The free virtual event received over 2,100 entries from more than 100 countries, the largest numbers in its history; conference and festival runs April 21-25.
KingstOOn, Jamaica’s premier Animation Conference and Film Festival slated for April 21-25, 2021, has received a record number of entries - over 2,100 entries from over 100 countries, the most in event history. The positive global response bodes well for the event’s first ever virtual staging, which organizers estimate will draw well over 10,000 attendees.
Despite global challenges, producers of animation in 108 countries submitted almost 1,500 entries in the Best International Short Film category, followed by over 750 in the Best International Student Film category and about 300 in the Best International Special Effects Film category.
“An amazing show in a year where the physical collaboration on projects was stymied worldwide by Covid restrictions,” noted the event’s animation specialist, Robert Reid.
The competition, however, does reflect the limitations faced by Caribbean content creators whose overall submissions dropped as economic challenges left many unable to focus on the competition and forced some to seek alternate sources of income outside of the industry. The decline in participation from Jamaican students was also noticeable as many depend on school computer labs to collaborate and create content.
“Limited access to technology is, unfortunately, a Caribbean wide source of contention,” noted Reid, adding that despite this, “Jamaica ranked 6th with 100 submissions in the Caribbean Short Film, Character Design, Concept, and the Storyboard categories. In total there were 124 submissions from the Caribbean.”
With film entries received from so many different countries, the event will truly celebrate the festival’s theme, “Diversity in Animation.”
The Animation Conference will begin on April 21, with the Film Festival slated to start on April 15 with films being accessible on demand after they are aired.
Additional information and free registration are available here.
Source: KingstOOn Animation Conference and Film Festival
