Oscar-qualifying festival Cinanima (November 9-15; Epinho, Portugal) has issued its call for entries, seeking animated films created after Jan. 1, 2019 for its International Competition (Short Film, School Films/Graduation Films, Feature Films) and National Competition (Antonio Gaio Award for Best Film, Best Young Portuguese Director Award). Besides the traditional film programs, masterclasses, workshops and retrospectives, the 44th edition will offer special thematic nights for general audiences, as well as creative and challenging selections for children and youngsters during the day. More information and online submission form here — deadline July 10, 2020.
Festival Stop Motion Montreal (September 14-20; Montreal, QC, Canada) is seeking submissions for its 12th edition: Projects running 30 minutes or less produced after Jan. 1, 2018 using puppet animation, object animation and/or pixillation are accepted, and there is no fee to enter. Selected films will be considered for the prize categories Best Professional Film, Best Independent Film, Best Emerging Talent Film, Best Youth Film, Audience Award, and NAD Special Award (given to a Canadian filmmaker). The event will also feature professional development workshops for stop-motion artists. Rules, regulations and submission forms here — deadline is June 30, 2020.
The biennial Hiroshima international animation festival (August 20-24; Hiroshima, Japan) has joined the ranks of events forced to adjust their 2020 plans in the wake of coronavirus. Festival Director Sayoko Kinoshita shared in an email update that the organizers have opted not to hold a physical event for the 18th edition. However, film selection will begin May 1 and the competition selections will be revealed at the end of the month. International Jury members will be announced in early July, and award winners will be announced at the end of August. Learn more at the Love & Peace fest’s website.
Cartoon Forum (September 14-17; Toulouse, France) is calling for animated TV projects with an extended deadline of May 11, 2020. Organizers have overcome some technical difficulties with the online submission platform, so those with TV Series and Specials seeking co-production partners and industry connections should hop to it! Submit your project here.
Ottawa International Animation Festival (September 23-27; Ottawa, ON, Canada) has revealed the official 2020 poster, created by animator, director, writer, voice-actor and musician Christy Karacas (creator of Superjail! and Ballmastrz: 9009 for Adult Swim). OIAF organizers wish to remind filmmakers that submissions are open until May 29, 2020. If you need an animation fix to hold you over until the next fest, last year’s Grand Prize winner Don’t Know What has debuted on Vimeo as a Staff Pick.
Karacas commented on the poster reveal:
“The Ottawa International Animation Festival will always have a special place in my heart. I was first introduced to the festival in 1996 by Amy Kravitz and Steven Subotnick when they took our RISD senior class to the festival.
That year and every year that I have attended, I make amazing new friends, witness some of the best animation the world has to offer, and participate in some fantastic debauchery. I try to come every year I can and every time I do I am reminded why I love animation and the people who love it, watch it, and create it.
My inspiration for the poster was festival-goers trying to get a front row seat for one of the best animation festivals in the world. Please don’t follow their bad behavior.”
Animafest Zagreb — originally scheduled for June in Croatia but still developing as it awaits new dates — has revealed this year’s visual identity, illustrated by Yoriko Mizushiri and designed by kuna zlatica design studio. Mizushiri is one of Japan’s most distinctive younger artists and a world-renowned animator, who has managed. Her films, like Futon (2012), Kamakura (2013) and Veil (2014), are dreamlike and sensual pastel studies of the senses – partly figurative and partly geometrical reminiscences of impressions and touches from small daily pleasures and pains. She has won and been nominated for awards from prestigious festivals including Animafest, Annecy and Berlinale.
Animafest Zagreb 2020 Official Festival Trailer from Animafest Zagreb on Vimeo.
The next evolution of Stuttgart’s famous animation confab, OnlineFestival.ITFS.de (May 5-10, streaming) has revealed details of its lineup of Workshops & Master Classes (noon), Kids Stream (2-5 p.m.), Talks & Shorts (6-8 p.m.), Focus On (8 p.m.), Night Talk (10 p.m.) and Night Stream (11 p.m.) programs. (Note: Programs are in German or English, see program for details.)
- Master Classes/Workshops: Nicolas Blies & Stéphane Hueber-Blies on Zero Impunity (Wed., May 6). Denis Walgenwitz (Animation Sans Frontières): artistic expectations versus production possibilities – challenges for animation projects (Thurs., May 7). Pedro Rivero (Psychonauts: The Forgotten Children): Writing for animated and live action films (Fri., May 8). John Lee & Lisa Ott (NFTS): Model making on film (Sat., May 9). Tina Brenneisen “Sabotage” narrative disruption workshop (Sun., May 10).
- Kids Stream: The family program will offer shorts and series such as Nils Holgersson (Studio 100) as well as workshops, webinars and interviews.
- Talks & Shorts: Films for adults accompanied by talks with local players and international names of note, such as Dustin Grella of Queens College (May 9), Uncle Thomas director Regina Pessoa (May 9) and Rocks in My Pockets director Signe Baumane (May 10); and lectures/presentations from artists like Who Framed Roger Rabbit producer Max Howard (May 6) and indie star Bill Plympton (May 8). Plus, the World Premiere of Botschaften and interview with director Daniel Höpfner (May 6)
- Focus On: Theme nights include the Oscars (May 6), French animation (May 7), games & eSports (May 8), music & animation (May 9) and the ITFS Awards ceremony (May 10).
- Night Talk: Representative from the cultural scene will join ITFS organizers to look behind the scenes. There will also be small cinematic gems from partners like ARTE, and a late night film program.
- Night Stream: Cap off each day of the fest with concerts, the ITFS trailer show, the best of the 48H Animation Jam of the last 15 years, and more.
