Toronto Animation Fest Unveils 2012 Lineup

Press release from TAAFI:

Toronto, ON – Tickets for the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) [1], celebrating the best of animation arts from around the world, go on sale June 1, 2012. Widely supported by the Toronto animation industry, the three-day festival features screenings of shorts and full-length features [2], plus intimate and exclusive workshops and master classes. The exciting new festival that showcases the local and international animation industry comes to the TIFF Bell Lightbox, July 6-8, 2012.

For complete programming information, go to: http://taafi.com/events/taafi2012/schedule/ [3]

Festival highlights include talks and lessons from trailblazing cartoonist John Kricfalusi, creator of The Ren and Stimpy Show, on July 7, at 9:00 a.m. Festival goers will also get the exciting opportunity to sit in on a live cartoon script read featuring Sean Cullen.

Other highlights include a showcase and presentation from the world’s largest online archive of animation and visual effects, Stash Magazine, a special screening and workshop for kids at the National Film Board of Canada’s Mediatheque, plus over a 100 local and international short films.

TAAFI offers a collection of some of the finest work in animation, for audiences of all ages. With over 50 successful studios, 10 schools of animation arts and a passionate community of enthusiasts, independent artists and professionals, Toronto is the picture-perfect location to play host to what is sure to become one of North America’s leading animation festivals.

TICKET DETAILS: All advance tickets are available for purchase by phone or online through the TAAFI website starting June 1st: taafi.com [1]

Festival Pass: $99
Includes Admission to all gala and regular screenings and The Nelvana Bouncing Ball TAAFI Party at Corus Quay

Screenings: $15 (Kids screening prices are $5 for children ages 3-13; free for children under 3)

Workshops: Range from $15-90

Pitch-a-Palooza: $90
Includes admission to Pitch Lab and Monkeyworks

The Nelvana Bouncing Ball TAAFI Party at Corus Quay: $15 in advance/$20 at the door

Gala Screenings: $20

Other TAAFI highlights include:

Animated Shorts:
Shorts 1 – Straight Up Toons – Top notch animation and classic cartoons

Shorts 2 – The Reflecting Pool – Artistic masterpieces set to an introspective frequency

Shorts 3 – Stylin’ – Innovative ideas and original techniques

Shorts 4 – Good N’ Weirdy – Pure, chaotic enjoyment

Student Shorts – S’cool – A collection of Canadian and international student works

Feature Films:
North American Premier of Ronal the Barbarian in 3D (Denmark, 2011) – Produced by Einstein Film

Retrospectives:
 Rosto: So Far, So Evil – A program compiling the best of Dutch artist and filmmaker Rosto’s work

Kaj Pindal: A collection of his most popular films, including “I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” followed by a Q&A with the living legend