at Palladium Theatre in Rome (Italy).

The competition’s categories are four:

Best Italian from 1 to 20 minutes;
Best International from 4 to 20 minutes;
Best International from 1 to 4 minutes;
Best realized with Flash.

Subject free.

Admmission free.

All techniques of animation accepted.

The short films must be realized after 1 th of January 2003.

Deadline: 1 th of March 2007.

WE PREFER ITALIAN OR (AT LEAST) ENGLISH SUBTITLED MOVIES

To download the entry form from visit: http://www.cortoons.it/

The festival is totally free

In this edition:
seminar with Fusako Yusaki
Japanese plasticine artist, she created the lucky series of commercials for Fernet Branca from 1968 to 1980 in the age of Carosello.

Whilst furthering her three dimensional research, she investigated the concept of methamorphosis, applying the technique to the animated film, and concentracing above all on the use of plasticine.

She was nominated to be on the jury at many International Film Festival about animation.

The complete series of her animated films are included in the collection of the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo.

Special Screening:
La Planète sauvage of Réne Laloux and Roland Topor (France, 1973)

Special Screening II:
Inosensu - Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocense (in italian language)

Big Muddy Film Festival, Carbondale, Illinois

2007-02-09T13:57:00.000-05:00

The 29th Big Muddy Film Festival will be held at Carbondale, IL from February 22 to March 4.

This Film Festival has the category of 'Animation Show Case'.

Here's the line up of animation in competition.

15-ANIMATION SHOWCASE. 83m.

Venue: Friday, February 23rd, 8 pm, Longbranch Coffeehouse. Free

Venue: Monday, February 26th, 5 pm, Student Center Auditorium. $3

“The Meatrix II: Revolting.” Dir Louis Fox. USA. 2006. 4m.

“The Meatrix II: Revolting” is the sequel to the award-winning smash hit “The Meatrix.” The film, a humorous spoof on The Matrix takes a look at the gap between our illusions about where food comes from and the reality of industrial meat and dairy production.

“Little Strong.” Dir Kuo-Ting Kao. USA. 2006. 7m.

A band of cockroaches fight for their right to exist.

“The Touch.” Dir Vanessa Woods. 2006. USA. 3m.

“The Touch” is a meditation on Anne Sexton’s poem of the same name. The film examines melodies within spoken, written and visual language and how they can interact. Because the subject of the poem deals specifically with the idea of touch, the film sustains a highly tactile, textural quality.

“Mirage.” Dir Youngwoong Jang. USA. 2006. 8m.

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

“Look for Me.” Dir Laura Heit. UK. 2005. 4m.

What would you do if you woke up one day and you discovered you were invisible?

“Phantom Canyon.” Dir Stacey Steers. USA. 2006. 10m.

A young woman encounters enormous insects and an alluring man with bat wings in this surreal recollection of a pivotal journey. This animated film was made by photographing over 4000 handmade collages and features the figures from Eadweard Muybridge's human motion studies.

“Idea Development.” Dir Dane Webster. USA. 2006. 4m.

This story follows a writer’s journey through the creative process.

“Dinner Table.” Dir Song E. Kim. USA. 2006. 3m.

A couple takes a surreal turn as they share a meal.

“Anger Stone.” Dir Dave Ryan. USA. 2006. 6m.

Images hidden in your head shape who you are.

“Atomic Banana.” Dir Erik Kling. USA. 2006. 5m.

Intellectually enhanced chimp versus cruel genius in a battle for the ultimate prize...Bananas!

“Linear Progression.” Dir Kat Kosmala. USA. 2006. 4m.

Strange creatures! Beautiful animation! Grass! What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Such conundrums and charm abound in “Linear Progression.”

“The Dollhouse.” Dir Tara Beyhm. USA. 2006. 10m.

This is a story about a young girl who becomes obsessed with a dollhouse after her classmate receives it as a gift. It is a story that celebrates the handcrafted versus the store bought and the bond that forms between a daughter and her father as a result.

“The Ghost of Sam Peckinpah.” Dir Jason Brewer. USA. 2006. 15m.

A young, gritty cowboy named Jack Yeager stirs up the town of Deep Sands, Utah, and wakes the ghost of legendary filmmaker Sam Peckinpah. Together they march into the heart of Hollywood on a mission to put the capital “W” back in Western.

For more information, you can visit the webiste, www.bigmuddyfilm.com

Chicago International Children's Film Festival 2007 Dates

2007-02-07T23:47:00.000-05:00

The 2007 dates for the Chicago International Children's Film Festival are October 18-October 28, 2007. This is our 24th annual event.

Short Description:
The Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF) is the largest festival of films for children in North America featuring over 200 animated and live action films from 40 countries, programming the best on children's media for over 30 years. The Festival welcomes over 25,000 Chicago area children, adults, and educators to the screenings, and over 140 filmmakers, media professionals & celebrities attend the Festival to lead interactive workshops with kids.

Call for Entries Description:
The 24th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF), Oct. 18-Oct. 28, 2007 Deadline: early-May 1 & late-May 31. The CICFF is the largest competitive fest of films & videos for children in North America, programming over 200 films & videos from 40 countries targeted for children ages 3-16. The CICFF is the only Academy-qualifying children’s film festival in the world. Entries must have copyright date of 2005, 2006 or 2007. CICFF presents films in contexts that encourage dialog between filmmakers, children, parents & educators. Goal is the sustenance & nurture of positive images for children and youth.

Founded: 1984. Categories: adult-produced live action, animation, feature, short, TV, documentary & child-produced (3-14). Awards: Best of Fest Prize, Montgomery Jury Prize for Upcoming Adult & Child Director, Liv Ullmann Peace Prize & Rights of the Child Prize, in addition to 1st, 2nd & Certificates in all submission categories from Adult and Children's Juries. Formats: 35mm, 16mm, Beta SP. Preview on VHS (PAL or NTSC) or DVD. Entry Fee: $40-early/$60-late Short (Less than 60 mins.); $80-early/$100-late Feature (60 mins. or more); no fee for child-produced films (age 6-14); Contact: Festival Programmer, CICFF, 1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614 USA; (773) 281-9075; fax: 773-281-9075; kidsfest [at] facets [dot] org; www.cicff.org

Entry Contact: Deidre Searcy, Festival Programmer - deidre [at] facets [dot] org, 1-773-281-9075

Deadline for Entries: May 1, 2007 (Early), May 31, 2007 (Final Deadline)

Contact info:
Chicago International Children's Film Festival
Facets Multi-Media, Inc.
1517 West Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614 USA
Tel: 773-281-9075
Fax: 773-929-0266
E-mail: kidsfest [at] facets [dot] org
Website: www.cicff.or

Call for Entries: Professional Show Sponsored by 3x3 Magazine

2007-01-31T22:55:00.000-05:00

3x3 Magazine announces its fourth annual illustration competition and for the first time has added an animation category. Judges include Mario Cavalli, Dave McKean and Run Wrake (United Kingdom); Oscar Grillo (Argentina); and Eric Goldberg (USA). All entries must be postmarked by March 2, 2007. Full details, entry fees and entry forms are available at http://3x3mag.com/pdf/CFE_2006.pdf.

Animation Block Party Summerfest

2007-01-17T22:33:00.000-05:00

NYC's Animation Block Party launched for worldwide submissions on January 8, 2007. There will be almost $30,000 worth of prizes up for grabs at the July 28-30 summer festival. Prizes will include winning filmmaker copies of Adobe After Effects, Boinx I-Stop Motion, Toon Boom Studio, Autodesk’s Sketchbook, designer bags from Crumpler, subscriptions from Animation Magazine and big student production grants. All genres are welcome to submit. There are ten award categories, including original design, computer animation, narrative short, under minute movie, personal documentary and more. ABP is also offering an opportunity to fund animators Public Service Announcement films for the entire festival season. Last summer, over 1000 fans attended the Brooklyn based film festival, which screened just under 60 animated films.

For more information on ABP 2007 go to http://www.animationblock.com/

Tokyo International Anime Fair Canada Pavilion - Tokyo Big Sight, March 22 to 25, 2007

2007-01-04T23:26:00.000-05:00

Can you afford to miss the most important animation trade show in the world? The Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF), a four-day annual event launched in 2002, attracted over 220 companies in 2006, including approximately forty from abroad. The two Industry days attracted over 20,000 buyers, while general public days registered over 30,000 visitors per day. The TAF has been growing steadily since its start and promises to provide even greater opportunities with more than 100,000 visitors expected this year. In addition to the 220 exhibitors, buyers from more than 20 countries including China, Korea, and Taiwan, come to the show each year hoping to find new content and technology. Following the great success of the Canadian Pavilion at TAF 2006, the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo will again coordinate the Canada Pavilion at TAF 2007, and is planning a networking reception and arrangement of one on one meetings between Canadian companies and companies from Taiwan, Seoul and Japan.

For companies in the anime production industry, or the animation tools sector, the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2006 is an excellent opportunity to meet the principal players of the Asian animation world, be those broadcasters, animation production firms or distributors.

The Embassy has secured exhibition space at the venue and invites Canadian companies interested in exploring the Japanese and Asian market to take advantage of that space to display their promotional material or demo their products. The highly subsidised exhibition allows Canadian participants to rent space for a nominal fee, thus giving them an excellent opportunity to explore one of the most important animation markets in the world without breaking the bank. Canadian companies already scheduled to attend the event, or interested in doing so, are welcome to use the Canada Pavilion as their base during the four days of the event, either as delegates or exhibitors. If you are unable to attend the event, you are welcome to send us pamphlets, posters, videos or other materials that we will display in the Canada Pavilion on your behalf.

For more details on TAF See the official Tokyo International Anime Fair Website.

Companies interested in participating in the fair or attending the networking event, should contact:

Stephane-Enric Beaulieu
Trade Commissioner/Délégué Commercial
Embassy of Canada/Ambassade du Canada

7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
107-8503, Japan
Tel: (81-3) 5412-6232
Fax: (81-3)5412-6250
stephane.beaulieu[at]international.gc.ca

Call for Entries: Anima '07

2006-12-30T00:28:00.000-05:00

ANIMA'07 will take place in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, from September 19th through 22nd, 2007. The Festival is organized by the Centro Experimental de Animación (Dept. of Film and TV, National University of Córdoba) and the Centro Cultural España - Córdoba (AECI). This fourth edition of the ANIMA will be dedicated to exploring the dichotomy high technology manual craft.

The Festival is open for short and feature animation films of every genre and topic. Special interest is granted to those films where the filmmaker's expressive intention stands out from marketing requirements; and also to school productions. Participation is open for animation movies from all over the world - produced for theatrical screenings, television, video or the Internet - with special interest in those from Latin America.

NO ENTRY FEE

DEADLINE
June 15th, 2007 (film, video and television)
July 20th, 2007 (Internet)

Rules and Entry Form are available at the Festival's website, http://www.animafestival.com.ar

The Festival will also hold a series of non - competitive screenings, seminars, workshops, specialized forums, and retrospectives.

We look forward to receiving your shorts, and of course we would love to meet you next September at ANIMA'07!

Make the Pixels Dance: An Animated Film Contest for Young Canadians

2006-12-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

As animation genius Norman McLaren said, "What happens between two frames is more important than what happens on each frame." Now, young Canadians will be able to discover for themselves the mystery and magic of this key animation principle. The NFB is happy to announce the online animated film contest MAKE THE PIXELS DANCE!, open from now until January 15, 2007 on the NFB’s Focus on Animation Web site. Youth from 9 to 20 are invited to grab a cell phone or digital camera and make a film up to three minutes long, with the ordinary – or not so ordinary – materials around them.

"Animation is not nuclear physics," says young contest spokesperson Patrick Bouchard, already a two-time Jutra winner for his provocative short films Brainwashing and Dehors novembre, both produced by the NFB’s French Animation Studio. "It can start with any apparatus that allows you to capture images one by one. The key, as always, is a good idea, finding a way to evoke emotion in the action. But like anything, it’s trial and error – there’s no reason not to give it a try." As well as encouraging youth around the country to enter the online contest, Patrick will invite two youths not registered in the competition to help him with the selection of finalists.

Prizes will be awarded to ten finalists in each of two age categories, 9-14 and 15-20, and the works of each finalist will be broadcast on the site throughout February, when the Canadian public at large will be invited to vote online in three elimination rounds, thus choosing the national winners.

For inspiraton, youth are encouraged to explore the Focus On Animation Web site, a veritable online film festival and virtual animation workshop at nfb.ca/animation. Here they’ll find 50 animated films, including closed-captioned and described video for the hearing- and vision-impaired, as well as interviews with award-winning artists, technical notes and background on methods ranging from pixellation and paint-on-glass to state-of-the-art computer techniques. Younger children can experience interactive play in clay animation and storyboarding simulations, workshops, optical games, puzzles, flips and more.

The Focus on Animation site is partly funded by Canadian Culture Online. The NFB would like to thank the following sponsors for their valuable contribution to the contest: Telus, MusiquePlus, Vrak.tv, Teletoon, Nikon Canada and YoungCuts.

The MAKE THE PIXELS DANCE! contest is yet another special event offered by the NFB to mark its 65th year of animation filmmaking, an anniversary that has been celebrated around the world and across the country with retrospectives, museum exhibits, workshops, master classes and screenings, as well as the international launch of Norman McLaren – The Master’s Edition, the 7-DVD box set of classic works from the man who founded the NFB animation studios and captured the essence of animation.

For more details on the contest and prizes, visit the Focus on Animation Web site, at nfb.ca/animation or visit the CineRobotheque in Montreal or the Mediatheque in Toronto.

Call for Submissions - NFB Hothouse

2006-12-18T10:02:00.000-05:00

NFB Animation Hothouse Call for Submissions: Deadline January 15, 2007

The National Film Board of Canada seeks submissions from emerging filmmakers (young and old), and artists intrigued by animation art, for the fourth edition of the Animation Hothouse. This year's Hothouse runs from March 5 to May 25, 2007, at the Animation Studio in Montreal.

Six selected participants will direct a 30 second film, from creative inception all the way through final sound mix and video release in twelve intense weeks.

Submissions may come from across Canada and an artist's fee will be paid.

The theme for this Hothouse is: A Chance Encounter

Please see full program and submission details here.

Skip City International D-Cinema Festival 2007

2006-12-18T09:56:00.000-05:00

We are happy to inform you that the 4th SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL 2007 will be held from July 14 - 22 in 2007 in SKIP CITY, Saitama Pref. Japan.

We are now calling for Digital Cinema (shot and produced by digital) entries for the feature competition section from all over the world. The deadline is 16th March, 2007.

The total cash prize of US$130,000 will be given.

http://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/index.html

In the 2006 festival, US$88,000 Grand Prize was awarded to "The Contract" by Lu Xuechang (2005/China/HDCAM).

http://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/2006/en/program/feature.html

Call for Entries - Macon Georgia Film & Video Festival

2006-12-18T09:53:00.000-05:00

The Macon Georgia Film & Video Festival is now accepting entries for our upcoming festival to be held on February 27 March 4, 2007, in historic downtown Macon, Georgia. MAGA was created to celebrate the art and craft of the moving image and to give light to films which rarely appear in Macon, particularly those that are independent, experimental, and short in length. The Macon Georgia Film & Video Festival is open to filmmakers working in all media, genres, and themes. Features and shorts of all styles and lengths are eligible for submission to the 2007 festival if completed after January 1, 2005. Student films are welcome.

LAST DAY TO ENTER: Postmarked by January 12, 2007; Notified by Feb. 1, 2007
ENTRY FEE: up to 2 pieces for $20
ENTRY LENGTH: 120 minutes maximum
SUBMISSION FORMAT: Mini DV, DVD (do not send originals)
CATEGORIES: Documentary, Experimental, Narrative, Music Video, Animation
AWARDS: Best of Show; Audience Choice; 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention for each category

To submit, please send us the following information on a piece of paper:

Name:
Title and Category of work (animation, narrative, experimental...etc.):
Street Address:
A check for 20.00 made payable to Capitol Theater / MaGa

Our mailing address is:

Capitol Theater / Maga
P.O. Box 929
Macon, GA
31202-0929

Send questions to Craig Coleman at: coleman_c [at] mercer [dot] edu
Check out our website at: www.maconfilmfestival.com

AniFest 2007

2006-12-07T22:07:00.000-05:00

6th Annual International Festival of Animated Films
3rd – 9th of May 2007 – Trebon, Czech Republic

Call for Entries

We are pleased to invite directors and filmmakers of animated films to participate in the 6th edition of the annual International Festival of Animated Films AniFest 2007, taking place in Trebon, Czech Republic.

In order to take part in the competition, the Entry Form and a copy of the film on DVD or VHS must be sent to the organiser’s address no later than 19th of January 2007. Only films made after 1st of January 2005 and which have not previously competed in a previous AniFest festival are eligible to be entered. No entry fee is required. Information regarding competition categories, conditions of participation and other subjects are available in the Competition Regulations.

The organiser declares a competition in the following film categories:
Feature-length film
Short film
Television film
Television serial
Video clip
Advertisement, introductory spot, jingle
Student film
Film made by children

The prizes awarded by the juries:

- AniFest Grand Prix for the Best Film

Original production
- Prize for the Best Feature-Length Film
- Prize for the Best Short Film

Television production and commission production / work that has been made to order
- Prize for the Best Television Film and Serial
- Prize for the Best Video Clip
- Prize for the Best Advertisement, Introductory Spot

Student production
- Prize for the Best Student Film
- Prize for the Best School Collection
- Prize for the Best Film made by Children

Prizes awarded by the organiser of the festival
- The Trebon Prize (the audience prize)

The Entry Form and the Competition Regulations are attached to this e-mail and can also be downloaded at www.anifest.cz.

We are looking forward to your participation.

2007 Visual Music Marathon Call for Submissions

2006-12-05T10:32:00.000-05:00

Visual Music: Fine art animation, video or film in which the visual elements are informed by musical processes.

Call for Submissions
Deadline: (postmarked) January 22nd, 2007

The Multimedia Studies and Music Technology programs, in conjunction with the Departments of Music and Visual Arts is pleased to announce a call for work for the 2007 Visual Music Marathon, to be held on April 28th, 2007 as part of the Boston Cyberarts Festival. The Marathon will include screenings of new and historic works that reflect the theme of the event and a live video component. Approximately thirty minutes of programming will be selected for national cablecast on the Harmony Channel, available to subscribers of digital cable on the Comcast network.

The 10-hour event will be held in the Raytheon Amphitheatre and will be free and open to the public. Please see http://www.music.neu.edu/vmm/ for submission details.

MTV Networks International Creative and onedotzero Collaborate to Present Global Open Film Competition Bloom

2006-11-30T17:41:00.000-05:00

MTV Networks International (MTVNI) Creative and onedotzero have partnered to create a new competition called Bloom. Bloom is a global search for the best young moving image talent around the world to express innovative new visions of the contemporary world through one-minute films.

Students, graduates and other new up-and-coming creators, filmmakers and moving image makers are invited to enter the competition by submitting creative treatments for a one minute film which represents their environment, local country and community as seen through their eyes, using innovative techniques to reveal their perception of their place and its connection with the global community. Bloom celebrates the uniqueness of different cultures while challenging outside perceptions and encouraging youth to think differently and pioneer new film concepts to explore a view of their country that others would not normally see through creativity and film innovation.

The winning creative treatments will be commissioned by MTVNI Creative and onedotzero and be given the chance to be shown on MTV channels and digital platforms worldwide and feature in the onedotzero festival as it tours across the world. The films will also be showcased on a website gallery, complete with credits and contact details for the winning directors.

The techniques used in the film treatment are completely open and could include animation such as stop frame, cell and digital techniques as well as motion graphics, 3D, photography, film, video and interesting use of audio. MTV and onedotzero are looking for impressive responses, both in terms of mood and emotion and in terms of technique and exploring new angles that challenge conventional perception.

The entries will be judged by a panel of experts from MTV Networks International Creative and onedotzero. Winners will be announced in February 2007.

Be radical. Be bold. Be inventive.

The full creative brief and competition terms + conditions are available at the Bloom website www.mtvonedotzero.com

Final deadline: 31 January 2007 [early entry advised]

Optronica - Visual Music on the Big Screen: March 2007

2006-11-12T15:38:00.000-05:00

A hybrid of music festival and film festival taking place over 5 days in March 2007; Optronica explores the fusion of music and visuals, and features live audiovisual performances, screenings, talks, workshops and related special presentations. Optronica will be held at the British Film Institute's IMAX cinema and the newly renovated National Film Theatre complex, which is re-opening as BFI Southbank early next year. Presented as part of The PlayStation Season, the festival is organised by curators Cinefeel and artists/producers Addictive TV in partnership with the British Film Institute.

:: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ::
visual music animations / music videos / video installations

For our cinema screenings, we're looking for innovative and unconventional music videos, ambient and experimental work, animations, audio/video remixes and video cut-ups that express or explore the close relation of music and image. We're open to all styles of music and all styles of images, be they created on celluloid or in the digital domain.

We are also looking for video installations that utilise this close relation of music and image; these can be interactive and preferably for a single screen exhibit. These installations will be hosted in one of the new BFI Southbank spaces over the five days of the event as part of the Optronica Lounge.

DEADLINE: Friday 1st December.
Please download a submission form and details from here

To view the 2005 website, please click here.

American Anime Awards to Debut at New York Comic Con

2006-11-11T23:08:00.000-05:00

The New York Comic Con today announced that it will host the first-ever American Anime Awards. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 24th at the New Yorker Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

The American Anime Awards celebrates Japanese animation (anime), which has grown into a global entertainment phenomenon. The Awards showcase the very best anime to make its way to North America, and the winners will be chosen by anime fans themselves.

Anime fans will have a chance to vote for their favorites online during the month of January 2007. The five nominees receiving the most votes will be announced February 5th, and the winners will be announced at the American Anime Awards ceremony February 24th. North America's most prominent anime and manga companies will be on hand at the Awards, including VIZ Media, TOKYOPOP, Media Blasters, Geneon, FUNimation, Del Rey, Bandai, and ADV Films.

The American Anime Awards presentation ceremony will be hosted by a group of top voice actresses, including Christine Auten, Jessica Boone, Shelley Calene-Black, Luci Christian, Alice Fulks, Hilary Haag, Taylor Hannah, and Serena Varghese. Many more voice actors, directors, and anime professionals are expected to attend the awards ceremony and the post-awards gala that follows.

"Anime and manga are an important part of what the New York Comic Con is here to celebrate," said Greg Topalian, Group Vice President in charge of New York Comic Con for Reed Exhibitions. "We're proud to be hosting this very special event, and we encourage all anime fans to take part in the New York Comic Con."

The awards will be streamed live over the internet via the entertainment super site IGN.com. A fuller broadcast, including pre and post-ceremony coverage, will air later on cable's Anime Network. A limited number of tickets to the American Anime Awards are available to New York Comic Con attendees on a first come, first served basis. For more information or to register for tickets, fans may visit the website at www.nycomiccon.com.

The American Anime Awards ballot will be developed by both industry representatives and independent anime experts. Each producer-distributor of anime in North America will have an opportunity to offer up to two candidates for consideration in each category. An equal number of anime experts working independently will offer their own nominees. The combined ballot will be assembled by Milton Griepp, publisher of the industry Website ICv2.com, who is acting as Awards Committee Chairman and will oversee the online polling.

"The American Anime Awards is an idea whose time has come," says Griepp. "Anime is a multi-billion dollar industry in North America, and anime and manga have impacted every facet of today's pop culture landscape."

Griepp continues, "The response from anime producers has been very positive. We also have a great panel of anime experts to round out the nominating process, including representatives from Anime Insider magazine, AnimeNewsNetwork.com, and AnimeonDVD.com."

The categories for the 2007 American Anime Awards are:

Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Actor in a Comedy
Best Actress in a Comedy
Best Cast
Best DVD Package Design
Best Anime Theme Song
Best Comedy Anime
Best Anime Feature (OAV)
Best Short Series (13 episodes or less)
Best Long Series (over 13 episodes)
Best Manga

For more information about the American Anime Awards or the New York Comic Con, visit www.nycomiccon.com.

A Night of Horror Short Film Festival Announces Call For Submissions

2006-11-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

Regular deadline: November 30, 2006
Late deadline: December 31, 2006
Withoutabox deadline: January 15, 2007

A Night of Horror Short Film Festival announces its official call for submissions this weekend. The festival, which will be held in Sydney, Australia, from March 23-24, 2007, aims to promote independent filmmakers working in the horror genre from both Australia and abroad. It is operated by the Sydney based film company Lovecraft 21C Productions.

A Night of Horror intends to screen a wide variety of short films. The festival’s organizers believe that the horror genre is the great equalizer of the filmmaking world, with some of the genre’s most memorable and influential films - from Night of the Living Dead, through Halloween, to The Blair Witch Project - being made on small budgets. In the words of festival director Lisa Mitchell, “We want to see and promote films from all budget levels. We don’t care if your budget was $100 or $100,000. As long as you’ve made a scary, atmospheric, or shockingly funny horror short then it’s in with a chance!”

Films submitted for consideration must be 30 minutes or under, but there is no restriction to the year that they were completed. Those films, which are selected for screening at the festival, will compete for several awards and prizes (including the Kodak sponsored Best of Fest Award) in the following three categories:

1: Short Horror Films
2: Short Horror Animations
3: Short Films Inspired by the Writings of H. P. Lovecraft

Howard Phillips Lovecraft was an early 20th century author, and his tales remain some of the most influential of the horror genre. Festival co-director and filmmaker Dean Bertram, a longtime fan, introduced the special Lovecraft category in an effort to encourage other filmmakers who have been similarly inspired by the iconic horror author, and to offer them the opportunity of having their work screened in Australia.

More details about A Night of Horror Short Film Festival are available at: www.anightofhorror.com

Call for Papers: The 2007 Society for Animation Studies Conference

2006-11-03T14:56:00.000-05:00

Website: http://universe.animationstudies.org/

The Society for Animation Studies is an international organization that was founded in 1989 to encourage and support the work of animation scholarship. The ongoing research of its members is presented at the Society's annual conference.

The 2007 SAS conference will be held June 30th - July 3rd, 2007 at Portland State University in conjunction with the new Platform International Animation Festival, which is taking place in Portland, Oregon, June 25th - 30th, 2007. Central conference events will take place on June 30th and July 1st, when papers and roundtable discussions will be scheduled. On July 2nd and 3rd, SAS workshops will be presented within the context of a Portland State University course being offered through summer session.

The Conference Chair is Daniel Pirofsky, who can be reached via email at pirofskyd [at] pdx [dot] edu.

Call for Papers

The 2007 conference theme is 'Animation Universe,' to encourage proposals that address the ubiquitous nature of animation in society today. Papers might address the relationship between live and animated imagery, the blending of animation and other arts, the integration of animated images into social and cultural practices, cross-generational perceptions about animation, shifts in the realm of animated feature production or television programming, the growth of animation industries in countries worldwide, animation and the World Wide Web, animation and merchandising, the teaching of animation within various disciplines, or other relevant topics.

Deadline for proposal submissions: Wednesday, November 22. Proposals will be blind reviewed by a panel of SAS members, and acceptance will be announced by Friday, December 22.

Individuals wishing to publish a paper in the SAS peer-reviewed journal (Animation Studies) have two options:

1. Submit your completed paper with your proposal, including the date by which your decision is needed; it will be forwarded to the journal's Editor, Nichola Dobson, for peer review.

2. Submit your completed paper within two weeks after the end of the conference; in this case, it should be emailed directly to Nichola Dobson at nichola_dobson [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk.

We are accepting proposals from SAS members for presentations in three
categories:

Category 1: 25-minute paper presentations, which will be delivered on Saturday, June 30 or Sunday, July 1 as part of the central SAS conference events.

Category 2: One-hour pre-constituted roundtable discussions, which will be presented on Saturday, June 30 or Sunday, July 1 as part of the central SAS conference events.

In addition, the conference chair is accepting proposals in a third category. SAS members are encouraged to consider proposing a workshop that will be presented following the conclusion of paper and panel sessions, as part of a conference-related summer school course for Portland State University students, on Monday and Tuesday, July 2 and 3. Though space may be limited, workshops may be attended by SAS conference attendees, possibly for an additional fee. Please notify the Conference Chair, Daniel Pirofsky, if you are interested in attending.

Category 3: Workshops (between two and six hours in length) offered by SAS members for Portland State University undergraduate and graduate students, presenting a mixture of history, theory, and practice. Workshops should be aimed at students with a beginning to intermediate range of skill and experience in animation. Workshop projects could be completed by students during the workshop or after it concludes. Digital facilities will be available, if required. The University will offer a small stipend (amount TBA) to SAS presenters as part of its ongoing Visiting Artist program. Workshop proposals will be peer-reviewed and must be approved by the conference chair on behalf of the University. Provided the workshop contains an historical or theoretical component combined with practice, an abstract of the workshop or complete manuscript may be published in the SAS online journal Animation Studies after the event.

Membership requirement: anyone submitting a proposal in any of these categories must be a paid member of the SAS for 2007. Proof of payment is required when your proposal is submitted. All members of a pre-constituted panel also must be paid members. Membership information (US$35 for professionals/US$20 for students or economic hardship) is available at the SAS website, www.animationstudies.org.

Deadline for proposal submissions: Wednesday, November 22.

Please be aware that spaces for paper presentations are limited. Late proposals will not be considered until all other proposals have been read.

Submit by email the required proposal information (see formats) and a PayPal receipt (or other documentation of payment) to:

Daniel Pirofsky
E-mail: pirofskyd [at] pdx [dot] edu

Those who prefer to wire money or send a check for membership payment can do so. Please send a photocopy of appropriate documentation.

Category 1
Paper Presentation (Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1)
Length: 25 minutes

1. Name of presenter

2. Professional affiliation (school or studio, for example), including title, if appropriate

3. Email address

4. Mailing address

5. Telephone number

6. Title of presentation

7. 250-word abstract suitable for publication (after the conference, your abstract will be published in Animation Studies, the SAS journal; please submit any required changes within two weeks after the event has ended).

8. Biographical statement (up to 100 words) indicating how the proposed paper fits into your overall research agenda and experience.

9. Indicate if your paper is being written for publication elsewhere; if so, provide a full reference that can be published in Animation Studies.

10. If you want your completed paper to be considered for peer-review, email it along with the rest of your application materials. Send it as a separate file. Be sure to include the date by which a decision is needed—for example, if your travel funding rests on publication.

Category 2
Pre-constituted Panel (Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1)
Length: 1 hour

1. Name of chairperson/organizer

2. Professional affiliation (school or studio, for example), including title, if appropriate

3. Email address

4. Mailing address

5. Telephone number

6. Title of presentation

7. 250-word abstract suitable for publication (after the conference, your abstract will be published in Animation Studies, the SAS journal; please submit any required changes within two weeks after the event has ended).

8. List each of the proposed participants, including:

- name

- professional affiliation and title, if appropriate

- email address

9. Biographical statement (up to 200 words) indicating the relevance of the topic to the agenda of the Society for Animation Studies, as well as the general qualifications of each participant.

Category 3
Workshop for PSU graduate students (Monday and Tuesday, July 2 and 3)
Length: between two to six hours

1. Name of presenter

2. Professional affiliation (school or studio, for example), including title, if appropriate

3. Email address

4. Mailing address

5. Telephone number

6. Title of workshop

7. Length of workshop (e.g., two-hour, three-hour, four-hour, six-hour format)

8. Materials or equipment needed for the workshop

9. 250-word abstract suitable for publication (after the conference, your abstract will be published in Animation Studies, the SAS journal; please submit any required changes within two weeks after the event has ended). Please indicate how you will blend history, theory and practice. You should include an idea of the kind of exercise or project you will introduce. (Students can complete these outside the duration of the workshop.)

10. Biographical statement (up to 100 words) indicating how the proposed workshop fits into your overall research agenda and experience.

WFAC Announces Initial Titles for 2006 Animation Festival

2006-10-02T22:19:00.000-04:00

The Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema (WFAC) is pleased to announce the first ten films that will be featured at its upcoming film festival, to be held November 16th-19th, 2006 at The Gig theatre (the Hyland Cinema) in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The entire programme will be revealed November 1st, 2006.

A film festival dedicated to animated feature films from around the world, WFAC showcases the power of animation in filmmaking, and celebrates the art and the artists who work in this wonderful visual narrative form. The WFAC showcase is one of the most comprehensive public exhibitions for animated feature films in the world.

Fimfarum 2 (Jan Balej/Aurel Klimt/Bretislav Pojar/Vlasta Pospilov, Czech Republic, 2006). Four adaptations of Jan Werichs stories for small children and clever adults, by four master Czech puppet animators of different generations. For fans of puppet animation, the influence of Jirì Trnka on this film as well as protégé Kawamoto's film Shisha no Sho (also in this festival) are welcome and unmistakeable.

Fire Ball (Wang Toon, Taiwan, 2006). Finally, a true telling of the Chinese classic Journey to the West. The film traces a chapter in the quest of the monk Xuanzang and his protectors, Sun Wukong (the Monkey), Zhu Bajie (the Pig) and Sha Wujing (Sandy) for the Sutras, a set of Buddhist religious texts that point the way towards enlightenment.

Gin-iro no Kami no Agito (Spirits of the Past, Sugiyama Keiichi, Japan, 2006). In a future world 300 years from now, in which nature has turned against man, Agito meets a girl from the past who is on a mission to restore civilisation. By acclaimed anime studio GONZO.

Kirikou et les Bêtes Sauvages (Kirikou and the Wild Beasts, Michel Ocelot, France, 2005). Four enchanting tales of the tiny Kirikou, the razor-sharp little boy who was born able to speak, runs like the wind, and helps the people around him solve seemingly impossible problems. Sequel to the wonderful Kirikou and the Sorceress.

Knyaz Vladimir (Prince Vladimir, Yuri Kulakov, Russia, 2006). The story of the rise of the historical figure Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (960-1015 A.D.), who bound the Slavic tribes and forged Kievan Rus into the foundation of the modern Russian state.

Pettson and Findus: Pettsons Promise (Anders Srensen/Jrgen Lerdam, Denmark, 2005). When Findus complains that the Tomte (the Swedish equivalent of Santa Claus) never visits him, his friend Pettson decides to build a mechanical Tomte to surprise his feline friend. As Christmas approaches and the mechanical wonder doesnt seem to be enough to do the trick, some strange
miracles begin to happen.

Princes et Princesses (Princes and Princesses, Michel Ocelot, France, 2000). A retrospective screening of one of Ocelots most beautiful and creative films, in silhouette animation. A boy and a girl use a machine to stitch themselves into the costumes of people past and future, lives joyous and sad, of princes and princesses.

Princess (Anders Morgenthaler, Denmark, 2006). August, a 32-year old clergyman, returns home after years of missionary work abroad when his porno star sister dies of drug abuse, to take care of her orphaned child Mia. Wrecked by guilt and sorrow, he begins a dangerous crusade to clear his sisters name of her sordid past.

Robotech: the Shadow Chronicles (Dong-Wook Lee/Tommy Yune, U.S.A., 2006). The anime TV series of the 1980s that arguably began modern anime fandom in North America returns to the big screen. The Expeditionary Force returns to Earth, to reclaim humanitys homeworld from the Invid but the Invid may not be the enemy that mankind thinks.

Shisha no Sho (Book of the Dead, Kawamoto Kihachiro, Japan, 2005). The spirit of a long-dead prince, executed during a court intrigue, begins to haunt a young noblewoman whom it has mistaken for her ancestor - a beautiful woman who was the last thing the prince saw before he died.

For more information, please contact:

Joseph C. Chen, Curator
Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema (WFAC)
Phone: +1 (519) 404-8468
Email: joseph [at] wfac.ca

About the Festival

The Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema (WFAC) is a film festival for
animated feature films, founded to promote appreciation for animation as a
narrative medium for mature cinematic storytelling, and to review and
celebrate animated feature films in the venue they were meant to be seen in:
a theatre.

The 2006 Festival consists of three programmes: World Cinema, Retrospectives, and Tidbits. The World Cinema programme features contemporary feature films from around the world. The Retrospectives programme looks back at films of a certain theme or artistry, which have
contributed to the films of today. Last but not least, the Tidbits programme features films from small creative teams challenging the limits of what can be accomplished, to tell the stories they want to tell.

WFAC 2006 will be running November 16th-19th at The Gig theatre (the Hyland Cinema), 30 Duke Street, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Industry Pros Teach Kids at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival

2006-10-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

Artistic ambitions and creative imaginations guided by tips from industry insiders make the CICFF’s Take One! Workshops wildly successful. Thanks to a generous grant from the Hot Topic Foundation, the 23rd Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival invites children ages 7-14 to participate in the 2006 “Take One!” Workshops, October 21-22nd and October 28-29.

Whether you crave center stage or behind the scenes operations, the “Take One!” workshops have something for every innovative and determined young mind. Participants are afforded a broad selection of imagination-rich workshops catering to the creative spirit. In So You Think You’re FUNNY? budding comedians of all ages can learn the basic of film comedy and explore the comedic mediums of physical, scripted and improve comedy. Or join radio, TV, and movie personality, Shadoe Stevens, (America’s Top 40, Hollywood Squares) who used his skills and imagination to build a home-based one mile radio station at the age of 10! Shadoe is set to share his voice and personality with young enthusiasts ready to learn the basics of creative vocal use in Speakin’ Out with Shadoe Stevens.

Budding animators have two terrific choices -- the Festival’s signature Dream Screen II workshop (October 21-22) led by Mary McKay and Get It Moving (October 28) with Little Airplane Production’s Jen Oxley.

The festival’s first ‘sound design’ workshop will be offered at Chicago’s own Experimental Sound Studio led by Lou Mallozzi. And for all those aspiring actors, REM Studios will present Casting Call a two-day auditioning workshop!

“The Hot Topic Foundation is truly visionary in supporting hands-on filmmaking workshops for children,” said Nicole Dreiske, Founder and Director of the CICFF. “Giving children them the tools and technology to express themselves creatively through film is an invaluable experience.”
Take One! Workshops of the CICFF require an additional fee as indicated. Workshop space is limited, so sign up is encouraged in advance. For information regarding workshop selection, fees, times and locations, please contact the CICFF at (773) 281-9075 or visit www.cicff.org for reservations and information.

Dream Screen II Animation Workshop
Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22
Noon to 4 p.m.
Facets Lounge
Facets Multi-Media, Inc.
1517 W. Fullerton Ave
Fee $75 - For ages 11 to 14
Capacity: 25
Don’t wait! Animate! Learn what you need to know to create your own animated film from award- winning animation director Mary McKay. Sign up for this intensive, hands-on animation workshop where you will brainstorm story ideas, make your own animation figures from clay, design backgrounds and bring your creation to life. After this two-day crash course you will become an instant “film celebrity” because your original short film will have its world premiere during the second weekend of this year’s festival!

Casting Call ! – Audition Workshops for kids
Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22
Time 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
REM Studios
3511 W. Belmont Ave.
Fee $20 - Saturday session for ages 8 to 11
Sunday session for ages 12 to 14
Capacity: 20
Want to be an actor? Think you’ve got what it takes to make it on the silver screen? Join Robert Latte from Chicago’s own REM Studios, affiliated IMTA and learn how to find your mark, step into the light and make the big impression that will take you from sidewalk to screen.

Sound-Off!
Sunday, October 22
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Experimental Sound Studio
5925 N Ravenswood, Chicago
Fee $35 - For ages 10 to 14
Capacity: 15
Can you hear me now....? Having great sound is crucial to a great movie. Sound tells you where to look, how to feel and sometimes leaves an impression stronger and longer lasting than the images of the film itself. Let Lou Mallozzi of the Experimental Sound Studio show you how it’s done. Learn the basics of how sound works, proper microphone technique and create your own sound track to surprise clips on the fly.

So You Think You’re FUNNY?
Saturday, October 28
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Facets Lounge
Facets Multi-Media, Inc.
1517 W. Fullerton Ave
Fee $20 - For ages 7 to 11
Capacity: 20
What’s funny and who says so?? This lively workshop will provide an outlet for budding comedians of all ages. Stage and screen actor Nate Sears (host of Nickelodeon Live!) will introduce participants to ‘basics’ of film comedy and explore three ways of making films funny - visual and physical comedy; scripted or joke-driven comedy and improv comedy. Bring your gags, your best jokes, your silliest costumes and your funniest stories!

Get It Moving! – An Animation Workshop
Saturday, October 28
12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Facets Lounge
Facets Multi-Media, Inc.
1517 W. Fullerton Ave
Fee $35 - For ages: 11-14
Capacity 15
Stretch your imagination in this four-hour workshop led by Emmy Award-winning Animation Director, Jennifer Oxley of Little Airplane Productions, the company behind The Wonder Pets, Go Baby Farm and Oobi. Learn the cutting edge animation techniques that sent these great shows and several others into the hearts and homes of kids all over America. Play with the basic physics of stop-motion animation and recreate your favorite fairy tale with other budding animators.

Speakin’ Out with Shadoe Stevens
Sunday, October 29
Ages 11-14
11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m.
Experimental Sound Studio
5925 N Ravenswood, Chicago
Fee $35 - For ages 11-14
Capacity: 15
Do you have a voice that the world needs to hear....but no one’s listening? Want to learn basic tips on using your voice and personality in creative ways for film and television? Step into this workshop led by Shadoe Stevens, star of radio, tv and film(and the unforgettable voice of the Grammy and Emmy Awards). Come ready to breathe, focus and let ‘em hear it.

interfilm: 22nd International Short Film Festival, Berlin

2006-09-26T15:22:00.000-04:00

interfilm Berlin presents the 22nd International Short Film Festival, from November 7 - 12, 2006.

Over 4,000 films and videos from 94 countries were submitted to the interfilm offices in Berlin for the 22nd International Short Film Festival. 500 entries from diverse genres - feature, animation, documentary, children's film, music clip - were selected for competition or for special programs.

In addition to the International and German Competitions, the festival will again include special Country Focus programs, this year spotlighting short film productions from the Czech Republic and Brazil. The genre of animation will also receive extra attention, with highlight visits from prominent guests like Bruno Bozzetto (creator of Signor Rossi) and Michaela Pavlatova.

Once again this year, over 16,000 visitors are expected to attend Berlin 's second largest film festival, and the competition juries will present a total of over € 35,000 in cash and prizes to the winning films.

International Competition
Approximately 100 films will compete for the interfilm "Short Awards" in the categories of best film, best animation and best camera. In a separate competition, the best documentary will be chosen by an international jury of specialists, and yet another first-class jury will select the "Best Film Against Violence and Intolerance" from the two "Confrontations" programs.

German Competition
Now in its fourth year, the German Competition will again provide a forum for home-grown short films, most of which were produced independently. A jury will select one winner for the interfilm Short Award in the category of best German short film.

KuKi - Kids' Shorts
The KuKi program promises to be a lively filmgoing experience for young and old. An especially sophisticated children's jury will choose three best films for kids, one from each competition, 6+, 8+ and 10+. This year, KuKi also includes a program featuring children's short films from the Czech Republic , as well as the screen debut of a film produced entirely by a group of sixth graders who took part in a special film workshop preceding the festival.

Country Focus: Czech Republic and Brazil
In the country focus on the Czech Republic , the emphasis lies on something for which our Eastern neighbor is especially well known: excellent animation. Animated realities created at the renowned Prague film school FAMU, a selection of entries from "Anifest" in Prague , and a retrospective on the the Czech animation artist Jan Švankmajer will provide a look at the wide spectrum of Czech animation.

In cooperation with the "Cachaça Cine Club" in Rio de Janeiro, interfilm Berlin offers visitors the opportunity to experience the diversity of the Brazilian short film scene in five thematic programs. The selection varies widely – from documentative perspectives to short films from the Brazilian slums to an early work by the Oscar-winning director Fernando Mereilles ("City of God ").

Eject
interfilm calls once again upon the audience to pick their favorite among the strangest short films at "Eject – Midnight Movie Madness" at the Volksbühne. A party will follow the competition at Roter Salon.

Special Programs

ICONS
Two programs are dedicated to the Italian animation filmmaker Bruno Bozzetto , whose most famous creation is Signor Rossi. Bozzettos feature-length film "Allegro non troppo" will open the program, and the director will be present at the film presentations. In addition, a retrospective on Jan Švankmajer spotlights the work of this significant Czech animation artist. Švankmajer's surreal, nightmarish, and yet comical films penetrate the depths of the soul with fantastical images, plucked straight from childhood fears and obsessions.

LOCAL HEROES
Berlin in Brief presents stories from the capital. There's something for every Berlin-lover, from a historical time-lapse film on the Wall to social criticism on Potsdamer Platz, or performances in public spaces.

TOP OF THE LEAGUE
A selection of award-winning European short films will be shown in the Zebra Poetry Film Award and Best of Cartoon D'Or programs.

DIGITAL TRACKS
The special program Clipped – Music and Animation shows collages of music, images and animation, and there will be programs featuring international and national music videos.

interfilm +
Documentaries that blur the defining lines of the genre are the subject of Reality Bites. Clichés, bizarre characters and events presented in a documentative style beg the question: What makes a documentary a documentary?

The program AsianDeli will show contemporary Asian productions, while AsiAnima will focus on animation trends from East Asia.

The New York television station Thirteen/WNET presents a regular series of film productions by local, independent filmmakers and video artists on the label Reel N.Y. Curator Garrison Botts will present an exquisite selection of groundbreaking, award-winning, experimental film classics from the fifties and sixties at the interfilm Festival.

The short film nominees for the European Academy Short Award (Prix UIP) will be presented in two programs. The Prix UIP is a short film initiative of United International Pictures and the European Film Academy , in cooperation with 14 European festivals.

Cortidos presents current productions from Spain and Latin America , and Oz Shorts offers a selection of Australian productions from 2005.

The international program Hands up! focuses on the subject of deafness and deaf culture, with animation, documentaries, experimental and classic short films.

Forum
Accompanying the film programs will be visual presentations, podium discussions and lectures by international visitors.

Panel: Focus on Animation
Animation is also the central theme of the discussion rounds this year. Participants in the discussion "A life in motion: Careers in animation film" can exchange views on developments in animation with the filmmakers Bruno Bozzetto and Michaela Pavlatova, with selected animated shorts as examples. Workshops providing insights into the genre will also be offered beforehand.

Lecture/Panel: YouTube & Co.
The wide spectrum of films available on internet platforms will be presented, followed by a discussion on its consequences for short film.

Flipbook
The self-described flipbookographer Volker Gerling combines film, photography, and performances for his photographic flipbooks. The images, brought to life using the thumb, learn how to run on screen by video technique, and the flipbook becomes a mini-blockbuster. Accompanied by poetic stories of his travels through Germany , Gerling draws sensitive perceptive portraits of people and places.

Children's Workshop
As a part of KuKi, and in cooperation with selected Berlin schools, interfilm initiated a children's film workshop, this year with the environmental motto "Don't just throw me away!". Children between the ages of nine and twelve participating in the workshop wrote a script and produced their own film, which will celebrate its screen premier at the interfilm Festival. Kindly supported by Zapf Umzüge and the magazine "Naturschutzblätter."

QuickFlick , a worldwide monthly digital video festival in which young filmmakers create individual films on a provided theme, presents productions from the imaginative capitals of the world.

In addition, especially driven filmmakers can accept the challenge to make a short film on a specific theme during the festival, which will then be presented to the festival audience.

Parties

Opening Night
Tue Nov. 7, 8pm
Volksbühne on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
Party at Roter Salon, 1am

Festival Lounge
Festival visitors can stop by the Festival Lounge in the Volksbühne Roter Salon ("Red Room") from Nov. 8 – 12 (except Saturday) to see a mix of clip screenings, veejaying, deejaying and live entertainment. The "Eject" party will also take place here on Friday Nov. 10 , parallel to the film program.

Festival Party
Sat Nov. 11, 11pm
The central festival party will take place at Club 103, Falckensteinstr. 47, in Kreuzberg, with numerous superior international live acts and deejays, a spectacular video installation and local deejays. Free shuttle service from Kino babylon berlin:mitte to Club 103 provided!

Awards Ceremony
Sun Nov. 12, 8pm
Babylon Berlin:Mitte
Party at Volksbühne Roter Salon, 10pm

Film Market
During the festival, journalists and guests visiting in an occupational capacity are welcome to visit the Film Market, where all films submitted to the festival may be viewed.

The Festival Office and Film Market are located at Kino Babylon Berlin:Mitte.

Event Locations
Babylon Berlin:Mitte
Hackesche Höfe Filmtheater
Volksbühne on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
Roter Salon in the Volksbühne
Club 103 in Berlin-Kreuzberg

interfilm Berlin is sponsored by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the EU Media Program.

DOK Leipzig - 49th International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film

2006-09-08T23:18:00.000-04:00

DOK Leipzig
49th International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated film
30th October to 5th November 2006

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DOK INDUSTRY - Networking 2006 in Leipzig

- DOK Market Digital - Viewing, Buying and Evaluating at the touch of a button
- International DOK Leipzig Co-Production Meeting - Networking & Exploring New Markets
- Leipzig Screening - Exclusive & Concise
- Final Pitching Discovery Campus Masterschool
- Forum - Innovations in Documentary Television
- DOK Summits - Opportunities for Talk and Discussion
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DOK Leipzig is the largest German documentary film festival with important productions from all over the world; with competitions, special programmes, retrospectives, dedicated film discussions, and - last but not least - an enthusiastic audience. But DOK Leipzig is more than that: it is also an international meeting point for industry professionals. Last year, there was an increase of 25% in respect of professional visitors, coming to our industry events. This success as well as positive feedback encouraged us to expand our industry offers. Our target is an annual meeting point in Germany for all film-makers, producers, commissioning editors, distributors and journalists working in the documentary film industry. With its new offers, DOK Leipzig creates a platform for the distribution of finished productions, the financing of new ideas, the promotion of the next generation of film-makers and a platform for networking amongst film professionals world-wide.

DOK Markt Digital - Viewing, Buying and Evaluating at the touch of a button
DOK Market offers professionals and international buyers the opportunity to view all current films of the festival programme as well as approximately 250 other selected international productions, all categorised by genre. This year, the Market will be fully digitalised, i.e. all films can be viewed, commented and evaluated quickly and professionally at the touch of a button. With this innovation, DOK Leipzig is one of the first documentary film festivals world-wide offering this very efficient evaluation method for all international productions of the year. In terms of content, the Market focus is directed at productions from German speaking countries, central and eastern Europe as well as Asia. DOK Market Digital is an initiative by DOK Leipzig and the MDM - Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung - with the support of the Sächsische Staatskanzlei.

2nd International DOK Leipzig Co-Production Meeting - Networking & Exploring New Markets
Approximately 40 producers from Canada, China and Germany will be present at the 2nd International DOK Leipzig Co-production Meeting, in order to get a detailed and realistic insight into markets and co-production opportunities in the respective countries. The Co-production Meeting also provides room for mutual presentations of film projects in individual one-to-one sessions. DOK Leipzig collaborates with important partners: the Co-production Meeting is carried out in collaboration with the largest North-American film festival Hot Docs in Toronto and the national Chinese film festival GZDOC (Guangzhou).

Leipzig Screening - Exclusive & Concise
For the first time, DOK Leipzig will present the best new German cinema documentaries and TV-documentaries in co-operation with German Films. Screenings will be exclusively for international television buyers and distributors. With its three sections German Competition, DOK Market and Leipzig Screening, DOK Leipzig provides a comprehensive overview of documentary film-making in Germany, and actively promotes international distribution of German films.

Final Pitching of the Discovery Campus Masterschool
This year, the renowned final pitching of the Discovery Campus Masterschool will take place for the second time alongside the festival. Twenty European film-makers and producers will present finished and production ready documentary film projects to approximately 45 international TV-buyers. 150 professional visitors will take part as observers in this nationally unique event, organised by Discovery Campus.

DOK Summits - Opportunities for Talk and Discussion
In the past two festival years, our DOK Summit panel discussions have become integral part of the supplement programme at the Leipzig Festival and attracted up to 150 of all international visitors. The summits are organised in collaboration with the Mitteldeutschen Medienförderung and serve as discussion forum for international industry professionals to discuss 'hot issues' regarding trends, working conditions, aesthetics and ethics in documentary film and television.

Forum - Innovations in Documentary Television
In times of increased diversification of broadcasters and slots, what ideas do the people responsible for television across the globe come up with to attract and retain their audiences? Selected international commissioning editors and producers present excerpts from their latest productions that fathom the boundaries of documentary television. The presentation is followed by an open discussion about the boundaries of the technologically possible in the field of digital image manipulation, the boundaries in the fusion of documentary and fictional images, the boundaries in the hybridising of genres, the boundaries in formatted television and, last but not least, ethical boundaries.

For more Information please contact:
DOK Market Digital & Industry Offers | +49 341 308 64 16 | markt [at] dok-leipzig [dot] de
DOK Leipzig | Press Office | +49 341 308 64 16 | presse [at] dok-leipzig [dot] de
www.dok-leipzig.de