US Animation Students Lead The Pack At SAFO International Festival
The 3rd edition of the Ottawa International Student Animation Festival (SAFO) (October 18 - 21, 2001) will feature entries from all over the world competing in six categories. This year, students from the United States lead the pack with twelve films making it into the competition. Animation school Cal Arts receives a special honor as a nominee in the best school category. "With over 800 entries from 39 countries, it had been a difficult task for the selection committee," says Festival founder Chris Robinson. "The number of entries has increased dramatically this year; we have selected some 64 student and first films for competition and another 54 films which will be shown out-of-competition in the Panorama screenings. Five schools have been chosen to compete in the Best School competition." Full lists are now available on the festival's Website. Running every two years, SAFO alternates with the larger Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), one of the most respected and well-attended animation festivals in the world. For anyone considering a career in animation or studying animation, SAFO is a must. In addition to the official competition, SAFO 01 will feature a variety of screenings that highlight an individual, studio or country that has made a significant aesthetic and/or technical contribution to the animation community. There will be numerous hands-on workshops, panels, lectures and consultation sessions scheduled to help prepare newcomers for the jump into the professional animation industry. A mini trade-show features animation schools and companies looking to recruit new talent. For animation fans, the festival offers a unique chance to see some fantastic and diverse animated films in addition to meeting world famous and award-winning animators. For families, there is a Saturday children's program and a children's animation workshop where youngsters actually get to make their own film. Full program details are available on the festival Website.