WHAT A NIGHT THAT WAS!!! An event we will remember for years. For me it was gratifying to see the students again. When you do a project like this you tend to form bonds with your co-workers.

OIAF is a huge event, with lots of activities in numerous venues. As the festival came to a close on Sunday night, it was a pleasure to be able to sink down into the seats of the ByTowne Theatre and watch the Best of the Fest – the award-winning animation shorts.

Exhibitors including Walt Disney, Rainmaker, Nelvana, Pipeline Studios, Starz and Studio B, as well as such schools as Algonquin College, Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, Sheridan College, Carleton University Interactive Media and Design, Vancouver Film School and Durham College made the AniMarket a huge part of Day 4.

OIAF’s Chez Ani Café was transformed from a peaceful koffeeklatch to the crowded, boisterous AniMarket as throngs of job-hungry animators jostled to get in line and chat up recruiting companies.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) comes to an end with the highly anticipated closing ceremonies held this evening at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau. Organizers announced the winners of the official competition during the ceremonies.

Coraline director Henry Selick and the annual Animator Picnic / Pumpkin Carving Contest highlight Day 3 at the Ottawa Animation Festival.

Only at OIAF can you get a chance to talk about the crazy Balloon Boy escapade with veteran Simpsons director David Silverman, and get to compare that incident with a Simpsons episode where prankster Bart pretends to be little Timmy, a boy who has fallen down a well. Happily, like Bart/Timmy, Balloon Boy was safe and sound the whole time.

The premiere of PETE’S ODYSSEY went extremely well last Friday night, October 9th at Bloomsfield College in New Jersey. It has taken me a week to come back to Earth and resume my daily tasks. Here's a "making of" video clip.

"The Simpson's Movie" director David Silverman spoke to a packed house on Day 2 of the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Day 1 of the 2009 Ottawa International Animation Festival got off to a brisk start with the Television Animation Conference (TAC) plus 41°F weather.

The 20th annual Cartoon Forum took place September 22-25 in the beautiful town of Stavanger, Norway. Always marked by a convivial atmosphere, the event in this milestone year had an especially positive and cohesive vibe, with attendees seemingly enjoying simply being together to share their common enthusiasm.

It’s a good life when your job involves watching cartoons.

OIAF 2009 got off to a brisk start in equally brisk Ottawa weather of just 5°C or 41°F.

The 20th annual Cartoon Forum took place September 22-25 in the beautiful town of Stavanger, Norway, capital of the coastal fjord-filled county of Rogaland.

The National Film Board of Canada will present nine new shorts at the event's 33rd edition (Oct. 14–18), three of them in competition.

Rick DeMott had a chance to chat with Heather Kenyon, Head of Sales and Project Development at Starz Animation, to find out more about the growing studio.

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announces its 'Call for Entries' for this year's 37th Annual Annie Awards.

The OIAF, which runs from October 14-18, welcomes several animation legends including Pixar’s Ronnie del Carmen (UP), Henry Selick (CORALINE), David Silverman (THE SIMPSONS), along with retrospective screenings of award-winning animators Don Hertzfeldt, Stan VanDerBeek, Suzan Pitt, Jim Blashfield, and Studio Film Bilder.

Ted Thomas discusses the making of his new documentary, Walt & El Grupo, revealing a hidden chapter in the fabled life of Walt Disney.

Now for the first time in the history of animation ADA creates a professional league among animators, similar to those of NFL, NBA, and MLB. ADA divided the planet into four divisions and each division will consist of 30 professional teams. In order to select the best teams there will be held a 16-week Championship starting on October 7. The main prize is $100,000 but every week you will also have a chance to win $10,000. Absolutely anybody who created an animated clip and uploaded it to www.adasport.com can take part in the Championship. Animated clips can be in any animation genre and the duration should be from 15-60 seconds. The animated character in the clip should perform any dance to any kind of music. You will find more information on ADA’s official website: www.adasport.com.