The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International to open its 2016 edition with the world premiere of Toonbox Entertainment’s CG-animated feature, ‘Spark,’ directed by Aaron Woodley and featuring the voice talents of Jessica Biel and Hilary Swank.
TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI), announced its 2016 Official Selection of shorts and feature films. The festival will run from April 22nd to 25th. Films will screen alongside animation workshops, discussions and industry events at George Brown College, Waterfront Campus and Corus Quay, home of Founding Sponsor, Nelvana.
TAAFI 2016 opens with the World Premiere CG feature, Spark from Toronto-based ToonBox Entertainment and its co-production partners, Red Rover and Shanghai Hoongman Technology, directed by Aaron Woodley, featuring the voice talents of Jessica Biel and Hilary Swank. Other feature screenings include the World Premiere of the classically animated, Canadian feature, Nova Seed (director, Nick DiLiberto), and Spanish stop-motion feature, Possessed (director, Samuel Erik Ortiz). TAAFI 2016’s short film selections include the 2016 Oscar-nominated We Can’t Live Without Cosmos (director, Konstantin Bronzit) and Tonko House’s Moom. In addition, TAAFI will present over 60 shorts, curated from over 1,700 submissions from around the world.
TAAFI will also welcome top animation legends to four days of discussions, workshops and signings. TAAFI 2016’s guests include animator Eric Goldberg (Disney’s Aladdin, Pocahontas), creative director Michael Rianda (Gravity Falls), award-winning animator Michel Gagné (Ratatouille), director Audu Paden (Animaniacs), filmmaker Marv Newland (Bambi Meets Godzilla) and Hanna-Barbera’s “Three Tooners” (Tony Benedict, Willie Ito and Jerry Eisenberg).
From April 23rd to 24th, TAAFI’s Animation Arts Maarket will return to George Brown College's Waterfront Campus. The Maarket is a showcase and networking platform for animation studios, software developers, retailers, schools, industry organizations and guest speakers. Featuring over 30 exhibitors, the Maarket has been known to attract more than 1,000 animation arts students and professionals from across Canada.
Saturday night’s festivities will also include the Nelvana Bouncing Ball. Festival pass-holders can attend the largest annual gathering of Toronto’s animation industry and community at Corus Quay. Various “Early Bird” passes for the festival are now on sale.
TAAFI 2016 Event Details:
- Friday, April 22
- Workshops Day One
(Three Tooners, Michel Gagné, Michael Rianda) - Festival Opening Night Feature Premiere
- Workshops Day One
- Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24
- Animation Arts Maarket (9am - 5pm and 10am - 5pm)
- Keynotes, Panels, Studio behind-the-scenes
- Shorts and Feature Screenings
- Nelvana Bouncing Ball party (Saturday 8:30pm)
- Monday, April 25
- Workshops Day Two (Eric Goldberg, Richard Arroyo and a third special guest instructor!)
More details on TAAFI Pass perks and combo deals as well as registration for the free Animation market can be found on the TAAFI website.
Source: Toronto Animation Arts Festival International
