The International Animation Festival, based at
Cinema City in Norwich, promises to be the biggest and best yet
with a programme that spans the birth of
the art form to the latest techniques and styles.
As the international competition showcases the
best new animation from around the world, the regional strand highlights
the creative talent to be found in the Eastern counties.
But is Norwich ready for a festival of works with
such international acclaim? 大象传媒i's Martin Barber spoke to festival
director Rose Hanna.
What can we expect from this year's programme?
Our festival covers more than half a century of
animation. From the dawn of the art form to the latest techniques
and styles. So, as well as being entertained, by default you see
the amazing range of different kinds of animation there are and
how the art of it has developed over time.
Bookashkis by Mikhail Aldashin |
This is particularly valuable to people studying
or working in moving image, but at the same time, if you walked
in knowing nothing about it you would still come away having been
thoroughly entertained.
Why hold the festival?
Animation is a fantastic art form which deserves
to be celebrated!
Day to day, we only really have access to mainstream
films which can be quite formulaic and predictable. The mainstream
is also dominated by children's animated films. As an animation
lover I enjoy them immensely but I also want to see the wealth of
other animated films out there.
Festivals provide an opportunity to see all these
gems and meet the people who made them.
On top of this, the festival also brings together
filmmakers from all over the world to Norwich. It brings industry
people looking for new talent into contact with recent graduates.
It's also a great opportunity for those interested or working in
the field to discuss issues, get advice and network.
The festival is about creating an international
platform for all the exciting things going on here.
Wrong Turn by Campbell McAllister (detail)
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There is a growing animation scene in Norwich which
is producing high calibre work which I am really proud to have in
the programme.
All these things a festival does are important,
and nothing else out there seems to serve the same purpose.
Can anybody enjoy the festival, or is it just
for those working in the animation industry?
It's aimed at anyone who enjoys art, film, music,
pop culture, cartoons, creativity and HAVING FUN!
It's also aimed at aspiring animators and film
makers, creative companies and people studying moving image in some
form or another, whether that's an MA in animation or GCSE media
studies.
A lot of the names and films in the programme will
be completely new to people, but this is not a barrier to enjoyment!
Just for example, if you love the Simpsons, Gorillaz
or a good drama, you will love the competition programmes. If you
love Southpark and skateboarding you will love the Don Herzfeldt
retrospective.
If you want to make it in the world of animation
or interactivity you will get a lot from the three seminars in the
programme.
If you loved Roobarb & Custard, you will get the
chance to meet its maker, legendary animator Bob Godfrey at the
awards ceremony.
I really encourage anyone to go and give it a try.
What are the festival highlights?
I'd say the competition programmes as they showcase
the best animation in the world.
Oscar nominee, Don Herzfeldt's programme is the
funniest thing you will ever see, I guarantee it! When
I first saw his film Rejected the man next to me literally cried
with laughter.
Read
more about the Festival seminars and career opportunities in animation
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听
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