(Photo: Saille Schumacher)

The 4^th annual “2D OR NOT 2D Animation Festival” was arguably the best yet! With record entries for the ‘Golden Pencil Awards’ by over 50% and more tickets sold than ever before it is clear that the one-day formula is something that everyone was pleased about. The films too went down well, with loud and generous applause being given up at the end of each film’s screening.

(Photo: Tony White)

Clearly the highlight of the event was the introduction of the fabulous “Secret of Kells” movie by director Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart. This film, a magical telling of the story about the creation of Ireland’s famous sacred book, The Book of Kells, proved a huge hit with the audience… deserving the long, standing ovation it got at the close. Tomm and Ross proved very popular with everyone and were always on hand to discuss their film as well as graciously accept its accolades.

(Photo: Saille Schumacher)

The big surprise for Tomm and Ross at the end of the evening was when they were presented with this year’s prestigious “Roy E. Disney Award”… for their outstanding contribution to animation in getting the film made in the first place.

(Photo: Raymond Yan)

“Secret of Kells” will be launched in the USA on St. Patrick’s Day in 2010 and there is every reason to believe that audiences nationwide will embrace the film as well as the festival audience did on December 5^th.

Another first for the festival earlier in the day was the screening the movie-length film, “Sita Sings the Blues“. This remarkable one-woman production by cartoonist, artist and social activist Nina Paley was a joy to behold. Nina has released the film into the public domain, meaning that anyone can show it anywhere, anytime under any circumstance, relying on the generous donations of the public to support her work. Donations to Nina can be made at http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/donate.html.

In terms of the volume of applause, the festival favorite short film was the CG-animated “The Mouse That Soared” by Kyle Bell. Kyle was in attendance to accept his award and to make a short acceptance speech to the appreciative audience.

(Photo: Jennifer Sronce)

In all 9 Golden Pencil Awards were given out this year. The standard was so high and the qualifying films so close together in merit that it was very difficult for the judges to separate them. Normally only one or two awards are given out per category but this year three were presented in the three major categories. For those films that it was thought just edged it for outright originality in the judge’s attention, a Commended rider was added. The nine winning films were….

2D ANIMATION:

“The Thing in the Distance” by Elliot Cowan.

“Wings and Oars” by Vladimire Leschiov.

“Yellow Sticky Notes” by Jeff Chiba Stearns. (Commended.)

ALL-STYLE ANIMATION:

“The Not So Great Eugene Green” by Michael Hill.

“Light Headed” by Mike Dacko.

“The Mouse That Soared” by Kyle Bell. (Commended & audience favorite).

STUDENT ANIMATION:

“Higher Education” by Amber Holowaychuk.

“The Sheep on the Roof” by Remy Schaepman.

“Topi” by Arjun Rihan. (Commended.)

As the organizers are closely connected to DigiPen Institute of Technology (the festival sponsors, with additional support from Pacific Science Center) it was not possible for their student films to figure in the ‘Student’ section of the Golden Pencil Awards. Therefore a special new category was established where a Golden Pencil was awarded to the ‘Best DigiPen Student Film of the Year’ award. This year’s DigiPen Golden pencil was awarded to Jenna Smith and Ryan Miller for their totally enchanting 2D-animated short, “Lighthouse Girl”. When screened this film got a rapturous reception from the audience, confirming what the DigiPen faculty already knew… that this talented duo has a bright future ahead of them!

(Photo: Raymond Yan)

It goes without saying that this festival, which began in Everett’s Historic Theater in 2006 and moved to the Pacific Science Center in 2008 is growing in popularity and respect on the festival circuit with every year. The only drawback to it being held in December is that festivalgoers had to brave the biting cold wind to attend. It is therefore being considered that the festival be moved to the summer or autumn months in 2010, ensuring that fans will find it warmer and brighter when traveling to and from this incredible event in Seattle diary!

(Photo: Tony White)

The ‘Animaticus Foundation’, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, teaching and evolving of traditional animation in this digital world, hosts the “2D OR NOT 2D Animation Festival”. (www.animaticus.com) The Foundation is currently embarking on developing their first ever feature film project, “The Adventures of Uncle Lubin”. Once funded the Animaticus Foundation hopes to open their own ‘Atelier’ academy in association with DigiPen, where talented post-graduate students can apprentice to master professionals on genuine groundbreaking films. Proceeds from the festival (and Foundation membership) are therefore 100% donated to the creation of a 1-minute teaser for the film, which will hopefully attract full production funding for the project, which will also include a half-hour TV Special and unique Video Game as part of the investment package.

The organizers of the 2009 “2D OR NOT 2D Animation Festival” wish to thank the festival sponsors, DigiPen and Pacific Science Center, as well as all the helpers, volunteers and promoters that made this year’s event such an unqualified success!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

I just want to give special recognition to the two students, Ryan Miller and Jenna Smith, who created the beautiful film “Lighthouse Girl” - winner of the special DigiPen Golden Pencil Award for best student film over the past year. Here are just a few still from the film…

I

I wish you both the best of luck in your chosen career! Clearly you will have a great deal to offer the industry!

Tony.   :^{)}=-

I just want to offer all those who came to the festival a BIG THANK YOU for turning out on a cold winter’s day to see some of the finest animation anywhere. From your applause and your laughter it was clear you were having a great time. Your appreciation only encourages us to make this festival even bigger and better next year. (And maybe we’ll even move it into the summer or fall months when the weather is much more sympathetic!)

Also, thank you to all those among you who filled-out our questionaire and became members of the Animaticus Foundation. Who knows, next year we might even have an ‘Uncle Lubin‘ trailer to show you!  :)

Tony.   :^{)}=-

Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart in Q&A after their film screening and receiving their “Roy E. Disney Award“.

There is no doubt that the highlight of this years festival was the evening screening of “Secret of Kells” and the appearance of director Tomm Moore and art director Ross Stewart. The film is truly great and was much appreciated by the enthusiastic audience… in the form of a long standing ovation at the end. Highlight for the festival organizers was when Tomm and Ross were presented with the coveted “Roy E. Disney Award“.

“Secret of Kells” is to be released in the USA on St. Patrick’s Day next year and I urge everyone who wants art, intelligence and inspiraton from their movies not to miss this one. Clearly the future of European animation is safe in the hands of folks like Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart!

Jenna Smith and Ryan Miller celebrate their award for the beautiful “Lighthouse Girl“. (Photo: Jennifer Sronce.)

Here, hot off the press, are this years winners of Golden Pencil Awards…

2D ANIMATION:

“The Thing in the Distance” by Elliot Cowan.

“Wings and Oars” by Vladimire Leschiov.

“Yellow Sticky Notes” by Jeff Chiba Stearns. (Commended.)

ALL-STYLE ANIMATION:

“The Not So Great Eugene Green” by Michael Hill.

“Light Headed” by Mike Dacko.

“The Mouse That Soared” by Kyle Bell. (Commended & audience favorite).

Kyle Bell receives his Golden Pencil for “The Mouse That Soared“. (Photo: Jennifer Sronce.)

STUDENT ANIMATION:

“Higher Education” by Amber Holowaychuk.

“The Sheep on the Roof” by Remy Schaepman.

“Topi” by Arjun Rihan. (Commended.)

DIGIPEN STUDENT AWARD:

“Lighthouse Girl” by Jenna Smith and Ryan Miller.

More soon…

Publisher Focal Press is supporting the festival by offering 30% off discount vouchers for all their art and animation books. So, just show up and you’ll get your discount voucher together with your program.

Focal are also offering free book prizes to all our Golden Pencil Award winners… plus discounts for all members of the Animaticus Foundation.

(Now I really must dash!)

See you there!

…for today we put on a great animation festival!

“Secret of Kells” art director Ross Stewart and director Tomm Moore have a relaxed evening in a Redmond restaurant before delighting us all when presenting their delightful award-winning film later today. Hopefully this will be the ‘cherry on the cake’ in what will be a wonderful day all round for every animation fan!

Must dash now… time to set off for the Pacific Science Center!

See y’all at 1.45 pm!

We made it! Its the day of the festival and we can’t wait to show you films that will impress and astound you.

Like this one for instance…

Or this one…

Find out what these three films are all about when they are shown later today. There’s a number of films you already know about but what about these… they’re not even in the program!

See you later!

Up early today, wondering if everything’s set for the big event tomorrow. I’m relieved to say that director Tomm Moore and art director Ross Stewart arrived safe (but tired) after their long flight last night. Hopefully they’ll be well rested by tomorrow so they can present their fantastic movie “Secret of Kells” at the event.

Nice people!

Interesting fact… they’ve just received an “Annie” nomination for the film and now Tomm is flying to and from LA on Sunday (7.00 am till 10.00 pm!) to promote the film at ASIFA-LA for a much-hoped-for “Oscar“ nomination too.

DigiPen students will be excited to know that the couple are coming in to the school on Monday morning to show their work and answer Q&A’s before flying back to Europe in the afternoon.

As I said… NICE PEOPLE! You’ll definitely enjoy meeting them tomorrow.

See you there!  :)

“The Lost Sock” is a great 3D animated film with a genuine Tim Burton flavor! Have you ever wondered what happens to a missing sock that never re-emerges from your washer?  Well, this film offers some credence to that legend of a sock monster!

See you tomorrow!!!