The ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS returns to theaters across North America and will open at the Quad Cinema in New York on December 29th (with many other cities to follow), presenting 16 exceptional and inspiring animated shorts from around the world.
“Because animation is such a natural medium for dealing with abstract ideas and existential concerns, the ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS has always included a number of thoughtful and engaging films,” says founder and curator Ron Diamond. “However, more than in previous years, I believe that this year’s program really offers contemporary animation that expresses deeply felt issues in our own country and around the world.”
These films include Niki Lindroth von Bahr’s Annecy Grand Prix-winning “The Burden,” a melancholy, funny and moving film that explores the tribulations, hopes and dreams of a group of night-shift employees, uniquely capturing the zeitgeist of our time. At the other end of the spectrum, David OReilly’s playful and profound “Everything,” based on the work of the late philosopher Alan Watts, explores the interconnectedness of the universe and the multiplicity of perspectives that underlie reality.
Perhaps the most relevant film in the show is a 50-year-old short that was restored by The ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS with grants from ASIFA-Hollywood and The National Film Preservation Foundation. “Hangman,” by Paul Julian and Les Goldman, and based on a poem by Maurice Ogden, explores themes of injustice and personal responsibility in its tale of a town whose residents, afraid to speak up, are methodically executed by the title character.
Other program highlights include “Dear Basketball,” Disney veteran Glen Keane’s animation of a poem by Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, written on the occasion of his imminent retirement; Academy Award-winning Pixar director Pete Docter’s 1990 CalArts student film “Next Door”; and “Casino,” the latest film from director Steven Woloshen, who, for some 30 years, has been creating award-winning experimental films by drawing directly on film stock.
The 19th ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS represents the work of artists from eight countries, including nine women.
16 animated short films presented in order of appearance – Total Running Time: 93 minutes
Can You Do It – Quentin Baillieux, France
Tiny Big – Lia Bertels, Belgium
Next Door – Pete Docter, U.S.
The Alan Dimension – Jac Clinch, UK
Beautiful Like Elsewhere – Elise Simard, Canada
Hangman – Paul Julian and Les Goldman, U.S.
The Battle of San Romano – Georges Schwizgebel, Switzerland
Gokurosama – Clémentine Frère, Aurore Gal, Yukiko Meignien, Anna Mertz, Robin Migliorelli, Romain Salvini, France
Dear Basketball – Glen Keane, U.S.
Island – Max Mörtl and Robert Löbel, Germany
Unsatisfying – Parallel Studio, France
My Burden – Niki Lindroth von Bahr, Sweden
Les Abeilles Domestiques (Domestic Bees) Alexanne Desrosiers, Canada
Our Wonderful Nature: The Common Chameleon – Tomer Eshed, Germany
Casino – Steven Woloshen, Canada
Everything – David OReilly, U.S