Canadian Animators at OIAF
Ottawa International Animation Festival Draws Canuck Animators
Jul 24, 2008
Canadian animation is alive and well, according to the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF).
Thirteen Canadian Entries Compete, 15 Showcase at OIAF
The festival received a record-breaking 2149 entries this year, with 105 films representing 70 different countries. From all those entries, 97 short films, 4 feature films and 4 schools have been chosen for the Official Competitions.
Thirteen Canadian works made it into the exclusive competition and 15 more will be screened during the Showcase programs.
“Alongside our usual assortment of outstanding works from the National Film Board of Canada, we have Dino-Orange, Mixy Tapes and Cattle Call, three totally different films from new filmmakers that are funny, low-budget, weird and smart,” says OIAF Artistic Director Chris Robinson in the press release. “It’s refreshing to see some exciting and ballsy new work emerging in this country.”
Here are some of the highlights out of all the Canadian entries at the OIAF:
- An Intergalactic Who's Who offers an out of this world take on vintage Canadiana.
- The Mixy Tapes follow the trials, tribulations and difference of opinions that two friends face while attempting to shoot a music video.
- Cattle Call lets the viewer experience the sensory overload simply from attending a Winnipeg livestock auction.
- Dino-Orange features a lesson on how birds fly, courtesy of some dinosaurs, oranges, two guys and an evil monster
Will Inrig, a student at Ottawa's Canterbury High School, makes his debut with the animated short film The Depose of Bolskivoi Hovhannes. The short will be taking on competitors from Canada, U.S, South Korea & Sweden in the Animation Competition – High School Animation category at this year’s Festival.
Fellow Ottawan Kyle Marshall’s short film The Triumphant Campaigns Of Captain Cudney will make its world premiere as part of the Canadian Showcase. The short follows the titular captain as he crosses uncharted seas in search of his abducted lover.
In addition to the competitions, features and showcase presentations, the 2008 Ottawa International Animation Festival program schedule highlights other talented Canadian animators. Toronto born, Oscar-winning animation director Richard Williams will be in attendance for a special 20th anniversary screening of his runaway hit film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?.
Williams is also there to promote his book, The Animator's Survival Kit, and the associated 16-DVD box set, which can be yours for the sinfully low price of $1,011.88. That price only lasts until November 17th, when it jumps 20% to $1,214.26
A music video retrospective looks at the works of Christopher Mills, who has worked with performers like Rush, Sam Roberts, The Tragically Hip, Mandy Moore, Modest Mouse, and Interpol.
The Animation Festival’s Artistic Director Chris Robinson also takes audiences on a road trip across Canada to experience animation from Vancouver to Halifax with his major four-part program based on his new book – Looking for A Place to Happen: On the Road with Canadian Animators.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival runs from September 17th to the 21st in Ottawa, Canada.
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