By Tony Willis

Blipvfx Productions

Well as always Hong Kong is a great host to people from around the world and as always puts on a fabulous show. I arrived in Hong Kong and have not stopped meeting people for 4 days, which is great.

The first day saw me wandering around the digital media hall, which I have to say was bigger better prepared and a lot more digital content was around. Many more animation companies, lots of visual effects companies and of course cameras films and hardware for stereoscopic filming. In fact very hi technology was all around, but also low technology was also in abundance, (Hong Kong always has its own solutions) this bodes well as much of this was Hong Kong based, and you absolute need a multiply approach to this type of work.

I managed to meet many old friends there and touch base with many new friends, so the social aspect of Filmart is excellent, even if you find out that these new friends was only down the street from you.

 

By Nancy Phelps

For me the New Year really starts when I go to ANIMA Brussels each year in the beautiful, historic Flagey.  For ten days it becomes the center of the animation world.

The This is Belgium programs are always a highlight for me since they are a chance to see the newest works from of the Walloon and Flemish regions of the country I live in.  I had been curious to see Natasha, the new film by Russian born Roman Klochkov who has lived in Gent since he was seventeen.  Roman’s multi-award winning film The Administrators is a humorous, but all too true tale of government  bureaucracy run wild.  Natasha takes us into the world of immigrants trying to assimilate in a new world.

AniFest celebrates the centennial of Czech puppet Master Jiří Trnka with the dedication of AniFest 2012 to the magic of film puppets. Exploring the life of film puppets in the 21st Century, a retrospective of Trnka’s films has been scheduled, along with a unique exhibition of puppets, scripts, original designs and photographs from family archives. Program highlights include film screenings and puppets from Estonia’s Nukufilm Studio, presentations from world-renowned studios such as Mackinnon&Saunders and SE-MA-FOR, and a workshop on how to make your own film puppet.

Festival organizers announced that British animator, director, designer and teacher Barry Purves has accepted the role of honorary president of AniFest 2012. Purves is known as one of the most influential figures in stop-motion, as well as a representative of queer cinema, and will be presenting the best of his films with talks about his work and background, and will explain the entire process of making his masterpieces.

Official Annecy 2012 Poster,

created by Marion Franck.

Announcement from The Annecy Festival:

The Annecy Festival announced the official selections for the 2012 edition of the festival, comprised of 49 short films, 55 graduation films, and 60 TV and commissioned films, including 21 TV series, two TV specials and 37 commissioned films. 40 short films were also selected outside of competition.

“This year, there was an infinite richness to be found in the films sent in, both in the techniques used and the topics that ranged from the lightest to the most serious,” commented Annecy 2012 artistic director Serge Bromberg. “Of the 2,374 films submitted – not including feature films – (387 more than last year), we were able to take a trip around the world of animation and its messages, the pleasures of cinema and the incredible talent expressed therein. We laughed, we cried, and we had a lot of doubts as choosing was very difficult. It’s this quality, this diversity and this infinite richness that is the salt of a Festival like our own. Many thanks to the creators and animators for this wonderful gift.”

 

By Haley Hughes

Part musical, part action, all comedy, A Monster in Paris is a fun, yet convoluted, Disneyesque feature directed by Bibo Bergeron and written by Bergeron and Stephane Kazandjian.  With the voice talents of Adam Goldberg, as the excitable Raoul, Jay Harrington, as the unconfident Emile, and Vanessa Paradis as the courageous Lucille; the plot follows the group along with their monkey friend, Charles, as they attempt to protect the title character, voiced by the brilliant Sean Lennon, from the police, all while exposing him to song and dance.

 

By Rick DeMott

If you asked me whether the Annies had become irrelevant a few years ago, I, and many in and around the animation industry, would have quickly said, yes. But see what a few years have done. The Disney boycott really forced the hand of ASIFA and put them into a position to fix the problems many had been complaining about for years. Moves such as keeping Annie voting to professionals and forming the member's favorite category for the larger membership have gone a long way in bringing a sense of legitimacy back to the long running awards show.

 

By Linda Beck

To get the most out of KidScreen, you need to set up as many meetings as you can ahead of time and on the fly with other delegates and/or companies.  In order to have meetings, you need to have something to talk about and that's usually a property you'd like to pitch or an idea of what you'd like to option with which you'd like to partner.  The opportunities are there, but dance cards fill up quickly.

 

Click Here to Signup Online!

Are you science? Are you art? Do you daydream of computations or calculate in creativity? Are you a student? If so, you will find yourself right at home at SIGGRAPH 2012. Science and art will come together in one outstanding international conference to explore computer graphics and interactive techniques from both points of view, and YOU can be a part of it!

The SIGGRAPH 2012 Student Volunteer Program is a unique opportunity for students to meet people involved in all areas of the computer graphics industry while contributing to the overall success of the SIGGRAPH Conference. The industry's future leaders are encouraged to apply: students who demonstrate leadership, service, and a passion for computer graphics and interactive techniques.

 

 

By Nancy Phelps

For five days every year the historic town of Fredrikstad, Norway becomes the center of Nordic/Baltic animation.  The festival brings in an illustrious roster of names from the international animation community and this year was no exception.

I am a fan of Ren and Stimpy but had never met John Kricfalusi.  He turned out to be as delightfully wacky and fun as his characters.  During his Masters of Animation presentation he talked about characters and films that inspired him and he showed animation classics from UPA and Disney among others to illustrate his points.  He also shared excerpts from his favorite live action Hollywood films which he considers just as good, if not a better inspiration for cartoonists as classic cartoons.  I was fascinated to learn what a big influence film noir played in his life.

by Catherine Branscome-Morrissey

If you’re from South East Asia, China, Japan or Korea, Singapore’s modern architectural skylines may not wow you as much as a Westerner.  And I imagine, if you are from the region, the proliferation and impact of Asia’s animation production isn’t news to you either.  After all, Asia’s “animation moon” has been full and shining brightly for many years, decades even for some countries.