OIAF is a huge event, with lots of activities in numerous venues. As the festival came to a close on Sunday night, it was a pleasure to be able to sink down into the seats of the ByTowne Theatre and watch the Best of the Fest – the award-winning animation shorts.
Only at OIAF can you get a chance to talk about the crazy Balloon Boy escapade with veteran Simpsons director David Silverman, and get to compare that incident with a Simpsons episode where prankster Bart pretends to be little Timmy, a boy who has fallen down a well. Happily, like Bart/Timmy, Balloon Boy was safe and sound the whole time.
It’s a good life when your job involves watching cartoons.
OIAF 2009 got off to a brisk start in equally brisk Ottawa weather of just 5°C or 41°F.
Janet Hetherington chats with MJ Chun about how The Sims 3 offers more customization, more animated emotion and more virtual drama in this never-ending life-simulation game.
Janet Hetherington chats with director Lauren Montgomery and producer Bruce Timm about their fresh take on Wonder Woman in the new animated movie treatment of the classic DC Comics heroine.
Janet Hetherington chats with Aaron Sims about his latest work on The Day the Earth Stood Still, Clash of the Titans and Green Lantern.
Janet Hetherington chats with mobile gaming experts on the exploding popularity of games on the go.
Janet Hetherington digs up some secrets from creator Jay Stephens about The Secret Saturdays, the new comedy-action animated series airing on Cartoon Network.
Janet Hetherington and Bill Desowitz report on the digital action at Montreal's conference for digital arts, ADAPT 2008.
Janet Hetherington and Jon Hofferman report on the animated workshops, panels and screenings at the 2008 Ottawa International Animation Festival and the Television Animation Conference.
Janet Hetherington chats with producer Max Howard about Igor, the new animated feature whose protagonist is as independent as the company that made him.
With Will Wright's hotly anticipated video game now in stores, Janet Hetherington chats with the creators about how Spore was cultivated.
Janet Hetherington and Dan Bennett join some 140,000 attendees (give or take) to experience the incredible number of animation, video game and vfx-themed panels offered at Comic-Con 2008.
Janet Hetherington looks at how Animalia brings CG talking animals -- ones that teach children language arts and the power of words -- to TV screens around the world.
Janet Hetherington grabs for some popcorn -- and a joystick -- to discover how videogames are enhancing the summer movie experience.
Janet Hetherington reports on juicy animation and vfx tidbits from New York Comic Con -- including X-Files 2, Hellboy 2, The Incredible Hulk, Wall•E, Prince Caspian and more.
Janet Hetherington chats up three short films that make noteworthy use of VFX, including animated papers, a dancing column and a water man.
Janet Hetherington talks to the creators of the newest animated incarnation of Spider-Man and discovers that ol' webhead still suffers from teen angst.
Janet Hetherington takes a look at how video games can make you more fit -- and not just your thumbs.
