Drawn

The Ottawa International Animation Festival is coming up next month and Drawn! will definitely be there. Both John and I will be traipsing across the streets of Canada’s capital viewing animated gems from around the world. The dates are September 20th – 24th. This will be my third year in a row and so far I haven’t tired of it. One new feature for the festival this year has been the introduction of their own podcast. It’s been an interesting one so far, featuring several of the “Signal Films” (the short intro films before each and every screening), interview with animator John Straiton, as well as drawings of Norman McLaren. Click HERE for more information and how to subscribe.

Click HERE for the OIAF 06 schedule. Looks to be another great festival. Some of the highlights:

Previously mentioned Joel Trussell‘s War Photographer will be screened, as well as Michael Sporn‘s The Man Who Walked Between the Towers (award-winning film based off the book that won the 2004 Caldecott Medal—there’s a short clip featured on his site). Also, in the student categories, I noticed some entries from the previously mentioned GOBELINS school in France. Never a letdown with those French animation students.

There’s going to be a Bob Clampett Retrospective (nice), a screening called Cultoons! Strange, Rare and Lost Cartoons!, which sounds promising, and one for the John K. fans: John Kricfalusi Presents: Ren and Stimpy: The Lost Episodes. Plus, lots more to see and do, including panels, workshops, and book signings. (Amid Amidi will be there to sign copies of his fantastic Cartoon Modern.)

If you happen to find yourself in Ottawa September 20th through the 24th, be sure to contact me or John. It’s always fun to meet fellow Drawn! readers. Hope to see you there.