ShortsTV, East Los Angeles College and Cinema and Without Borders are proud to present the Oscar® Nominated Shorts Animation Day, the fifth edition of the annual East Los Angeles College International Animation Festival featuring the 2019 Oscar® Nominated Short Films – Animation.
“The goal of the ELAC International Animation Festival is to give an in-depth and entertaining introduction to contemporary international animation. Screenings of short animated films from around the world, analyses and Q&As with a panel of well-known animation experts, and a tribute to an international animation artist working in animation industry are all part of the festival program.” said Bijan Tehrani, Director of the ELAC Animation Day Festival.
Oscar® Nominated Shorts Animation Day will be held on Saturday, March 23th 2019 at East Los Angeles College, located at 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Screenings will be held in the Building S1 Screening Room 112. Free parking will be available in Structure 4. On corner of W Floral Drive and Collegian Avenue.
This event is open to public and free to attend. Just RSVP to rsvpanim@gmail.com
Program:
12:30 PM Reception Appetizers provided by Carnival Restaurant
1:30 PM Opening Remarks & ELAC Students Films
1:50 PM Screening of 2019 Oscar® Nominated Short Animation Films
2:45 PM Panel & Q & A
3:20 PM Spotlight: Animation by students of University in Zlín, Czech Republic
3:40 PM Tribute to the Hungarian Legend: Mr. Ferenc Rofusz, and screening of his Oscar winning short animated film Fly
4:00 PM Closing remarks
2019 Oscar® Nominated Short Animation Films
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, Canda – Directors: ALISON SNOWDEN and DAVID FINE
Dealing with what comes naturally isn’t easy, especially for animals.
In “ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR”, the latest animated short from the Oscar®-winning team of Alison Snowden and David Fine (Bob’s Birthday), five animals meet regularly to discuss their inner angst in a group therapy session led by Dr. Clement, a canine psychotherapist.
BAO – USA -Winner of 2019 Oscar – Director: DOMEE SHI
Synopsis: In Disney•Pixar’s “BAO,” an aging Chinese mom suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy. Mom excitedly welcomes this new bundle of joy into her life, but Dumpling starts growing up fast, and Mom must come to the bittersweet revelation that nothing stays cute and small forever. This short film from Pixar Animation Studios and director Domee Shi explores the ups and downs of the parent-child relationship through the colorful, rich, and tasty lens of the Chinese immigrant community in Canada.
LATE AFTERNOON (Ireland) Director: LOUISE BAGNALL
Emily is an elderly woman who lives between two states, the past and the present. She journeys into an inner world, reliving moments from her life. She searches for a connection within her vivid, but fragmented memories.
ONE SMALL STEP (USA/China) Directors: ANDREW CHESWORTH and BOBBY PONTILLAS
Luna is a vibrant young Chinese American girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. From the day she witnesses a rocket launching into space on TV, Luna is driven to reach for the stars. In the big city, Luna lives with her loving father Chu, who supports her with a humble shoe repair business he runs out of his garage. As Luna grows up, she enters college, facing adversity of all kinds in pursuit of her dreams
WEEKENDS (USA) Director: TREVOR JIMENEZ
“WEEKENDS” is the story of a young boy shuffling between the homes of his recently divorced parents. Surreal dream-like moments mix with the domestic realities of a broken up family in this hand-animated film set in 1980’s Toronto.
Tribute to a Legend: Ferenc Rofusz
Ferenc Rofusz is an internationally recognized artist who has been distinguished with numerous international awards for his accomplishments in the field of animation. He is also the recipient of the 1981 Oscar for writing, directing and producing the animated short film, “The Fly.”
As probably the first (and since not many other did that) Ferenc Rofusz made a film with background animation
Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1946, he began his career in animation as an assistant director in 1968 at Pannonia Studios in Budapest, and by 1984 he had the position of animation director.
In 1984 he left for West Germany where he designed several animated TV series.
In 1988 Mr. Rofusz moved to Canada where he worked for Nelvana Ltd. an animation company in Toronto. In 1990 he established his own animation company. He is the founder and the Creative Director of Super Fly Films Inc. that produced more than sixty commercials and several animation projects up too now using both traditional and computer / digital animation techniques.
He moved back to Budapest in 2001 since then he made several awards winning animated series, commercials, etc.
His achievements were recognized by the government and in 2011 awarded the prestigious Kossuth prize.
In 2018 Completed the „Az utolsó vacsora” (“The Last Supper”) an unconventional animated painting-film, with this Ferenc Rofusz wishes to manifest his admiration for Leonardo da Vinci’ decaying but even in that, eternally divine masterpiece.
Recognizing his professional achievements, he has received the “Artist of the Nation” title in November 2018.
In our tribute session today in a video Mr. Ferenc Rofusz talk about his work and how he won the Oscar, but some else pretended to be him to receive the award!
Spotlight
In Spotlight section of our program we will screen four films from Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín, Czech Republic. Mr. Lukáš Gregor Head of Animation Department at Tomáš Baťa University writes:
“The essence of our studio is the story. The story and its heroes who tell it. Making each animated movie has taught us patience, forcing us to look for new ways to give our ideas an adequate form. We realize that every detail of animation is very important, and we try to lead students towards the most functional result.
The animation is a game packed with a fantasy that should not only be entertaining to the viewer but also, to its author. However, it is necessary that students become accustomed to the fundamental principles of film-making. Because even imagination needs order. Based on it, ideas can then be built, and own stories revived.
We focus on the craft of animation and the necessary attributes of the production process. For us is important the student’s ability to work with others, to be a part of the team, however his individuality and specialization too.
Our department is in a small town with a strong tradition of animation. In Zlin was created movies for example by Karel Zeman. Now we try to look to the future and prepare our students not only for their way of authorship but for work inside the large animation industry too.”
Panel Members:
Sarah Baisley
Sarah Baisley served as editor in chief of AWN, 2003 to 2007. In charge of all content creation for popular monthly professional online magazine, three weekly newsletters and daily online news service serving the animation and visual effects industries worldwide (155 countries). Previously editor in chief of Animation Magazine for five years, she is a specialist in animation publicity and journalism and is freelancing now in the wine industry as a journalist and marketing specialist. She headed publicity at Hanna-Barbara, Ruby-Spears, Southern Star and Film Roman studios during the previous 17 years of her career. She is founding member of Women in Animation. She also is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and participates on panels concerning topics about the animation and visual effects industries. Currently she is a retailer and journalist about wine and spirits.
Christopher R. Harz
Dr. Chris Harz has a doctorate in Educational Technology, with a focus on using VR/XR for training, collaborative learning, storytelling, war games, and fitness. He has led teams of animation, AI, and videogame artists in producing over $500 million of animation-related products for the US, Germany, NATO, Israel, and many other countries, for military and civilian applications. His experience ranges from initial design of animation-based products to productization, packaging, distribution and support services on five continents.
In addition to projects for military and intelligence services, he has produced commercial videogames for film and TV, including The Fifth Element, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Star Trek. Chris has written extensively for Animation Magazine, Animation World, and other publications. He is currently working on using Blockchain for eGames and on producing VR videos for therapy and lucid dream induction.
Larry Leker
Larry Leker has trained and mastered skills in writing, directing, story, animation, cinematics, production design, and art direction. This wealth of experience has given him a perspective on the entire creative process and animation pipelines (2D and 3D). As a creative problem solver, he has worked with production leads to bring stories to the screen in ways that thrill and surprise audiences. Larry’s extensive experience includes work for Disney, Warner Bros., and FOX TV. He was the layout animator and story developer for blockbuster classics Aladdin, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. Larry is currently working on an as yet untitled upcoming animated feature as well a a series of graphic novels.
Mike Libonati
Mike has been an animation and visual effects instructor for over 15 years. His students have had their work presented at Siggraph, CTN Animation Expo and various film festivals throughout the country. In addition to teaching, Mike works in 2D and 3D development in Los Angeles for various clients for both film and television including projects for Disney, Universal and Fox. Mike has also worked on renderings for architectural lighting design on projects such as the Coex Mall in Korea, Asia’s largest underground mall, and Tesla Motor Company in Los Angeles. Mike has a Master’s Degree from CalArts in Experimental Animation. He currently teaches animation at ELAC.
Tom McLean
Thomas J. McLean is a freelance writer, editor, author and speaker who has written extensively about animation, visual effects, cinematography and sound for such publications as Deadline.com’s AwardsLine, Variety, Animation Magazine, Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter. He has moderated and appeared on panels at Comic-Con International: San Diego, Book Expo America, The World Animation and VFX Summit and New York Comic-Con. He has been a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Book Industry Awards and the Comic-Con International Film Festival. He is the author of Mutant Cinema: The X-Men Trilogy From Comics to Screen (2008), available from the Sequart Research and Literacy Organization. He blogs occasionally at tjmcleanwrites.com. A native of Canada, McLean has a degree in journalism from the University of Arizona and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two daughters and a lot of old comic books.
Supporting Organizations: Animation Magazine, Southeast European Film Festival LA, Polish Film Festival LA, Hungarian Film Festival LA, Scandinavian Film Festival LA, Czech Republic General Consulate Los Angeles and Marina Bailey Film Publicity.
Reception Sponsor: Carnival Restaurant is the sponsor of the 2019 Oscar® Nominated Short Films – Animation Day reception. Carnival Restaurant offering Mediterranean Cuisine is located at 4356 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. http://www.carnivalrest.com/
Organizers:
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East Los Angeles College
East Los Angeles College (ELAC) is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ELAC is one of nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) The College was established in 1945 and is situated in a secure, comfortable environment in the suburban community of Monterey Park, conveniently located 8 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Our multicultural student body of over 30,000 students complements the communities that ELAC serves. ELAC grants Associate in Arts/Science (A.A./A.S.) degrees as well as Certificate Programs.
Cinema Without Borders
Cinema Without Borders (www.cinemawithoutborders.com) is an international cinema webzine dedicated to covering and discovering the news, reviews, trends and new artistic milestones in independent film and filmmaking worldwide. Cinema Without Borders Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting independent and international cinema and filmmakers. Bijan Tehrani, Editor in Chief of CWB is also the Director of ELAC International Animation Day Festival