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Nicktoons' Film Festival Bows

Nicktoons, Nickelodeon's digital channel for animation, Frederator Studios and ANIMATION MAGAZINE launched the first half-hour of the 14-week Nicktoons Film Festival on Oct. 24, 2004, at 10:00 pm (ET)/7:00 pm (PT). The on-air festival showcases the diversity of independent cartoon filmmaking by animators from around the globe. A total of 14 half-hour specials will air every Sunday from Oct. 24 to Jan. 23, with repeat airings Mondays at 10:00 pm (ET)/7:00 pm (PT).

"There's so much talent in the world of animation, and we're excited to air the work of these artists on Nicktoons," said Keith Dawkins, vp/gm, Nicktoons. "We had an overwhelming response from the call for entries for our Nicktoons Film Festival and we're looking forward to serving up even more original animation to our audience."

"The vision and reach of Nicktoons made them the perfect partner for Frederator Studios and ANIMATION MAGAZINE in our global search for the greatest new cartoon talent," said Fred Seibert, president of Frederator Studios.

"Everyone at ANIMATION MAGAZINE feels honored to work on such a groundbreaking project with such great partners," said Rita Street, publisher of ANIMATION MAGAZINE. "Best of all, our global call for entries brought in diverse content that is stunningly fun to watch."

The following shorts made up the first of The Nicktoons Film Festival specials airing on Nicktoons:* CHARLIE & CHUNK by Eric Fogel (creator of MTV's THE HEAD and CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH), Rockville Centre, New York* TIMMY'S LESSONS IN NATURE by Mark Simon (A & S Animation), Orlando, Florida* IT COULD BE WORSE by Zach Horn, New York, New York* CHILDHOOD TRAUMA #17 by Michiel de Kraker, London, England* LUCKY PENNY by David Gerhard, Northridge, California* THE MANLY BEE: RETURN OF THE MANLY BEE by Steve Daye (Nelvana Limited), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Animators were asked to submit animated shorts no longer than seven minutes that combined a unique look, great character designs and a funny plot. One winner will be chosen by a grand jury and awarded a $10,000 prize. Ten finalists' and the grand prize-winner's film will air on Jan. 24, 2005.

Seibert, is exec producer of the festival; Street and Eric Homan, vp of creative affairs for Frederator Studios are the festival producers and Christina Vann of Nicktoons is executive in charge of production. The panel of Grand Jurors for the Nicktoons Film Festival includes: John Kricfalusi, creator of REN & STIMPY; Gabor Csupo, founder and co-chairperson, Klasky Csupo; and Eric Goldberg, animation director for Warner Bros.' LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION.

Frederator makes cartoons for television and the movies. Since its 1998 founding by former Hanna-Barbera Cartoons president Fred Seibert, Frederator Studios has become one of the industry's largest and most prolific independent cartoon studios.

ANIMATION MAGAZINE (www.animationmagazine.net/) is a trade publication devoted to the coverage of the business, technology and art of animation.

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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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