10th Annual VES Awards
February 7, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills

 

The Visual Effects Society (VES) is the entertainment industry's only organization representing the full breadth of visual effects practitioners including artists, technologists, model makers, educators, studio leaders, supervisors, PR/marketing specialists and producers in all areas of entertainment from film, television and commercials to music videos and games. Comprised of a diverse group of more than 2,300 members in 26 countries, the VES strives to enrich and educate its own members and members of the entertainment community at large through a multitude of domestic and international events, screenings and programs.

The Visual Effects Society announced the nominees for its 10th Annual VES Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games. Nominees were chosen Saturday, January 7 by distinguished panels of VES members who viewed submissions at the FotoKem screening facilities in Burbank and New York, FotoKem’s Spy in San Francisco, and other facilities in London, Sydney, Vancouver and Wellington, NZ.

“The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The judges faced a huge challenge because all of the work was so far above the norm. We’re honored to have the opportunity to focus the spotlight on the outstanding work that has contributed to some of the highest grossing films and broadcast projects of all time.”

As previously announced, Stan Lee will be honored with the VES 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award and Douglas Trumbull with the Georges Méliès Award.

By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers

Born out of rejection, Slamdance showcases new and emerging independent artists, filmmakers and storytellers.  We welcome films in every genre, on any topic from every country around the world. The festival program is selected from 100% blind submissions and we do not disqualify any films based on premiere status or date of completion.

This year, we are accepting films in the following categories:

Narrative Feature

Features by first time feature filmmakers* over 40 minutes in length. We consider and program from all genres and from around the world. All the films are selected from blind submissions. We are looking for filmmakers with new ideas, new ways of looking at the world, or an innovative approach to filmmaking. We are more drawn to an original voice than a high level of production. We will consider work that is not completed by the time of submission, and we consider films regardless of their premiere status.

* Films that are submitted by filmmakers that have made a previous feature will be considered for our Special Screenings.

Shorts

Non-documentary short films, under 40 minutes and from anywhere in the world, are programmed in blocks and beside narrative features. We welcome a wide variety of styles and genres: comedy, drama, horror, experimental, animation, non-narrative, music videos, underground and films that fit into multiple categories or no category at all. Please note that documentary shorts are programmed under their own category.

Documentary Feature

Competition feature-length (over 40 minutes) documentaries directed by first-time documentary filmmakers and of exceptional quality are programmed under our 100% blind submission policy. There are no premiere status or date of completion requirements. Non-fiction films under 40 minutes are considered for our short documentary competition. They will be screened before the feature documentary films. We gladly accept any type of documentary subject matter. Mockumentaries should be submitted to the narrative feature and short competitions.

Documentary Short

Competition short (under 40 minutes) documentaries directed by first-time documentary filmmakers and of exceptional quality are programmed under our 100% blind submission policy. There are no premiere status or date of completion requirements. Non-fiction films over 40 minutes are considered for our feature documentary competition. We gladly accept any type of documentary subject matter. Mockumentaries should be submitted to the narrative feature and short competitions. While no one can tell you what length to make your film, shorter films are considered more programmable due to the logistics of running a festival.

Special Screenings

Every year the Festival shows a Special Screening program comprised of several independent feature films by non-first time filmmakers. This Special Screening program is non-competitive and includes at least one underground program and sometimes films made by Slamdance alumni.

Each year the Sundance Film Festival selects 200 films for exhibition from more than 9,000 submissions. More than 50,000 people attend screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah. In addition to discovering filmmaking's newest talent through the Festival's program of documentary, dramatic, and short films, Festivalgoers experience live music performances, panel discussions with leading filmmakers and industry figures, cutting-edge media installations, parties celebrating the Festival community, and more.

Story Artist Freelancers Guide

Saturday January 07, 2012 11am PST

with Sergio PaezCost: $5Length: 60 minutes

 

From marketing to getting jobs, a freelance story artist needs to know how to hustle and how to please a client.  We will chat about different techniques to get the job done and find more work.

 

You won't want to miss this if you are looking to break out of the pack or simply breaking in.

 

Tis the Season to Board On!

Get the Art of Storyboarding Online Classes for the low price of $80! That is $160 off the regular price! Also get the Storyboarding Toolbelt DVD for $20! Packed with over 70 minutes of demostrations and instruction! Or not sure you want all 8 storyboarding online classes? Pick n choose the sessions you want and save 50%!

 

Find out more here

The Feature Animated Film Arrugas (Wrinkles) nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2012 ANNIE Awards will be screened at the LAEMMLE FALBROOK 7 from Dec 9th to Dec 15th at 1.20PM daily.

6731 Fallbrook Ave West Hills, CA

 

Based on Paco Roca´s comic of the same title (2008 National Comic Prize), WRINKLES is a 2D animated feature-length film for an adult audience. Wrinkles portrays the friendship between Emilio and Miguel, two aged gentlemen shut away in a care home. Recent arrival Emilio, in the early stages of Alzheimer, is helped by Miguel and colleagues to avoid ending up on the feared top floor of the care home, also known as the lost causes or “assisted” floor. Their wild plan infuses their otherwise tedious day-to-day with humour and tenderness, because although for some their lives is coming to an end, for them it is just beginning.

 

When: Saturday December 03, 2011 11am PST

with Sergio PaezCost: $5Length: 60 minutes

 

We will cover some of the digital tools and shortcuts available to story artists today.  Even with an inexpensive digital setup a savvy artist can create professional boards.

 

This is a great workshop to come and network with other people who are passionate about visual storytelling!

Visit www.iafistanbul.com for more information.

In short, the Animaze Festival is a tribute to everything animated. From shorts to full length features to Saturday morning cartoons to syndicated prime-time shows.

Being a fan of all animated shows for as long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of creating a whole world from scratch. Animation is free from all limits live action films/tv programs have to overcome such as settings, props, special effects, even the talent/abilities of the actors. Anything goes and the only limit is the writer’s imagination.

The idea for the festival came after I had watched the film Free Jimmy and was blown away. I couldn’t stop thinking to myself “How is this film not an international success? Or a cult classic? How is this movie not well known even in animation circles?”. That’s when it occurred to me that the only animated films released in North America are family films. Internationally, animation is used by all genres like serious dramas, adult comedy and even horror. There’s a whole world of animation out there which will never make it to us so I made it my mission to bring them to an audience that have no access to these masterpieces.

-Michael Dahan, Founder of Animaze Festival

Animaze Animation Film Festival is proud to present the schedule of its first edition to be held at Cinema du Parc (3575 Ave du Parc) and Concordia University's Hall Building Auditorium (1455 Ave de Maisonneuve  W) from November 18 to November 20, 2011.

For its inaugural year, Animaze will celebrate the wonderful world of animation through a wide range of activities :

International Film Competition Several highly-acclaimed features will be screened in North America for the first time, such as Jeż Jerzy ( an off-beat satire from Poland) and Viva the Nam ( an eclectic stop-motion made with GI JOE dolls). Two prizes will be awarded in this competition; one for “Best in Show” as determined by a panel of judges and one for “Audience Favourite” as voted by the public.30th Anniversary Screening of Heavy Metal with director Gerald Potterton The cult classic gets the special anniversary treatment. Legendary director Gerald Potterton will be attending the screening and will address his legion of fans before the show.Saturday Morning Cartoon Extravaganza for Sun Youth Montreal In honour of that lost time where children had to wait a full week till they got their cartoon hit, we are recreating CBS’s 1986 Saturday Morning lineup with all proceeds going to charity. For this event, we will feature the Berenstein Bears, Muppet Babies, Galaxy High and the unforgettable Pee Wee’s Playhouse.Student Animated Shorts Contest It's institution vs. institution in this animated short film contest exclusively for undergraduates of local film schools.“Freleng: Frame by Frame”  charity screening for Sun Youth Montreal with presentation by director Greg Ford An elusive documentary about  Warner Bros legendary director Friz Freleng.  Director Greg Ford will be present  to share his memories of working at Warner Brothers with the godfathers of modern animation ( Friz Freleng, Chuck Jones, Virgil Ross, and Bob Clampett).

+ many more activities

3D, Eric Roberts,  Joan Osborne & Tom Shadyac Join this year's 2nd annual New Media Film Festival’s San Francisco festival lineup!

 

The Best in New Media… Honoring Stories worth Telling.

 

San Francisco CA-- Sat. Nov. 5, 2011

 

This year’s program at the New Media Film Festival stars actor Eric Roberts in “Vegan 101” and band Linkin Park in their lunar odyssey music video “Iridescent.” There will be World Premieres for Joan Osborne’s “love and hate," “Sesko” by Carlos Florez, and short film “Hollywood Tales” by Ethan Black. We also have the 2011 Emmy nominated PSA “the power of you” for Big sisters of RI, and award winning short films “Three fifty” and “The strange tale of Billy Barker.”

 

We are also proud to be screening the existential documentary “I AM” from filmmaker Tom Shadyac, the creative force behind such blockbusters as “Ace Ventura," “Bruce Almighty," “Nutty Professor," and “Liar Liar” as he explores two central questions:

 

What’s Wrong With the World? and What Can We Do About it?