Press release from the Los Angeles Animation Festival:

LOS ANGELES, CA – The beloved Los Angeles Animation Festival (LAAF) returns for its 3rd annual event with new screenings of animated feature films & shorts from around the world, exclusive panels, and parties celebrating the animation community. The Festival will run from Wednesday, March 7th through Sunday, March 11th at the historic Regent Showcase in Hollywood.  LAAF announced they have enlisted longtime LAAF supporter, Sean Lennon, as Artistic Director and will honor Bill Plympton at this year’s festival.

This year’s Artistic Director, Sean Lennon, has been a supporter of LAAF from its inception. Lennon is an admirer and connoisseur of great animation, even working as an animator on his music video Would I Be The One, inspired by Fantastic Planet which was screened at the first LAAF for Lennon, as it’s a film that resonates through much of his art and music. This year, LAAF will screen the film again, with an entirely live score featuring six musicians and five actors on stage.  Lennon has also hand selected several films this year which have not been screened in quite some time. Lennon will personally introduce these unique films which have impacted him and his career.

Events honoring Bill Plympton will include the West Coast premiere of Adventures in Plymptoons, a documentary on Plympton’s career by Alexia Anastasio, and a special screening of Plympton’s first animated feature film, The Tune, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Additional events include a cast and crew screening of The Iron Giant; a revival of Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s Team America: World Police; a screening of Shrek honoring its 10th Anniversary and it’s win of the first Oscar® for Animated Feature; a behind the scenes look at the making of web sensation Dick Figures which currently has 85 million views and counting; and MTV’s Liquid Television-sponsored event featuring classic and new material from this iconic brand.

“Beyond celebrating the world of animation, LAAF provides up and coming animators the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and showcase their work,” said John Andrews, LAAF Founder & Co-Director. “This year we’re excited to honor one of the greats of animation, Bill Plympton, whose work and independent career have inspired so many of us in the field of animation.”

“We’re so proud LAAF is celebrating its 3rd year and has developed into the biggest international Animation Festival in California,” said Miles Flanagan, LAAF Founder & Co-Director. “This has been a labor of love for us, and we’re so thrilled to have such an amazing line-up at the festival, and the vision of this year’s Artistic Director, Sean Lennon.”

FESTIVAL COMPETITION

MTV’s Liquid Television is sponsoring a competition offering a $5,000 development deal. This year’s complete contest categories include Best Short (20 minutes or less), Best Feature, Best TV episode (11-30 minutes), Best Animated Music Video and the special category, Best “Animation on the Edge”. This category is sponsored by MTV's Liquid Television and looks to recognize an animator’s work that is on the cutting edge of humor, story-telling or technique aimed at a teen or adult audience. Selected entries will play before each of the festival programs. All category winners will receive Toonboom software packages. Details on entering can be found at www.laafest.com. All entries must be postmarked by February 14, 2012.

NOTABLE PROGRAMMING & LINE-UP

Wednesday March 7
Opening Night Party: Hosted by Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob SquarePants) featuring celebrities on stage, and live band Nylon Pink.
Teaser reels of LAAF and cartoon contributions from Jerry Beck.

Thursday March 8
Akira: presented by Sean Lennon.

Friday March 9
The Iron Giant: Special Charity Screening with cast and crew.
MTV and Titmouse present Liquid Television past and present.