25 October – 4 November
London International Animation Festival is back in London at its 9th edition with an exciting collection of animated films from around the world. The LIAF is the UK’s largest festival of its kind with almost 300 films from 30 different countries. The programme will feature several British premieres alongside a selection of exciting events.
The festival opens on 25 October with For No Good Reason, a film that explores the connection between life and art through the eyes of iconic artist Ralph Steadman who will be attending for a post-screening discussion along with Charlie Paul (director) and Kevin Richards (animation director).
Director Charlie Paul has spent 15 years meticulously amassing the footage and, for the first time, creating remarkable animations to match the same anarchic energy, anger and free spirit of Steadman’s pictures. It is a richly creative, visual feast of a film about the power and importance of art. Produced by Itch Film with Rushes providing Post Production.
The festival will also be home to a variety of ScreenTalks and special presentations including a 2-day industry event in which topics such as The Future of Animation in the UK and The Art of Animated Film Titles will be explored. There are also several programmes and hands on workshops especially for children including the one in which BAFTA award-winning Kevin Griffiths will guide the audience in making a short-animated sequence.
Among the many other highlights are the unscreened pilot films of the iconic Klasky Csupo Studios (who made the original Simpsons shorts, Rugrats and Duckman); a look at the Japanese animation scene including a masterclass with animator Koji Yamamura; and from the Czech Republic music video director Tomás Lumák will present his brilliant rotoscoped feature film debut Alois Nebel.
Alongside with the main International programme there will be an overview of Lithuanian animation spanning almost 100 years. The retrospective put together by animation historian Dasa Vanova features puppet, hand-drawn, cutout, shadow theatre techniques and computer generated films and a very dark streak of humour that runs throughout.
The LIAF is also launching its first ever Flipbook Challenge and is now accepting entries. The flipbooks will be displayed throughout the festival and the favourites will be filmed in animated action, then uploaded to social media sites. The competition is open to all and a special Flipbook Workshop will take place on Sat 27th September providing tips, techniques and of course, inspiration.
Best of the Fest programme (4th of November) will showcase a collection of the greatest films from LIAF chosen by judging panels and audience votes. Awards are given for the best film in each session, ‘Best British Film’ and the overall ‘Best Of The Festival’.
For 11 days the Barbican will host the London International Animation Festival in Cinemas 2&3.
Tickets and programme information: www.barbican.org.uk/film
Full programme is available at www.liaf.org.uk
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