The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) announced its worldwide call for entries for the 2007 Festival taking place Sept. 19-23, 2007, in Canadas capital.
"It's that time again, says Chris Robinson, the festivals artistic director. This year we're putting some emphasis on reaching out to the gaming, mobile, wireless and interactive world. With more and more animation being made for non-traditional distribution platforms, it's important that the OIAF celebrate the work being done in these new forms, so we've expanded our New Media Competition to include mobile content and interactive educational and gaming animation as well as shorts made for the internet.
Animators are invited to submit their recent work in six major categories including Independent Short films, Feature films, New Media, Commissioned films, Student films and Films made for children.
The tools might change, adds Robinson, but at the end of the day, the OIAF is about celebrating all forms of animation and, most importantly, bringing people together." For 5 days every September the OIAF welcomes thousands of animation fans and artists for a non-stop showcase of cutting edge animation, workshops, trade events and parties.
The OIAF 07 entry deadline is June 1, 2007 and preview DVDs must be received by June 15. Entry forms are available on the Festivals website at www.animationfestival.ca.
In addition to the Official Competitions, OIAF 07 will present a wealth of special screenings and retrospectives. This years highlight is The Genius of UPA, a spectacular four-part tribute to one of the most innovative and influential animation studios in history. Featuring GERALD MCBOING-BOING, MR. MAGOO and many other classic cartoons, this will be the most complete UPA retrospective ever assembled.
Other special screenings will be devoted to British animator Joanna Quinn (DREAMS AND DESIRES FAMILY TIES); Canadas Oscar-nominated Janet Perlman; Poetry in Motion, featuring animation inspired by classic poetry; Saul Steinberg and Animation, a showcase of films influenced by the famed New Yorker cartoonist; and a memorial tribute to Canadian/American animator Helen Hill.
Canadas only animation business event, the 4th Annual Television Animation Conference, returns to Ottawas prestigious Chateau Laurier Hotel on Sept. 19-20. Featuring in-depth panels, Fast Track meetings and the popular Pitch This! session, the Conference has become an invaluable networking venue for animation producers and executives.
Other events at this years Festival include the Technology Forum, Animators for Hire, Career Day for students and the ever-popular Animators Picnic. More programming details will be announced in the coming months.
For further information, visit www.animationfestival.ca.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
