Ottawa is the widely considered the best animation festival in North America. Courtesy of Ottawa International Animation Festival.

To most animators across North America, Ottawa is the greatest animation festival there is. I know many people who will time the release of their short films to coincide with the deadlines of either Ottawa or Sundance. It’s always troubled me that a continent so massive and populated has but one major animation festival. Oh well, at least it’s a good one.

The first Ottawa Animation Festival was held in 1976, the days when Norman Maclaren, as well as the headquarters of the National Film Board, called Ottawa home. I was stoked to learn that many of the events we enjoyed this year were traditions that started with the very first festival. It makes me wonder if Oskar Fischinger stayed at the Chateau Laurier (the hotel to see and be seen in), seems like a man of style. I myself stayed at the Holiday Inn. Maybe next year I’ll throw down for some high class digs.

I also wonder what Norman Mclaren, the first honorary president, would think of artistic director Chris Robinson. Ah yes... Before anyone can fully understand the Ottawa experience, one must get to know the reluctant poster-boy for the contemporary Ottawa festival. His introductions to the screenings set a strange tone. Sometimes I don’t know when to laugh, I get confused. But then again I always get confused. Chris’s dry humor and scabbed fists guarantee no lack of interesting dialogue. As I write this, I just got an email:

Patrick-
If you slam the festival on AWN, I’m coming to piss all over your friends living office stairs... then I’m gonna torch Friends DVDs worldwide. after I watch Quincy. which is now on from 11:00 am-12:00 pm daily. makes life smooth. and don’t mention your gayness.

Festival’s artistic director Chris Robinson with his son, Garvis. Photo by Karl Staven. Courtesy of Ottawa International Animation Festival. Photo credit: Petr Maur.

I could dissect for you all the private jokes that I’ve had a privilege to share with Chris, but I’ll save it for another time. The fact of the matter is that I have only a few hours to write this before Friends is on, channel 11 here in NYC [New York City]. Score. On that note, let’s continue to the 2004 festival. Shall we?

Wednesday September 22, 2004
Arrival
Americans love Canada. We can fish, we can drink when we’re 18,and we can hang out with people that are so much more mellow and happier than us. I thought Canada would be cold. Apparently it was un-seasonably warm during the festival. I would not be exaggerating to say it’s some of the best weather the Earth has ever produced. Sometimes it was painful to sit inside a theater and watch films, but that’s why we all came. I was relieved the flight was short, only an hour or so. I have no excuse not to visit more often.

Diving right into it, Shorts Competition 1, was the first screening I attended. Highlights: Lorenzo, directed by Michael Gabriel. This film won at Annecy, and I loved seeing it again. Perhaps the success of this film will spur the Disney studio to produce more original short content. Striking Daughter, directed by Takashi Kimura. Quite possibly the most bizarre animation of all time, love it or hate it, it’s a must-see. Moodswing, directed by Pieter Coudyzer. This was one of my favorites of the entire festival; Pieter has created a dark, textured, thought-provoking monster! Another must-see.

Wednesday ended with an epic party at a great Irish Bar, The Irish Village. You could tell everyone was stoked to be there and ready to immerse themselves in animation. Chumps like myself were able to mingle with the likes of Chris Hinton and Gary Baseman. As well as two of the esteemed judges, Signe Baumane and Mo Willems. A good time for all. Got back to my deluxe suite around 3:00 am. The pay television would not let me order I, Robot. I still haven’t seen that damn movie.