Scheduled for September 23 – October 4, the event will feature screenings, virtual artist talks, workshops, and meetings with schools and recruiters.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) has announced its 44th edition is moving online. The extended virtual event will run from September 23 to October 4, 2020. The organizing team is currently researching the best platform to securely showcase the films for an international audience while also incorporating a social component.
The event will feature screenings, artist talks, workshops, and virtual meetings with schools and recruiters. InGenius Jr for families will return as well as the NightOwl party. Activities will be extended past the event’s usual 5-day run to offer more flexibility to attendees.
“At first we wanted to mimic the live event as much as possible, but then the team started to think of ways we could take the things people love about the OIAF and make it more suited to an at-home experience,” commented managing director, Kelly Neall. “It’s a chance to get creative and try some new things.”
While having a limited number of in-theatre events is not completely off the table, holding a traditional event would be impossible. 80% of attendees are from out of town, including large groups of U.S. animation students. Organizers felt that hosting a traditional event would be much too risky on many levels.
The Animation Conference (TAC), OIAF’s animation industry business conference, will move online as well. “This is a great opportunity to meet with even more potential partners than the live event, since travel has been taken out of the equation,” remarked TAC director Azarin Sohrabkhani, who is working to involve decision-makers from around the world.
More information about Online OIAF will be rolling out over the summer including pass and ticket prices, along with programming details.
Source: Ottawa International Animation Festival
