NW Animation Fest 2013

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Special Events

Each night of NW Animation Fest ends with a special late-night event. This year we’ve collaborated with local groups to also bring you several additional animation events, both before and after the festival weekend.


May 10 – Friday
Kill All Festivals
7-10pm | The White Box | 24 NW 1st Ave | FREE

An exciting mashup of screenings and live performances previewing four upcoming events:


May 11 – Saturday
Michel Gagné: An Insanely Twisted Animation Saga
1-4pm | Art Institute of Portland | 1122 NW Davis St. |
$7 suggested donation

Michel Gagné — award-winning animator, comic artist, and game designer — gives a special presentation about his life in the pop-culture art world. Discussion will cover his creative process, work on the popular video game Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, and clips from his forthcoming animated film, The Saga of Rex. Presented by ASIFA-Portland and the Art Institute’s Inkwell Animation Club, supported by NW Animation Fest and others.

Donations will help support a new stop-motion film being created by a team of 20 Art Institute students. Get a sneak peek during the event!

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May 16 – Thursday
Harry Smith In The Pacific Northwest
3-5pm | Hollywood Theatre | 4122 NE Sandy Blvd | FREE

Oregon-born Harry Smith was a pioneering beatnik genius who made experimental animation and was responsible for creating America’s single most important collection of folk music recordings. A panel discussion presented by Oregon Cartoon Institute in partnership with NW Animation Fest and the Hollywood Theatre.

Harry Smith Seance
7pm | Hollywood Theatre | 4122 NE Sandy Blvd | price TBA

Oregon Cartoon Institute presents an evening of films by Oregon-born animator Harry Smith. Film archivist Dennis Nyback will recreate Harry’s live projection techniques, using multiple projectors to alter, color and shape the moving image. Musical accompaniment by Matt Carlson and Jordan Dykstra. Sound design by Andrew Ritchey. Rani Singh, the director of the Harry Smith Archives at the Getty Institute, will introduce. Sheldon Renan and Darrin Daniel will join Rani onstage afterwards and take questions.

“I like my films because I didn’t make them: God made them.” —Harry Smith


May 17 – Friday
NW Animation Fest: Drink & Draw Party + “Susco & Finka vs. Undead”
11:30pm | Tony Starlight’s Supperclub-Lounge |
3728 NE Sandy Blvd | FREE

Have a drink, then try making animation yourself. Attendees are provided with sharpie markers and lightboxes. Make twelve drawings, then pass them on to the next person. At the end of the night, all of the drawings are assembled… And we’ll have made a hilarious, chaotic short film together. Hosted by ASIFA-Portland, a chapter of the International Animation Society.

Meanwhile, we’ll also be screening Susco & Finka vs. Undead — a rough-hewn yet astonishing 30-minute claymation vampire-action film from Russia that transcends its flaws through sheer enthusiasm and achieves a sort of genius.


May 18 – Saturday
NW Animation Fest: New Key of the Ancient Light
11:30pm | Tony Starlight’s Supperclub-Lounge |
3728 NE Sandy Blvd | FREE

Animator/pianist Patrick Coan has created an innovative performance that blends live music, animation and video game technology. Projected imagery accompanies improvised melodies and explores the origin story of the Ancient Light. Audience members are invited to direct elements of the animation in real time, using customized game controllers.


May 19 – Sunday
NW Animation Fest: Meet the Animators
12:15noon | Hollywood Theatre | 4122 NE Sandy Blvd | (included with afternoon ticket)

Arrive early on Sunday for a live interview with some of the filmmakers in this year’s festival. “What keeps you inspired as an artist? What unusual tricks went into making your film? What advice do you have for aspiring animators?” …Bring questions of your own for an open Q&A at the end.


NW Animation Fest: After-Party
11pm | Moon and Sixpence | 2014 NE 42nd Ave | FREE

After the last film has screened, gather for an informal post-festival party at the Moon & Sixpence. It’s lively a British-style pub with some of the best Cornish pasties we’ve tasted.


May 20 – Monday, 8pm
Bloodbath & Beyond: The Little Shop of Animated Horrors
8pm | Valentine’s | 232 SW Ankeny St. | FREE

The Seattle Experimental Animation Team presents a special one-night-only video installation. Valentine’s will be sparkling with multiple projections on windows, walls and a Flying Cinema Kite. Videos include recent animated shorts and an “exquisite corpse” film that was collectively created by eight Seattle animators based on the 1960 cult classic, The Little Shop of Horrors. Co-hosted by NW Animation Fest and Experimental Film Festival Portland.


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