Ottawa International Animation Film Festival

The ByTowne Cinema is one of the host venues for the first three days of the five-day Ottawa International Animation Festival, one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world. ByTowne screenings only are listed below, or you can find out about the entire festival by surfing to www.animationfestival.ca.

Admission for OIAF Screenings is $12 General, $7 for bytowne members

Short Film Competition Screenings

The best new animation from around the world featuring short films, music videos, commercials, TV work, student films and more, selected from 2377 entries the Festival received this year. Passholders have priority seating at Gala screenings (jury and filmmakers in attendance), but there are tickets on sale at the door 15 min. before showtime. At regular screenings, tickets are on sale 30 min. before showtime.

There are five different programmes in all, of which the ByTowne will be screening the following four; each is approximately 90 min. and all contain material that is best suited to mature audiences.

Short Competition 1    
(Gala, Passholder Priority) Sept. 19, 21h15
Highlights include the return of Glebe student David Borish with Paper Man 2, the wickedly funny Pythagasaurus from Aardman Animation, and new films from animation vets Paul Bush, Run Wrake and Skip Battaglia.

Short Competition 2   
(Gala, Passholder Priority) Sept. 20, 21h15
Features The Banker from the always controversial Phil Mulloy, Nightingales in December by Theodore Ushev (Lipsett Diaries), and The Monster of Nix, an ambitious new work from acclaimed Dutch animator, Rosto.

Short Competition 4   
Sept. 21, 10h00
Features mind blowing abstract works Choros (Michael Langan), Dreams from famed Japanese artist Keiichi Tanaami, as well as Thunder River from Canada’s Pierre Hébert and Plume by Oscar nominee Barry Purves.

Short Competition 5   
Sept. 20, 13h00
Features Don Hertzfeldts’s brilliant It’s Such A Beautiful Day, 2012 Oscar nominee A Morning Stroll, along with another inventive dish of object animation from PES and the gritty NFB short, Paula.

Other screenings

International Showcase  (Non-competition)
Sept. 20, 15h00
A non-competitive showcase of new animation from around the world, featuring Disney’s latest Paper Man, along with Dustin Ree’s Borderline and Daniel Sousa’s powerful Feral.
(approx. 90 min. For mature audiences.)
features

Arrugas (Wrinkles)
Sept. 19, 19h00
d. Ignacio Ferreras
Based on Paco Roca’s award-winning comic book, this moving tale follows the friendship between Emilio and Miguel, two aged gentlemen shut away in a nursing home. Emilio, who is new to the home and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, is aided by Miguel and other residents. Without their help, he would end up on the dreaded top floor of the home, known to residents as the ‘lost causes’ floor. Their wild plan infuses their otherwise tedious day-to-day routine with humour, adventure and tenderness. Others might see their lives as ending, but for Emilio and Miguel, life is just beginning.
(89 min., Spain 2011. In Spanish with English subtitles. Rated 14A; Mature.)

Fritz The Cat
Sept. 20, 11h00
d. Ralph Bakshi
RALPH BAKSHI WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE
The infamous feature that made Bakshi’s reputation was the first animated film to receive an "X" rating. Based on R. Crumb's underground comic character, Fritz is a college-age feline wandering the hippie-era streets of New York in search of political, sexual, and chemical experiences.
(78 min., U.S. 1972. Rated X, of course.)

Hotel Transylvania
Sept. 20, 18h15
d. Genndy Tartakovsky
Q & A after the show with director Genndy Tartakovsky!
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter. Stars the voices of Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Andy Samberg.
(90 min., U.S. 2012. Suitable for all ages.)