The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has announced the return of SCAD AnimationFest, running September 28-30. The three-day festival will be the first held at SCAD’s new state-of-the-art 700-seat theater, SCADshow, in Atlanta.
The digital media festival hosts sessions with executives and creatives from Netflix; Gearbox; Cartoon Network Studios; FOX; Viva Kids; Animal Repair Shop; Crafty Apes; Artie; and FuseFX, as well as SCAD faculty and alumni who are at the forefront of animation, motion media design and visual effects. This year, SCAD AnimationFest’s program expands to include gaming and virtual production.
“As the nation’s biggest and best festival celebrating student animators and industry trends, SCAD AnimationFest shines in three-dimensional wonder—especially true this year, as SCAD unveils our state-of-the-art, 700-seat theater in the heart of Midtown,” said SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. “This screen is as colossal as SCAD’s student talent. It’s the perfect stage for the world premiere of The Last Dungeon, the latest triumph from SCAD Animation Studios, and a collaborative marvel from more than forty SCAD Bees. Truly a masterpiece in motion!”
SCADFILM’s 2023 “Spotlight Award” recognizes Adam Muto as this year’s recipient for his innovative contributions to the animation and entertainment industries. Muto’s award will be presented Friday, September 29, at a special screening of his new Max series Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, followed by a Q&A where he’ll share insights about his journey in animation.
Keynote speaker, DNEG global head of character animation Theodore “Ted” Ty, will be honored at this year’s festival for “Outstanding Achievement in Animation” and will present a behind-the-scenes look at the popular Netflix movie Nimona, based on the popular 2015 graphic novel by ND Stevenson.
On Saturday night, September 30, FOX Entertainment is hosting an exclusive preview screening of the all-new animated comedy Krapopolis from the Emmy Award-winning creator and executive producer Dan Harmon. Production team members will be on hand to share a behind-the-scenes look at the series.
Other sessions will feature work from students and faculty, including a preview of the new animated film Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, followed by a Q&A with producer and SCAD film professor Jason Kaminsky and screenwriter Rocco Pucillo.
The popular Saturday Morning Cartoons session returns this year featuring Vooks Storytime animated stories and Tab Time episodes.
The Last Dungeon, from SCAD Animation Studios, will hold its premiere screening during the festival – SCAD’s first collaborative student animated film created using Unreal Engine. Students from various degree programs worked together on the production, including animation, visual effects, acting, and sound design.
“This year, SCAD AnimationFest explores how technology is evolving beyond traditional definitions of animation to develop new and innovative transmedia storytelling,” added Leigh Seaman, senior executive director of SCADFILM. “As a top-ranked program in animation, interactive design and game development, visual effects, motion media, illustration, and more, SCAD is uniquely qualified to host the best in the industry as presenters and mentors.”
SCAD AnimationFest conversations, presentations, and panels:
- Keynote “Constructing a Career in Transmedia” by Aaron Deerfield, lead cinematics animator at Gearbox.
- Panel Discussion: “Transforming the Peach State” with FuseFX
- Industry Insights: Georgia’s Digital Boom
- Innovating Game Night with Infinite Rabbit Holes
- Panel Discussion: “Embrace the Rush: The Power of Emerging Tech”
SCAD students, faculty, and alumni sessions and screenings including:
- SCAD Alumni Voices
- SCAD Animation Studios presents The Making of The Last Dungeon
- SCAD Student Film Spotlight: The Making of Vainglorious
- “Find Yourself On the Green: An Immersive Public Art Space” with SCADpro
- SCAD Student Animation Showcase
SCAD AnimationFest passes go on sale Thursday, August 31, 2023. Additional information is available here.
Source: Savannah College of Art and Design
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.