Three-day festival features screenings, panel discussions, presentations and top talent from Pixar Animation Studios, Google Creative Lab, and DreamWorks Animation.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has announced SCADFILM’s third annual SCAD AnimationFest is set for September 26-28. The festival, which brings together innovative talent and experts from the animation industry, will be held at the university’s SCADshow theatre in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. This year, the event is offering a “screenings-only” pass providing access to all special screenings throughout the festival including global shorts and student work.
On Thursday, September 26th, the festival will present a distinguished award to actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter Lucas Grabeel honoring his prolific career voicing animated characters for series including Spirit Riding Free, The Family Guy and Pinky Malinky. Two episodes of the Netflix original series Pinky Malinky will screen immediately following.
There will be a special preview showing of the highly anticipated DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio co-production Abominable (in theaters Sept. 27) starring Chloe Bennet, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Albert Tsai, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson, Tsai Chin and Michelle Wong. The animated feature, written and directed by Jill Culton, takes audiences on an epic 2,000-mile adventure from the streets of a Chinese city to the breathtaking Himalayan snowscapes.
Participating guests from FoxTV, Adult Swim, Dreamscape Immersive, Bunnygraph Studios and many other companies will be highlighted throughout the festival.
“From special screenings to in-depth panels with industry professionals, this year's SCAD AnimationFest programming is sure to delight fans of this celebrated medium,” commented SCAD president and founder, Paula Wallace. “And AnimationFest is much more than a good time. Top companies such as Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks visit SCAD in search of top talent. Think of this as a three-day job interview - with movies and popcorn.”
The festival will feature presentations, discussions and screenings on many facets of the animation industry, including:
- Storytelling Thru Advanced Content: Exploring Transmedia
- Behind the Scenes: Toy Story 4
- Springfield Confidential: Secrets of The Simpsons
- Cinematic VR: The beauty of animated storytelling in a virtual environment
- Virtual Theme Parks
Guests scheduled to appear at the 2019 AnimationFest include:
- John Heinsen, producer; Bunnygraph Entertainment
- Jennifer Cook, head of production; Dreamscape Immersive
- Mark McCray, senior director of programming; Adult Swim
- JR Schmidt, motion lead; Google Creative Lab
- Mike Reiss, writer/producer; The Simpsons
- Laura Green Berry, producer; Primal Screen
- Jeremy Seymour, creative director, Primal Screen
- Shannon Ryan, development producer; Baobab Studios
- Ken Fountain, animator; Baobab Studios
- Jay Li, animator/project manager; Secret Sauce Studio (MA Advertising Design, 2009)
- Jules Premus, character designer; Floyd County Productions (MA Sequential Art, 2018)
- Becki Tower, directing animator; Pixar Animation Studios (MFA Animation, 2008)
- Jalysa Leva, lead animator; Primal Screen (BFA Animation, 2015)
Animation is the largest of SCAD’s degree programs and is considered a top program for preparation of a growing field that encompasses film, television, interactive media and video games.
With the only university-run casting office in the country, SCAD helps drive the multibillion-dollar film and television industry in Georgia. Of the nearly 15,000 SCAD alumni from entertainment and digital media disciplines, more than 3,000 work in the Georgia film industry. SCAD students, alumni and faculty have won Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Reels, Tonys, and Annies.
More information is available on the festival website.
Source: SCAD
