Here it is – the world class international animation festival the US has been craving. 2016 marks the launch of the first annual GLAS Animation Festival in Berkeley California.
Festival director Jeanette Bonds states, “We are expanding the scope of animation by bringing new voices, new talents, new themes, and a new generation of independent filmmakers and curators to the United States. We highlight contemporary independent animation while curating special programs of the most significant periods of animation history that serve as an inspiration for the new generation of filmmakers.
“At GLAS Animation Festival we feature a breadth of programs including international competition shorts, retrospectives, special curated programs, Q&As, behind the scene presentations, panels, and animation installations. Our competition categories include Best Narrative, Non-Narrative, Undergraduate, Graduate, and Commissioned short films as well as a Best Feature. In addition, to highlight the exceptional work of independent animators within the United States, GLAS is featuring a US Competition and a US Emerging Artist screening.”
Submissions close December 1st. Passes have gone on sale Click here to register.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS WILL INCLUDE:
TRIBUTE TO SATOSHI KON
This year we are featuring three works from one of the most pivotal and transformative animation directors of all time, the late Satoshi Kon. These modern masterpieces, which include Paprika, Perfect Blue, and Tokyo Godfathers, not only blur the lines between fantasy and reality but radically exploit the cinematic art form to tell wild stories, vast in scope and ambition. Kon had a strong interest in lead female characters, idolatry, and sociopolitical issues, making him a crucial influence on the perception of mainstream animation as a medium to address serious themes. His legacy has served and will continue to serve as an inspiration to animators and filmmakers of every sort.
The Netherlands has had a long tradition of animated cinema with a strong reputation for the production of independent shorts. Postwar filmmakers such as Garrit Van Dijk, whose films often dealt with social issues, paved the path for the future generation of Dutch filmmakers. Holland Animation Film Festival‘s Gerben Schermer has curated two special screenings of Dutch animation providing us with a comprehensive overview of Dutch animated films from past to present including a unique selection of Dutch animated films from the 1980s and a collection of the best Contemporary Dutch shorts. Dutch animator Hisko Hulsing, director of the multiple award-winning film Junkyard, will be joining us on our professional shorts jury and to provide us with an in-depth look at the animation he directed in Montage of Heck, the only authorized documentary about Kurt Cobain, directed by Academy Award winning director Brett Morgen. – Presented by The Kingdom of the Netherlands
2D ANIMATION IN LIVE-ACTION
In 2015, a number of major live-action directors have employed the art and vision of independent animators to further enhance the stories being told in their films. To celebrate this, we are taking the time to focus on two prominent examples – Diary of a Teenage Girl and and Montage of Heck. These two particular films highlight the strong aesthetic vision of animation directors Sara Gunnarsdottír and Hisko Hulsing. Each animation director will introduce their respective films, participate in Q&As following the screening, as well as provide us with behind the scenes presentations in each film.
FESTIVAL HONOREE PAUL VESTER
Our festival honoree for the 2016 edition of GLAS is British-born Paul Vester, whose films Picnic, Sunbeam, In the Woods, and Abductees embody a lifetime of dedication to an independent we value at GLAS. His highly observational films carry a unique tone, often juxtaposing a playful use of the animated medium with serious critiques of war, violence, and the global political landscape. As an independent filmmaker, a pivotal figure in the Liquid TV generation, and as a longtime faculty member of the CalArts Experimental Animation Program, Paul’s contributions have made him an inspiration to the new generation of independent animators.
KIRSTEN LEPORE’S ADVENTURE TIME ADVENTURE
Kirsten Lepore provides us with an in-depth look at her special stop-motion episode of CN’s Adventure Time. We’ll also see her personal works leading up to the episode. Join us afterward for a Q&A with Lepore led by Jason Sondhi
BEHIND THE ANIMATION OF DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL
Sara Gunnasrdottír, director of the unique animated documentary Pirate of Love, will guide us through the making of her beautiful animation in Diary of a Teenage Girl directed by Marielle Heller. Sara will discuss her career path which led to the collaboration on the feature film, share her personal films, and share with us behind the scenes imagery of the animation she created in Diary of a Teenage Girl.
PHIL TIPPET
Animator Phil Tippett discusses his pioneering career in visual effects, touching on influences and inspirations for his contributions to beloved films such as Star Wars, Robocop, Starship Troopers and Jurassic Park, as well as contemporary additions to his filmography. Presentation to be followed by a screening of his auteur stop-motion projectMAD GOD, accompanied by commentary on the cathartic nature of developing a fully independent crowdsourced film. Q&A to follow.
JEREMY CLAPIN
Award-winning director Jeremy Clapin, best known for his recent shorts Skhizein and Palmipedarium, has been pushing the boundaries of animation for over a decade. Each film utilizes a memorable technique, but it’s the subtlety of the filmmaking, depth of character, and intricacy and emotion of the stories that stick with you. We are excited to present a retrospective of his work, including shorts, commercials and music videos, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker moderated by Short of the Week Co-Creator/Chief Editor and Vimeo Curator Jason Sondhi joins us after the screening to lead a Q&A. Co-presented by French Consulate.
DUTCH ANIMATION: PAST AND PRESENT
Holland Animation Film Festival’s Gerben Schermer has curated two special screenings of Dutch animation providing us with aN overview of Dutch animated films from past to present including a unique selection of Dutch animated films from the 1980’s and a collection of the best Contemporary Dutch shorts. Presented by The Kingdom of the Netherlands
AFTER MICKEY! UB Iwerks’ Lost Cartoon Masterpieces 1930-1935
Yours truly, Animation Scoop’s Jerry Beck, introduces a program of recently restored (by archivist Steve Stanchfield) classic Hollywood cartoons from the golden age by Ub Iwerks, the original designer/animator of Mickey Mouse. Flip The Frog and Willie Whopper headline these forgotten masterpieces of rubber-hose animation, rare color prints and sexy pre-code antics highlight the show – many unseen in over 70 years.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. A dozen more programs are listed and many more are being planned. The Festival will be held March 3rd through 6th with screenings and panels held at Shattuck Cinemas, the David Brower Center, and the Berkeley Art Center. Check out the GLAS website to find out all the information. See you there!
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