OIAF(Ottawa International Animation Festival) is one of the biggest animation festivals held in North America. OIAF was founded in the year 1976 to serve as a common floor for animation artists to showcase their creativity. In 1976, only 400 films sent their entries and winners were announced based on the best feature animated film. The scene has drastically changed over a period of many years and there are more than 30,000 attendees and many film entries, which makes it equally tough to select the award winners.
This year, OIAF turns 40 and it is open for entries to its annual festival which will be held on Sept 21-25th 2016. The important feature of this festival are the screenings of the animated films from around the world. This year they have received 2,311 entries, out of which 111 finalists were selected for the competition and 49 additional films will be screened separately in Panaroma, which are not part of the competition. Here is the schedule for the OIAF
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 & TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
9:00am-9:00pm
Pass Pick Up - Arts Court Office
DAY 1- WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
8:30am-5:30pm
TAC: The Animation Conference (TAC Pass Only)
9:30 am & 11:00am (2 sessions)
Animation Celebration (free event for elementary school students. Pre-register 613.232.8769)
7:00 pm
Screening/Talk - TBD
9:15 pm
Short Competition 1 (GALA) & Opening Ceremonies
11:00 pm
Opening Night Party (passholders only) - TBD
DAY 2 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
8:30 am- 5:30pm
TAC: The Animation Conference (TAC Pass Only)
11:00am- 9:00pm
Various Screenings - Various Venues
11:00 pm
Salon des refuses (pass holders only)
DAY 3 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
8:30am-12:00pm
TAC: The Animation Conference (TAC pass only)
9:30am-2:30pm
Toon Apprentice Day for Teens. Free school presentation (Pre-register 613-232-8769)
10:00am- 9:15pm
Various Screening & Special Presentations - Various Venues
12:00pm-4:00pm
Animator’s Picnic (passholders only)
11:00pm
Student Party (pass holder only)
DAY 4 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
9:00 am
Professional Development Day & Animation Career Day - St. Brigid's
10:00am- 11:00pm
Various Screenings & Talks with Industry Professionals - Various Venues
7:00pm
Awards Presentation - St. Brigid's
8:00pm
40th Annniversary Celebration Event TBA
DAY 5 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
9:00am- 9:00pm
Various Screenings & Talk with Industry Professionals - Various Venues
9:00 pm
Closing Night Party (passholders only) - TBD
OIAF competition includes categories for narrative, experimental, student, commissioned and feature animation. There is also a separate competition for films and TV shows made for children. Prizes will be awarded to category winners along with Grand Prizes for Independent Short Animation and Feature Animation.
During the Festival, three official juries sit with the audience and judge the short, feature and children’s competition screenings. The Short and Feature jury members are chosen from the international animation community. The children’s jury is comprised of Ottawa-area children. Jury decisions are announced during the OIAF’s awards ceremony on the Saturday evening of each festival. A screening of a selection of award-winning films follows on the festival’s closing night.
At their discretion, the International Juries may also award additional special prizes. The Juries have the right to withhold an award where no entry, in its view, meets the standards for recognition.
Checkout their website on how to get a pass for the animation Festival. Their after parties are one of the best in country and one definitely needs a pass for it.:
www.animationfestival.ca/
Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/OIAF_Animation
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OttawaAnimationFestival
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ottawa.animationfestival/
Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ottawa-international-animation-festival
Watch some of the video trailers here
https://www.youtube.com/user/OttawaAnimationFest
25 Animation Movies being released in 2016 - Animated Movie List
Top Animation Festivals and Animation Contests- Upcoming 2D 3D festivals