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

Animated Dreams, the oldest and biggest Estonian animation film festival, offers Estonian animators a chance to display the state of their art as well as promotes high-quality international animation culture. From its beginnings as an offshoot of Black Nights Film Festival back in 1999, the event has evolved into a small independent festival. The festival consists of the short animation competitive programme and several special programmes. Traditions include lectures by foreign guests, meetings and workshops.

The short film competition is open to films of any genre and animation technique.

Eligible films must be:

a) short and medium-length (-45 min) animated films;
b) premiered after 1 January, 2010;
c) screened in 35 mm, HDCAM, DigiBeta, or Blu-ray;
d) with English subtitles, if not in English.

Deadline for application is August 15, 2011.
By this date online entry form must be completed (http://vp.eventival.eu/poff/15/films) filmography of director, stills of the film, synopsis of the film) on CD and a preview copy (DVD) with English subtitles should be sent to our office.

The competition selection will be announced to the applicants by October 1, 2011.

ANIMACAMPUS TALLINN 2011

November 15-19, 2011 / Tallinn, Estonia

CALL FOR TALENTS

Deadline for application: September 5, 2011.

 

AnimaCampus Tallinn is a brand new networking platform and training event for up-and-coming young filmmakers working in the field of animation. The five-day creative summit takes place in parallel with the Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams, the sub-festival of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. 

In the frame of several lectures, presentations, discussions, screenings and workshops international animation experts share their experience in making cinéma d'auteur animation films as well as commercial productions. A mix of animation art and industry. A mix of traditional animation techniques and new media technologies. AnimaCampus Tallinn provides young professionals from East and West the opportunity to learn from top animation experts and build international networks in  inspiring European Capital of Culture atmosphere.

PROGRAMME

The programme of AnimaCampus Tallinn consists of the following activities:

Inspiration talks:

• Lectures, presentations and panel discussions to address the breaking issues in the animation history and today. * Open to all participants, guests and public.

 

Hands-on trainings:

• Practical workshops, case studies and meeting-the-expert sessions in different fields of work promoting direct interaction between young and experienced professionals. * Open to participants and guests.

Mentoring and guidance:

• Specialized master classes. * Open only to participants.

• Individual project consultations. * Open only to participants.

 

Networking and entertainment:

• Film screenings at the Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams. 

• Excursions to Estonian animation studios and Museum of Puppets.

• Match-making sessions.

• Social events and concerts in the evenings.

REGIONS IN FOCUS

In 2011 AnimaCampus Tallinn is setting its focus on the following regions: Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland), Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan) and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). Emerging animation filmmakers from the above mentioned countries are eligible to apply through the open call for entries. However, motivated applicants from the other European countries wishing to explore the animation scene in those regions are also encouraged to send their application.

4:00 PM                

FREE

An eclectic collection of entertaining new animation films, ranging from the whimsical to the experimental.

About eDIT 14 Filmmaker’s Festival

As a filmmakers’ platform the eDIT Filmmaker's Festival promotes the exchange of information about innovations and the tips and tricks of filmmaking.

International filmmakers use their most recent productions to discuss filmmaking in the digital era.

The festival programme consists of workshops, presentations, screenings and fringe events. Central themes are camerawork, animation, visual effects, editing and production.

The social highlight of the event is the opening gala, during which outstanding filmmakers are presented with Festival Honors.

The event for up-coming talent, eDIT: eDucation, provides information on work and careers in the film and media industry.

eDward – The Young Filmmaker’s Award is directed at filmmakers under the age of 30.

Best of Film Festival presents a selection of award-winning films from international festivals.

The Festival Party offers excellent entertainment and opportunities for networking.

The website filmmakersfestival.de provides a thematic platform for exchanging ideas on filmmaking in the digital era. The online magazine presents interviews and contributions that go beyond the scope of the festival.

Program

The heart of the Filmmaker’s Festival as an international platform for filmmaking in the digital era is the programme itself: international experts present outstanding productions and the latest developments in film production.

Screenings, detailed making-ofs, presentations, workshops and discussion panels deliver knowledge transfer of the highest quality.

Central themes are camerawork, animation, visual effects and editing and production for various media.

30 October – 1 November 2011

12:30 PM

FREE

A fun-filled selection of NFB films, featuring some of the NFB's newest animation for kids of all ages.

NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St.

8:30 PM                

FREE

An eclectic collection of entertaining new animation films, ranging from the whimsical to the experimental.

7:00 PM

FREE

A collection of new TAIS animated film favourites. 

8:00 PM

FREE

An eclectic collection of entertaining new animation films, ranging from the whimsical to the experimental.

6:30 PM                

FREE

A collection of new TAIS animated film favourites.