Animix 11, the International Animation, Comics and Caricature Festival, will take place from August 16 – 20, 2011 at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. A carnival of films, workshops, exhibits and all around fun – for artists, children and everyone – it’s one of summer’s great pleasures in Tel Aviv.
Special guests of the festival include French cartoonist Plantu (Jean Plantureux), Denis Walgenwitz, President of AFCA (Association Française du Cinéma d’Animation), Palestinian cartoonist Baha Boukhari, and American cartoonist Joe Kubert. Kubert and his son Adam are in Israel as guests of the Israeli Museum of Comics and Caricature, where “Heroes” a comprehensive exhibition of Joe Kubert’s work, along with that of his sons Adam and Andy, will be on display from August 18, 2011 – January 21, 2012. Kubert’s visit is sponsored by the United States Embassy in Israel and Mishkenot Sha’ananim, Jerusalem.
The celebrations will begin with Asif 2011 – Israeli animation awards ceremony on August 16, 2011. The ceremony will be accompanied by screenings of films by Israeli animators and animation students. It’s an excellent opportunity to see the amazing range of Israeli animation.
Animator Noam Meshulam will be honored by the festival. Animator, producer, director and teacher, Meshulam works in a studio in Jaffa on projects from ads to art, and even Israeli Sesame Street. The festival will include two programs with Meshulam in which he will talk about the trajectory of his career as an animator, presenting significant projects, challenges, and his artistic perspective.
Animators Yuval and Merav Nathan will receive the Gross Prize for Excellence in Animation, donated by Yoram and Sandra Gross. The prize, now in its third year, is intended to encourage creative work in the field of animation and nurture Israeli animation. This year’s prize committee members are: Dudu Shalita, Noam Meshulam and Avi Ofer. One of their recent projects is a mesmerizing stop-animation video for the song Lose This Child by Eatliz. The video interprets the lyric voice of the individual into a reflection on our place and role in the environment. The fragility of existence translated into images, it sounds a warning and a message of hope in the power of art to transcend and transform reality.
Animix Highlights:
Plantu will take part in two programs: a talk on his work, with an emphasis on the revolutions taking place in the Arab world, and a panel discussion together with Michel Kichka and Baha Boukhari. The three are all members of Cartooning for Peace and will discuss building bridges and dialogue in the Middle East through cartoons. An exhibit of Plantu’s work, “Roar of the Mouse” will be on display during the festival, and Michel Kichka will lecture on Plantu.
For a mind-expanding experience, Danny Robas will sing Pink Floyd’s The Wall accompanied by Gerald Scarfe’s animation.
WE DON’T NEED NO EDUCATION…but for those who want to continue to expand their minds, Animix has collaborated with the Weizmann Institute to create a program on science as presented in animated films. Scientific ideas presented in animation do not always accurately reflect the principles of science. In this program, selections from animated films that related to science will be shown accompanied by a senior scientist from the Weizmann Institute who will present the scientific perspective – disproving, strengthening or correcting the artistic perspective on science as presented in the films.
An exhibit of caricatures dedicated to David Ben Gurion.
Screenings of Oscar-worthy animation, including Andrew Ruheman and Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing.
French Focus – a series of events including the opening event devoted to French animation. Actor/singer Beni Porat will sing Jacques Brel, George Bressons and other greats, accompanied by animated interpretations to the songs.
Denis Walgenwitz will present two talks: the history of French art animation and French animation today.
Student Demonstration, a program sponsored by the Forum des Images with screenings of student films from the best animation schools in France.
A selection of films on death…not that we’re morbid or anything…with Smith & Foulkes fantastic This Way Up.
Films on the topic of relationships, including Daniel Greaves wonderful “Speechless.”
Films by women, including Ruth Lingford’s Little Deaths, animation combined with recorded interviews of people describing the experience of orgasm.
A special program on documentary animation moderated by Dudu Shalita.
Lots and lots of programs for kids, including hands-on workshops. The Animix website and full program will be online in early August.
Artistic director of the festival is Nissim (Nusko) Hezkiyahu, the Animation curator is Dudu Shalita, and Galit Bersky is the producer. The festival is a joint project of the Tel Aviv Municipality Department of Performances and the Tel Aviv Cinemathque, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture Israeli Film Council.
There is a 25% discount for tickets purchased between August 5 – 15, 2011. Ticket prices during the festival will be 25 – 42 NIS, depending on the event. To order, call: 03-6060800, ext. 0.
