From September 19^th to 23rd, the nation’s capital will once again become the center of the animation universe.  The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is the largest event of its kind in North America, a major film event attracting attendees from around the world. Film buffs, art lovers and cartoon fans won’t want to miss this year’s great line up of screenings taking place at ByTowne Cinema, National Gallery of Canada, Empire Theatres Rideau Centre and Arts Court Theatre.

Du 19 au 23 septembre, la capitale du pays deviendra le centre de l’univers de l’animation. Le Festival International de l’Animation d’Ottawa est un évènement prestigieux qui attire des spectateurs de partout dans le monde. Mordus de films, amateurs d’art et adeptes de dessins animés ne voudront surtout pas manquer la superbe programmation de cette année. Les projections auront lieu au Cinéma Bytowne, au Musée des beaux-arts, la Cour des Arts et Empire Theatres – Centre Rideau.

Event Highlights:

• Screenings
• Special presentations
• Workshops
• Parties
• Art exhibits
• Trade shows

Festival Information:

General information: 613.232.8769

General information email: info@animationfestival.ca

Location:

Bytowne Cinema, 325 Rideau St., Ottawa ON

National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON

Empire Theatres Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON

Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave., Ottawa, ON

On the Web:

Website: www.animationfestival.ca

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/OttawaAnimationFest

Map:

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The Ottawa International Animation Festival is back for its 35th year, with a mix of work by veterans like Koji Yamamura, Paul Driessen, Bill Plympton, and entries from animation’s newest young rising stars.

Every year, said artistic director Christopher Robinson, the official competition event is the heart of the festival.

“That’s where everybody can come in and see the latest hot animation from around the world. Every year that’s always exciting,” he said. “You’re watching short films mixed with TV ads mixed with experimental films, so you really get the whole spectrum of animation in one go. Maybe you don’t like a couple of films, but you might love the next film.”

Read more on the Metro Ottawa website: Festival draws many stars from animation

A Glebe Collegiate Grade 12 student is excited his film is among the few that were selected to be screened when thousands of film buffs, art lovers, filmmakers and cartoonists descend on Ottawa for the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Paper Man, a new short film by David Borish that will be making its world premiere at the Sept. 21-25 festival, presents a unique animation adventure come to life.

“I’m super excited for my work to be on display, since I want to get as many people to see it as possible,” said 17-year-old Borish.

His film is one of only five high school films selected to be part of the festival’s High School category.

Read more on the Your Ottawa Region website: GCI student’s film to premiere at animation fest

With the Ottawa International Animation festival opening today, organizers worked overtime to get ready for an expected 27,000 cartoon enthusiasts.

“The staff has been up late trying to get everything ready in time,” said festival managing director Kelly Neall. “It’s always a mad rush at the end to prepare everything, but we’re almost there. Everybody’s pretty excited.”

Full Story: Mad rush for animation festival

Anyone who thinks that animation is an art form strictly for children should have a look at Roof Sex, a short, sharp, cheekily amusing American film in which two livingroom chairs have a wild time together on an apartment building rooftop, without using upholstery covers for protection.

It’s just one of dozens of edgy pieces among the more than 140 films from around the world that will be on Ottawa screens as part of the Ottawa International Animation Festival. The annual festival opens today and runs to Oct. 24, at venues that include the ByTowne Cinema and the National Gallery of Canada.

The festival includes family and children-oriented screenings, including short films from Disney, Pixar and Ottawa’s Amberwood Entertainment, but festivalgoers will also see a wide range of films that are decidedly not recommended for children — films with serious themes that include mental illness and abusive fathers.

Full story: Cartoons and beyond

OIAF attendees also have a chance to meet with animation filmmakers from around the world during the “Meet the Filmmakers” breakfast to take place at the Arts Court studio from Thursday, October 21 to Sunday, October 24 at 9 a.m.

OIAF 2010 features the best new animated movies, short films, and music videos from Canada and around the world, and a guest list to match. This year’s extravaganza of screenings, workshops and special events are taking place at venues such as Bytowne, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Arts Court, and Empire Theatres – Rideau Centre.

Selected from this year’s 2091 entries, the Official Competition screenings collect 90 of the top, new animated works. Attendees of the festival get a chance to view Oscar-winning films such as, Logorama, a highly entertaining film which illustrates everyone and everything as advertising logos.

This year, the “Feature Competition” includes: The Illusionist (France) by Sylvain Chomet, a follow-up to Chomet’s Oscar-nominated film, The Triplets of Belleville; Goodbye Mister Christie (Canadian Premiere) by Phil Mulloy (United Kingdom); One Piece Film Strong World (Canadian Premiere) by Munehisa Sakai (Japan); Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then (Canadian Premiere) by Brent Green (U.S.A.); and Midori-Ko (World Premiere) by Keita Kurosaka (Japan).

There are also many great films that are not in competition but are being shown through the OIAF’s “Out-of-Competition” Showcase. Audiences have a chance to view films such as the National Film Board of Canada’s award-winning Lipsett Diaries by Theodore Ushev; Pixar’s acclaimed new short, Day and Night; and the ever-popular Walt Disney’s latest short, Tick Tock Tale.

Also this year, the OIAF is paying homage to Japanese animation with a four-part program showcasing independent filmmakers, including the godfather of Anime, Osamu Tezuka.

The following are the other highlights of the OIAF 2010 “Special Screenings”:

• “Furniture of My Mind,” an engaging look at our relationship with our furniture;
• “Let’s Go Crazy,” a selection of films and new independent shorts about mental health;
• “XX in Animation: Taking a Peek at Work by Women,” a collection of films by women, about women;
• “Winnipeg DIY Animation: Improvised Art Explosions or Cheap Skates,” focuses on Winnipeg’s overlooked animators, those who chose to improvise and create animation on the cheap rather than get left behind;
• “The Inappropriate for Children Show,” a midnight movie collection of wild and unsettling cartoons originally meant for kids, but almost too strange for adults;
• “Solve Et Coagula: Surrealism and Magic Realism in Czech Animation,” a unique collection of films by Czech animators who infuse personal style, political and social beliefs into their work;
• “Under the Sun: BravoFACT! at 15,” features highlights from Bravo!FACT’s animation oeuvre, from breakout hits like the Oscar®-nominated I Met The Walrus through mobile phone delights like Theodore Ushev’s, Sou.

OIAF 2010 Family Activities

The OIAF is offering an Animation School Fair for anyone interested in a career in animation on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24 at the Arts Court. Teens are FREE on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can also attend a FREE hands-on workshop presented by the National Film Board of Canada, “Introduction to Animation.” Teens must obtain an Adobe Toon Apprentice pass in advance by contacting the OIAF before October 14 or they can pick up a pass in-person at the OIAF box office on October 18. Pre-registration is required for the workshop by calling: (613) 232-8769.

Bring your kids to the “Short Films for Kids” competition (October 23 and 24), the “TV for Kids” competition (October 21 and 23), and the FREE hands-on workshop at the Arts Court on October 24. Pre-registration is required by calling: (613) 232-8769.

Plus, get a free sneak peak of the new Teletoon series, Skatoony, and participate in an interactive activity, “Get Your Skatoony Game On,” on Sunday, October 24 at the Arts Court.

Tickets to the festival are $12 (adults) and $7 (children) at the door. You can also purchase a flexible animation six-pack (6 tickets at the cost of 5 tickets) to avoid the line-ups.

For more information or a complete list of films, schedules, special screenings, workshops, and events at this year’s festival, please visit the OIAF website at: www.animationfestival.ca or call: (613) 232-8769.

About the Ottawa International Animation Festival

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub. More than 27,000 film buffs, art lovers, producers, and cartoon fans are expected to attend the OIAF, the largest animation event in North America. OIAF 2010 is taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from October 20 to 24.

The following is a list of special workshops, activities and events for parents to consider:

FREE! FAMILY HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
(Pre-registration is Required at: 613-232-8769)
(Sunday, October 24, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the McLaren Workshop. IFCO – the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative of Ottawa, 2 Daly Ave, Suite 140, Ottawa, Ontario) – Jump into the magic of animation with one of Norman McLaren’s favourite techniques: pixillation! Afterwards, you will be asked to make your own version of McLaren’s classic Le Merle (The Blackbird), animation of paper cut-outs on a light table.

Get Your Skatoony Game On!
(Sunday, October 24, 1:00 p.m. at the Arts Court Theatre) – Join TELETOON for a FREE sneak peak of the awesome new series Skatoony followed by a super fun Skatoony-related interactive activity with cool prizes to be won! In what country would you find the city of Beijing? What is the season that comes before summer called? TELETOON invites kids to get their Skatoony game on during a fun-filled afternoon that will include a preview of the first episode of the brand new series Skatoony. The series will then come alive for the audience with an activity that will test their Skatoony knowledge.

STOP MOTION ANIMATION WORKSHOP
(Saturday, October 16 & Sunday, October 17 at the Canada Science and Technology Museum) – Fun animation tricks, games and more with the National Film Board during National Science and Technology Week at the Museum. Learn about the exciting world of animation and experience it firsthand with professional workshop facilitators. $5 per person. Space is limited. To register, call: 613-991-3053 or e-mail: sciencetech.technomuses.ca and bring your imagination to life!

FREE! ANIMATION CELE BRATION
(Pre-registration Required at: 613-232-8769)
(Thursday, October 21, 9:30am and 11:00am at the National Gallery of Canada) – Animation Celebration offers Ottawa-area elementary school children (ages 8 to12) an introduction to the art of animation. In 2010, LAIKA animation studio will take you behind-the-scenes of the Oscar-nominated Coraline (2009), the first stop-motion animated feature to be conceived and photographed in stereoscopic 3D. Experience a different perspective of Coraline’s animated world where intricate puppets and sets are meticulously hand-made and animated, frame-by-frame. Production puppets from the movie will also be on display.

ANIMATION SCHOOL FAIR WITH SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS AND FREE SCREENINGS (Pre-registration is required at: 613-232-8769.)
(Friday, October 22, 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the National Gallery of Canada) – This is the ideal event for teens interested in a career in animation. See presentations by animation schools from across the country, meet one-on-one with school representatives at their information tables in the lobby and catch two specially programmed screenings. Also in attendance are: Durham College Animation and Carleton’s Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT).

Schedule:

9:45am – 10:15am M ax the Mutt Animation School
10:30am – 11:00am Sheridan College
11:00am – 12:30pm Free Screening: International Showcase 2
1:00pm – 1:30pm Algonquin College
1:45pm – 2:15pm Vancouver Film School
2:30pm – 3:00pm Emily Carr University
3:00pm – 4:30pm Free Screening: Student Showcase

ANIMATION SCHOOL FAIR
(Saturday, October 23, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Arts Court – Studio)
(Sunday, October 24, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Arts Court – Studio)
All the leading animation schools will be waiting to meet with teens interested in pursuing a career in animation. While teens are there, they can browse the Ottawa International Animation Festival’s Aniboutique for books, DVDs, t-shirts and more.

FREE! ADOBE TOON APPRENTICE PASS
(Good ALL day Saturday, October 23, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at ALL venues)
The Festival is FREE for teens all day Saturday (9:00am to 6:00pm). To order, visit www.animationfestival.ca or call 613.232.8769. There will also be a limited number of passes available at the Ottawa International Animation Festival Reception in the Arts Court during the event.

FREE! NFB HANDS-ON TEEN WORKSHOP: INTRODUCTION TO ANIMATION
(Pre-registration is Required at: 613-232-8769)
(Saturday, October 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at IFCO – Independent Filmmakers Cooperative of Ottawa offices – 2 Daly Ave, Suite 140, Ottawa)
An intense initiation to animation. Each team will study the steps involved in the creation of an animated short film. This will enable them to discover and explore the principles of animation. On each set, an animator from the NFB CinéRobothèque will be on hand to guide each team in this incredible endeavour. At the end of the day, each team will have created an animated short film!

About the Ottawa International Animation Festival

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub. More than 27,000 film buffs, art lovers, producers, and cartoon fans are expected to attend the OIAF, the largest animation event in North America. OIAF 2010 is taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from October 20 to 24. For more information, visit: www.animationfestival.ca.

“While crazy behaviour has long been a basic ingredient in comedy,” said Guest Curator and Animation Historian, Karl Cohen, “Historically, dramatic film rarely depicted mental illness, except for token mad scientists, criminally insane masterminds or rage-filled monsters. In recent years, a handful of animators have pioneered new styles of animated storytelling able to portray the serious side of life and the complexities of mental health.”

“Let’s Go Crazy” brings together a selection of animation portraying mental health, from Looney Toons to new independent shorts, each depicting how minds work in unique ways.

Some of the films included in the “Let’s Go Crazy” program are: The Case of the Stuttering Pig by Frank Tashlin; Tex Avery’s, Happy Go Nutty; The Tell Tale Heart from Ted Parmelle; Mike Judge’s, Beavis and Butthead; The Spine by Chris Landreth; and the Oscar-winning film, Harvie Krumpet.

 For a complete list of films, schedules, special screenings and events at this year’s OIAF, visit: www.animationfestiva.ca.

About Ottawa International Animation Festival

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub that attracts more than 27,000 artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world. OIAF 2010 is being held from October 20 to 24 in Ottawa, Ontario. For more information, visit the OIAF website at: www.animationfestival.ca.

A recent change in venue has brought more locals to Ottawa’s International Animation Festival, a trend that’s been evident since the 1990s, says Chris Robinson, the OIAF’s artistic director.

Ottawa’s annual International Animation Festival features animated film shorts and full feature films from filmmakers based in Canada and across the globe.

“There’s still a misconception about what animation is,” Neall says, adding that the films they show aren’t simply cartoons but amazing, thought provoking films. “Each one is a work of art.”

Though animation has grown, it’s still a niche art form that brings in a select audience, Robinson says. The OIAF exposes its audience to a different type of animation that’s not always seen on TV.

He says his goal over the last decade has been to change the perception of animation and make others realize it’s for everybody.

Full story available on the Centretown News website: Local animation festival sees surge in new visitors

Image: Still from the movie, “The Bright, the Bad and the Ugly”

For proof of what a group of preteens can accomplish over two months of lunch breaks with the help of some popsicle sticks, a few light bulbs and a camera, see this year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival.

One official selection, a stop-motion short film called The Bright, the Bad and the Ugly was written, shot and directed by a Grade 5 class at Grosvenor Wentworth Park School in Halifax. Their tale of the town of Squander, a tumbleweed-infested homestead populated by energy-wasting light bulbs, beat out more than 70 other entries from across the globe to win one of five spots in the high-school category.

Chris Robinson, the festival’s artistic director, said they are the only grade-school class to ever win a spot in that category.

Full story on the Globe and Mail website: Fifth-graders make the cut at international film festival