About Quickdraw Animation Society
Quickdraw Animation Society (QAS) was incorporated as a non-profit society in 1984. QAS’s mandate is to support and encourage the production of innovative independent animation and to develop the appreciation of all types of animation as a viable artistic medium. The principles engaged in at QAS are: inclusion, co-operation, active participation by youth, and positive support and encouragement among the members. QAS focuses on offering a variety of services, on an ongoing basis, to the membership and the public:
- inexpensive access to production facilities, equipment, and technical assistance.
- introductory and advanced courses for adults and youth, workshop series, and seminars.
- resource library of over 1000 animated films on video and laser disc, over 200 books and periodicals on animation and related topics.
- current information on animation schools, film festivals, production grants, employment
- quarterly newsletter and programming information, mailed to the membership and the film and animation community internationally.
- QAS has a proud history of creating our own animators, evolving from absolute beginners to award winning filmmakers. QAS members works have been highlighted at many international film festivals including Cannes, Hiroshima Animation Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival. Works produced at Quickdraw have won awards ranging from the AMPIA awards to the Silver Hugo.
Through the QAS educational program over 800 hours of animation classes are given each year to adults and youth. We offer professional development opportunities through an excellent series of adult classes and are host of the Alberta College of Art and Design Animation Elective course. QAS has an established history of focusing on youth animation education and production through the Quick Kids Summer Animation Camps, as well as our regular Saturday classes in the fall and winter. We’ve watched some of our Quick Kids grow up at QAS, and many of them have continued with their dreams of becoming animation professionals.
Each year QAS offers 2 scholarships to first time animators to assist them over the initial hurdles toward making an independent animated film. The competition is open to members and non-members. All applications are reviewed by a jury of QAS Members. The QAS Scholarship program is now in its 10th year.
Programming initiatives include our Master Animators Workshop Series, annual Cameraless Extravaganza Week, Bi-monthly Free Film nights held in the QAS/EM screening room, as well as special events and exhibitions for the public.