The next International Student Animation Festival of Ottawa (SAFO) will be held October 18-21, 2001. Now in its third edition, the Ottawa International Student Animation Festival provides a dynamic showcase of the most fresh and innovative animation from around the world. The official competition is divided into five categories: High School Student Films; Undergraduate Student Films (Post-Secondary); Graduate Student Films (Post-Secondary); First Film (e.g. Professional/Independent/Co-op Produced Films); and Children's Animation (Under 12 Years Of Age). Once again, six international animation schools will compete for Ottawa's Best School Award. Both competitions will be judged by an International Jury comprised of: Phil Mulloy, animator (UK), Koji Yamamura, animator (Japan), Richard Meltzer, writer and critic (USA), and Annick Teninge, Animation World Network (USA). This year's special screenings include tributes to Phil Mulloy, Koji Yamamura, Bolex Brothers and Olive Jar Animation. Other programs include: Sailing To Sicily, a look at interpretations of hell; a gay and lesbian animation panorama; and finally, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Ottawa International Animation Festival, SAFO will take a look back at some of the highlights of past festivals. There will also be hands-on workshops, panels and lectures scheduled to help prepare newcomers for the jump into the professional animation industry. The "Animarket" trade fair will provide participants with an excellent recruitment and promotional vehicle, as well as industry exposure. New this year: International Student Panoramas, with four panorama programs highlighting the wide array of animation being produced by an assortment of schools; and a Teachers' Symposium, a one-day event examining the state of animation education. The submission deadline is July 1, 2001. For entry forms (including an on-line version which can be sent directly by e-mail) and festival information, visit
the 2001 SAFO Website .
