Held for the first time in Los Angeles, this edition of the acclaimed festival launched in Portland, Oregon in 2007, is also the first ever in which festival director Irene Kotlarz collaborates with a new generation of curators—drawn from CalArts’ animation programs—to reflect the interests and tastes of young artists today. Over the course on one weekend, the festival offers highlights from the Annecy International Animation Festival, including Michaela Pavlátová’s Grand Pix winner Tram (2012), experimental artist Stephen Irwin’s Ottawa Grand Prix-winning Moxie (2011), and a host of films from the world’s top animation schools. Other screenings celebrate 40 years of CalArts animation; the formative influence of MTV on the internet generation; rarely screened surrealist films by stop-motion pioneer Ladislaw Starewicz; and, finally, a program by internet sensation PES that includes his own The Deep (2011). 

FESTIVAL SCREENING SCHEDULE

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7:30 pm
LADISLAS STAREWITCH
A rare screening of 35mm archival short films by the influential surrealistic stop motion pioneer. Program: L'Epouvantail (The Scarecrow), Amour Noir et Blanc (Love in Black and White), LaReine des Papillons (Queen of the Butterflies), and Les Yeux du Dragon (Eyes of TheDragon). Silent, with live music.
With thanks to Mme Beatrice Martin-Starewitch

10:00 pm
BEST OF WORLD STUDENT ANIMATION: HIGHLIGHTS OF ANNECY 2012
Screening of selections from Annecy 2012 representing a broad spectrum of schools from all over the world.

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12:00 pm
STREAMING: A CONVERSATION ABOUT ANIMATORS ON THE WEB
Panel discussion to help answer the questions that today’s animators face, considering the bewildering array of options and platforms for getting their work out to an audience. Panel including Jason Sondhi (Vimeo) and Aaron Simpson (Mondo Media). Other panelists TBA.

2:00 pm
WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS’ PAPERMAN
Members of the small, innovative group at Walt Disney Animation Studios that created Paperman screen the film and share their insights about the art, design, and technology of this innovative project.  Panelists: Director John Kahrs, Art Director Jeff Turley, and Animation Supervisor Patrick Osborne.

4:30 pm
BEST OF WORLD ANIMATION: HIGHLIGHTS OF ANNECY 2012
Screening of selections from Annecy 2012. Films include Michaela Pavlátová’s Annecy Cristal winner Tram and experimental artist Stephen Irwin’s Ottawa 2011 Grand Prix winner Moxie. Other award-winning films include Hisko Helsing’s Junkyard, Grand Prize winner Ottawa 2012, and Oh, Willy by Emma de Swaef and Marc James Roels, which won the European Cartoon d’Or, and Grand Prix at the Holland Animation Festival. 

7:00 pm
PES: A RETROSPECTIVE
The director and animator of numerous witty short stop-motion films and commercials, PES has a huge following at festivals and on the internet. PES will screen and discuss a selection of his work
In person: PES

9.30 pm
PLATFORM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: KATSUHIRO OTOMO
The renowned manga artist and anime director pays a rare visit to Los Angeles to receive the first PLATFORM Lifetime Achievement Award. A screening of Otomo’s stunning new short film Combustible will be followed by an interview with animation historian and journalist Jerry Beck. In person, Kasuhiro Otomo. Moderator, Jerry Beck.
With thanks to Walt Disney Feature Animation and ASIFA Hollywood.

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12:00 pm
“AWESOME” CARTOON NETWORK
Screening and panel. A selection of shows and creative interstitials that exemplify an influential trend in TV and internet animation, appearing first in the network’s Powerpuff Girls. Reaching its height with the pioneering Adventure Time, the culture of “awesome” emphasizes a clean and bubbly aesthetic, positivity, and distinctive, random humor.  The screening will be followed by a panel with Rob Sorcher, (Chief Content Officer, Cartoon Network); Pendleton Ward; JG Quintel; Pete Browngardt and Rebecca Sugar. Moderator, Ramin Zahed
With thanks to Cartoon Network

2:30 pm
CALARTS: A 40-YEAR EVOLUTION, PROGRAM 1
A retrospective of CalArts animation first presented at Annecy 2012. Examples from four decades of Character and Experimental Animation featuring student films by John Lasseter, Henry Selick, and Steve Hillenburg, as well as more recent graduates.

5:00 pm
LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
A distinguished panel that spans several generations of CalArts graduates who have been successful in various fields of the animation business or as independent artists, will discus their paths from graduation to their current success. Panelists include: Craig McCracken, creator of Powerpuff Girls and Wonder Over Yonder; Michael Patterson, experimental film artist, teacher and commercial filmmaker; Miwa Matreyek, animator, designer and multi-media artist; JJ Villard. Moderator: Jerry Beck.
With thanks for generous support from Disney Television Animation.

8:00 pm
CALARTS: A 40-YEAR EVOLUTION, PROGRAM 2
The second of two programs in a retrospective of CalArts animation first presented at Annecy 2012.