Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s first festival honored filmmakers for contributions to animation and cinema; competitive categories ranged from ‘Best Animated Feature’ to ‘Visionary Use of Technology in Short Film’ with animated works garnering 12 awards.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry wrapped up its first Portland Festival of Cinema and Technology (PFCAT), showcasing 119 films, including 111 world and regional premieres and 68 animated films and shorts. Sunday, August 6, the festival presented awards to filmmakers for their achievements and contributions to both cinema and animation.
PFCAT featured 10 awards for contributions to animation, including Best Animated Feature; Best 3D Animated Short; Best 2D Animated Short; Best Animated Short Short; Best Animated Comedic Short; Best Experimental Animation; Best Object Animation in a Short Film; Best Stop Motion Microshort; Best Animated Short Short; and Best Use of Unreal Engine.
Other key awards garnered by animated films and shorts included Visionary Use of Technology in a Short Film; Best Student Film; Best Music Video; Best Oregon Short; Best Documentary Short; and Innovative Sound Experience Award.
Animation Winners Include:
- The Best Animated Feature Winner - Quantum Cowboys by Geoff Marslett
- Best 2D Animated Short Winner - Echo by Sergio Kotsovoulos
- Best 3D Animation Short Winner - Regular Rabbit by Eoin Duffy
- Best Animated Comedic Short Winner - Critterz by Chad Nelson
- Best Experimental Animation Winner - Of Wood by Owen Klatte
- Best Stop-Motion Microshort Winner - Sleepy by Rich Webber
- Best Animated Short Short Winner - Cool for You by Sherene Strausberg
- Best Animated Short for Children Winner - The Adventures of Baxter & Clyde by John Michaud
- Best Music Video Winner - Austin Karimloo by Patricia Luna
- Best Student Film - Lonely Island by Kristie Kish
- Innovative Sound Experience Winner - The Eye: Calanthek by Aaron Sims
- Visionary Use of Technology in a Short Film Winner - Shelf Life by Peter Litwinowicz
The 2023 festival jury boasted animation industry veterans, including Eric Adkins (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Shape Island, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, The Boxtrolls, Wendell & Wild); Akiko Ashley of Luminetik Productions; Signe Baumane (Rocks In My Pockets, My Love Affair With Marriage); and Peter Sorg (Chicken Run 2-Dawn of the Nugget, Coraline, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie, Wendell & Wild).
“The competition was incredibly tight, and our wonderful jury had some tough choices, with many awards coming down to one-tenth of a point,” commented festival co-director and co-founder Peter Issac Alexander. “All official selections, nominees, and, of course, award winners should feel great about what they have achieved.”
Learn more about the festival and winners here.
Source: Portland Festival of Cinema and Technology
