The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) has announced the films competing in the Feature Film Category. This year’s OIAF runs September 17-21.
“This year’s feature film competitors,” said Chris Robinson, OIAF artistic director, “are among the most diverse we’ve ever had in competition. Using an array of animation techniques (drawn, paint, puppet), the films address sensitive and mature topics (political oppression, wrongful prosecution, environment, love and loneliness) in highly original, engaging and sometimes hilarious and absurd ways.”
Two animated documentaries highlight the competition: Seth’s Dominion (Luc Chamberlain, Canada) and Truth Has Fallen (Sheila Sofian, USA). Seth’s Dominion is a nostalgic and inspiring look at the life of cartoonist Seth. Truth has Fallen uses both live action and animation to tell the story of three people wrongly accused of murder.
Tante Hilda (Aunt Hilda) from Jacques-Remy Girerd & Benoît Chieux, France, is a complex, challenging, yet fun film geared to both adults and kids. For those who like surreal, dark musicals animated with fruit, there’s Lisa Limone ja Maroc Orange: tormakas armulugu (Lisa Limone and Maroc Orange: a Rapid Love Story) from Mait Laas of Estonia. Rounding out the selections is Até que a Sbórnia nos separe (Until Sbornia do us part) from Otto Guerra & Ennio Torresan Jr., Brazil. Based on the long running musical Tangos & Tragedies, the film examines corporate dominance and environmental issues through the story of Sbornia, an eccentric and poetic country which is introduced to the modern world when a wall collapses.
The OIAF is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF draws some 28,000 artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world.
