Toons Take Bite Out of Big Apple

That has brought us to today, where eighty-eight short films played for four days, sometimes with a local rock band opening for the screening, and always followed by refreshments at a local bar. This year met with special awards for “Hedgehug” by U-Arts student Dan Pinto, the eclectic “When I Grow Up” by Michelle Meeker, “Zoologic” by Calarts student Nicole Mitchell, the catchy music video “Me-I” by Mixtape Club and Daniel Garcia, “A Faery’s Tale” by CG animator and SVA student Sylvia Apostol, the short-and-sweet “Legend of Cranky Verne” by Laika, the narrative “How She Slept at Night” by Lilli Carre, the experimental “Phantom Canyon” by Stacey Steers and the audience favorite, “Snake,” by Becky James. The coveted Best in Show prize was awarded to Vladimir Lesciov for the enchanting “Lost in Snow.” The jurors consisted of local animation professionals.  

Who better to garner such publicity on Safron’s behalf than the new folks breaking into the biz? “We’re about finding the new talent, the next people, he people who have something new and fresh to say. And obviously we’re mixing that in with the old-school masters that have been doing this for years.” Adds Safron, “as people have latched on to the festival, it’s grown in different ways. We put all our energy into this one great event and really making it as great as it could be.”

Further information, including a complete film list and DVD’s, can be found on www.animationblock.com