Ottawa Int’l Animation Fest Kicks Off Sept. 17

Now in its 38th year, the festival’s roster includes a star-studded list of animators such as David OReilly, Tom Warburton, Ron Clements & John Musker, and Oscar winner Torill Kove.

OTTAWA, Ontario -- From September 17-21, Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) audiences will feast their eyes on the edgiest, most innovative animation the world has to offer.

Now in its 38th year, the OIAF is an event that unites artists, industry professionals, students and the public for a unique experience that can be compared to no other. The OIAF returns this year to treat its audiences to another slate of Canadian and International animation gems.

As an industry leader, the OIAF has welcomed a slew of animation legends such as Norman McLaren, Frederick Back, Chuck Jones, John Lasseter, Richard Williams, David Silverman (The Simpsons), Henry Selick, and Peter Lord every year since 1976. This year is no exception as the festival’s roster includes a star-studded list of animators such as David OReilly (Her), Tom Warburton (Code Name: Kids Next Door), Ron Clements & John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), and Oscar winner Torill Kove (The Danish Poet).

Directors from major studios such as Walt Disney, LAIKA, the National Film Board of Canada, Pixar, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon will also be in attendance for talks and workshops as well as The Animation Conference (TAC).

Highlights of the event this year include:

  • Five short film competitions featuring the world’s latest and greatest animation.
  • Five feature films that will be battling it out for the Grand Prize. Among them is the acclaimed Canadian animation documentary, Seth's Dominion.
  • Superstar animation and video game (Mountain) creator David OReilly will be in town for a one-on-one talk with Chris Robinson and a retrospective screening of his work.
  • “Pioneers of Animation: Walt Disney Animation Studios” is a wide-ranging tribute to the world’s most famous animation studio highlighted by an anniversary screening of The Little Mermaid (introduced by the directors) and screenings of classic Disney short films selected by Leonard Maltin and Jerry Beck.
  • LAIKA Studio will be joining us for a special behind-the-scenes look at their new film The Boxtrolls.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub, with a total attendance of 28,000 artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world.

OIAF 14 runs from September 17-21 at the Bytowne Cinema, National Gallery, Arts Court, Chateau Laurier, St. Brigids, the Ottawa Little Theatre, and Silvercity.

Source: The Ottawa International Animation Festival

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Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.