Edinburgh International Film Festival Announces 2016 Animation Focus
Skwigly
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) today revealed details of the much-anticipated Animation programme scheduled to take place as part of next month’s landmark 70th edition with a number of acclaimed shorts set to screen between 21st and 24th June. The strand will be anchored by the first major retrospective of Scottish-based animation duo Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson, in celebration of their meteoric rise since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art five years ago.
Taking place on Friday 24th June, FIVE ANIMATED YEARS OF WILL ANDERSON AND AINSLIE HENDERSON pays tribute to Scotland’s most dynamic animation double-act. Making an instant impression on the international festival circuit the pair’s graduate films amassed over 60 awards between them, including: the BAFTA for Best British Animation in 2013, a Cartoon D’or nomination and a number of BAFTA nominations. Each has been presented with EIFF’s prestigious McLaren Award for Best British Animation which will uncover its 27th recipient at this year’s EIFF public screenings.
Amongst the films competing for The McLaren Award for Best British Animation, supported by the British Council, this year are Simon Tofield’s SIMON’S CAT – OFF TO THE VET and the latest offerings from internationally-renowned Nexus Productions: RAIN OR SHINE by Felix Massie and TO BUILD A FIRE by FX Goby. A number of films from the ever-excellent National Film and Television School and Royal College of Art, in addition to strong representation from Edinburgh College of Art’s Animation degree course, will vie for the audience’s affections, alongside Shakespeare-inspired offerings and the latest Scottish Shorts produced via the Scottish Film Talent Network.
Simon’s Cat
International Animation returns with an eclectic mix from several different countries and provides audiences with the International Premiere of Estonian animator Ülo Pikkov’s latest work EMPTY SPACE. Igor Kovalyov’s BEFORE LOVE, which won the narrative Grand Prix at the Holland Animation Festival, will also screen alongside acclaimed Canadian director Franck Dion’s latest short THE HEAD VANISHES and the powerful PERIPHERIA by David Coquard-Dassault from France.
New talent is featured across all three short animation programmes, including Hanka Nováková from Czech Republic, Dominica Harrison, Robert Duncan and Muqing Shu from Edinburgh College of Art.
Previous McLaren Award winner Pearly Oyster productions premiere their new film by Emma Calder and Ged Haney ROGER BALLEN’S THEATRE OF APPARITIONS. The NFTS have been behind many McLaren winning films as well, with this year seeing entries from Adrienne Dowling, Terri Matthews, Jac Clinch, Kat Michaelides and Anushka Naanayakkara.
The Scottish Film Talent Network (SFTN) films in competition for the McLaren are created by Garry J Marshall, Chris Watson and Cat Bruce.
Animation Programmer Iain Gardner said:
“I’m delighted with the strong presence of short animated films at the 70th edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and in particular, within this auspicious occasion, to celebrate the incredible achievements of Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson. I look forward to welcoming them on-stage at Filmhouse 1, where many of their films had their first ever public screening! As ever it’s been an absolute privilege to compile these programmes and I hope that our audiences enjoy the diverse selections we have made.”
To hear more from Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson you can listen to our EIFF podcast minisode: