CalAnifest - California International Animation Festival
Circa 2006 -2011

This was the official website for CalAnifest - California International Animation Festival.
Content is from the site's 2006 -2011 archived pages as well as from other outside sources.
2011 appears to be its last year.
Thank you Dr. George A. Baker for this festival.

~~~

California International Animation Festival
PO Box 580450
Modesto
CA 95358
USA

The old adage that "change is inevitable" is a message oft repeated, rephrased and expanded, from the ancient philosopher Heraclitus to the Terminator movies. The only question is how rapidly the change will occur. It is said that there has been more technological advancement in the last 50 years than in the entire history of man, and that the next 10 years will see more than in the last 50.

We are in the midst of change so rapid that we can hold in one hand computers with more capability than those that put man on the moon. We can recall when the thought of filling a 200 megabyte hard drive was a dream, and now less than a 200 gigabyte seems too small.

We see films boasting casts of thousands from the past being equaled in grandeur by movies with casts of dozens and computer generated images of thousands. Information has progressed from the carrier pigeon and the pony express to the instant message. By the time the idea gets from mind to paper, it is safe to assume that someone else has had the same thought.

For the pioneers and visionaries among us, dynamic participation in the digital revolution is as inevitable as it is exciting. Where once we had to concern ourselves only with the technology around the corner, our lives are clearly affected by technologies from around the world. There is an interaction between broadcasting, gaming, computers, even telephones which forces us to wonder what happens next. When the telephone has become a personal computer and entertainment center can the two way wrist TV/radio be far behind (or does it already exist, somewhere.) Content is no longer distinctly animation, games, or film. These media are blended together to create a seamless experience of entertainment. The future of content is limited only by the imagination, and the yet unimagined.

Our purpose is twofold: first, to encourage and nurture the innovation necessary to the merging of animation, gaming and film, and second, to honor the industry veterans who cut their way through the jungles creating pathways for those whose trails are leading to the stars. We salute both, the innovators of the past and the present, and aspire to discover those of the future. We pay homage to them all by providing a venue where the challenges and potential of such innovation can be explored as well as examined technically by industry professionals and as entertainment by fans.
Festival Director: Dr. George A. Baker

About The Festival

The California International Animation Festival is dedicated to a recognition that animation, gaming and film making are not separate businesses, but fingers on the same hand.

This event of screenings, forums and focused networking allows creative and executive entrepreneurs in the animation, electronic gaming and filmmaking industries to explore and exchange ideas on the themes, issues and trends driving converging media production.

As an international arts, entertainment, and educational organization, the Fireside Foundation, Inc., inspires young and emerging artists through exhibitions, as well as educational programs on an international level.

I came to this festival primarily as a parent, not quite knowing what to expect. I’m a trucking accident litigator in Texas, and my son entered a short documentary that looks critically at a side of my work most people only encounter through headlines or court filings. Sitting in the audience, I felt a mix of pride and nerves seeing such a familiar subject reframed through his eyes.

What stood out to me about this festival was how seriously the judges and audience engaged with difficult material. My son’s film didn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, and the thoughtful questions and feedback he received made the experience incredibly rewarding for him. The honorable mention and the praise from the judges meant a great deal—not just as recognition, but as encouragement that his voice matters.

As someone who spends most days in a very different professional world, I appreciated the respect shown here for stories that challenge, provoke, and inform. I’m grateful this festival created a space where emerging filmmakers could explore real-world issues with honesty and care, and where a young filmmaker could walk away feeling seen and supported. Martin David-Sloane

2011 Festival

The California International Animation Festival is dedicated to a recognition that animation, gaming and filmmaking are not separate businesses, but fingers on the same hand.

The California International Animation Festival will be held at the Galaxy 12 Theatres in Riverbank, CA. Known as the City of Action, the "Powers that Be" in Riverbank heard of our plight (after the venue in Stockton cancelled our contract) and offered CalAniFest a home.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CALANIFEST 2011 FILMS.

CalAniFest 2011 will be held from June 1 through June 30, 2011. Programming will be seen by an audience of up to 1.5 million people in the central valley of California through Broadcast and Charter cable 14 and Comcast 195 on KAZV-TV. We are also negotiating for a live location for live audience presentation.

Watch for the announcement of CalAniFest 2012.

Early entry deadline -- December 1, 2011

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Early Submission
December 1, 2010
Regular Submission
January 2, 2011
Late Submission
April 1, 2011

Call for Entries

The California International Animation Festival was created . . . well, because I like animation and I know that a lot of other people do as well. And we wanted to encourage people on the cutting edge of make films and to give them a venue to show them.

With the 2011 festival approaching, we are now accepting submissions for all categories.

Multiple category submissions are accepted, however a separate entry form is required, with separate entry fee, for each category. Multiple submissions are also accepted, however, again, each must be on a separate disk or tape and be accompanied by a separate entry form and fee.

WITHOUT THE PROPER PAPER WORK AS WELL AS ENTRANCE FEE YOUR FILM OR GAME CANNOT BE CONSIDERED FOR COMPETITION.

Categories

There will be 5 separately juried competitions in the 2011 California International Animation Festival, open to entries from anywhere in the world.

The juried competitions are as follows.

2D Animation - Short films - This category includes films of hand drawn animation with a running time UNDER 30 minutes.
">3D Animation - Short films - This category includes films of computer animation with a running time of 30 minutes or longer.
Anime - Films in the style of Japanese Animation, now popularly knowns as Anime. Length under 30 minutes.
Experimental or Other Animation - This category is designed for those films which do not specifically fit into one of the above categories. This will include such things as claymation, multi-media, live action/animation combination (animation must be at least 50% of the visual media), Etch-a-Sketch, etc.
Television programs, any length, any format, any genre. Identify your target audience to help with placement.

Selections

Independent selection committees screen all submissions, for both pre-selection and final selection. Selection committees are comprised of industry professionals such as directors, producers, agents, film company executives, animation professionals and advertising agency executives and animation and/or gaming fans depending on the category. Unlike many festivals, the California International Animation Festival seeks the opinions of the fans because, we believe, it is not enough to be technically perfect, the film must answer the question "will it play in Peoria.".

Eligibility and Rules

The competition is open to any production available for screening on DVD in NTSC Region 0 or Region 1 format.
All short films must be under 30 minutes. Feature films are 30 minutes in length or longer and may be considered only upon specific contact with festival director and written approval.
Preview copies are accepted (in the Animation categories) only on Region 0 or Region 1 DVD format.
All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
It is important that you fill out separate paper work for every entry that you submit.
Incomplete entry forms will not be accepted.
Entry forms with no payments will not be accepted unless submission is through the Without a box system and payment is made through that system.
Preview DVDs must be labeled with the title of the film or game, running time and contact information. DO NOT send film prints, master tapes or other originals.
Acceptance and non-acceptance letters will be sent electronically. Please provide a correct email address. All accepted entries in the U.S. and Canada will be notified personally by telephone. Please provide a correct telephone number.

How to Submit

Please include one entry form for each submission.

You must include a completed form and an entry fee to ensure that your entry will be accepted for preliminary screening. Please identify your DVD case with the the name of your film, the running time, your name and contact information.

Entries for films can only be submitted in DVD Region 0 or Region 1 NTSC format.

Rights

Should CalAniFest accept your submission, the producer grants to Fireside Foundation, Inc., and CalAniFest the right to use clips and stills (under 3 minutes or 10% of the total length of the film whichever is greater) for promotion and publicity purposes, as well as Foundation and Festival publications and website. All accepted films will be shown on local low power TV channel.

The submitter/Producer also grants to Fireside Foundation, Inc., and CalAniFest the right to use the submitted short films on the BEST OF disk for the festival, to be offered for sale at the close Festival, on the Festival website, and distributed at no cost to potential markets, agents and distributors for animated films.

The Producer warrants that they own or have cleared all the rights for their film, including music.

See Entry form for earlier deadlines and fees or withoutabox.com for additional entry deadlines and fees.

Entry fees can be paid by check, money order or credit card. Entry fees should be made payable to Tales by Firelight Productions are non-refundable.

Submit Your Entry

2006 | 2007 | 2008 Festival

The California International Animation Festival is dedicated to a recognition that animation, gaming and filmmaking are not separate businesses, but fingers on the same hand.

Festival Information

There will be 3 separately juried competitions in the 2006 California International Animation Festival, open to entries from anywhere in the world.

The juried competitions are as follows.

Animation - Shorts - all types of animation with running time under 30 minutes.
Animation - Features - all types of animation with running time 30 minutes or longer.
Video and Computer Games - all types of video or electronic games designed to be played on personal computer or commercially available equipment such as X-Box, Playstation or Game Cube.

Selections

The 'Game' category will be judged by individuals from the media and gaming community.

Awards

California International Animation Festival (CalAniFest) present awards in three categories: Animation Feature, Animation Short and Games..

The top four winners in each Animation category receive:
- Theatrical screening
- Animation Short winners will have the option for online streaming at www.calanifest.com.
- Animation Feature winners will have the option for assisted production and distribution on DVD, with sale and marketing available through the Fireside Foundation and affiliated websites..

CalAniFest’s “Best of. . “ DVD compilation featuring the Top 10 in the Animation Shorts category which will be available for purchase as well as distributed without cost to key industry professionals, studio executives and creative directors.

2007 Festival

NEW PRIZES TO BE AWARDED

DIGITAL HOTCAKES EFFECTS AWARD

One of the premier providers of visual effects backgrounds, Digital Hotcakes has provided a "Filmmakers" package valued at $798.00 for the best use of visual effects.

2006 Frequently Asked Questions

How do I attend the Festival?

In order stay up-to-date, subscribe to the CalAniFest mailing list and receive the most current information. on upcoming festival activities, newsletters, contests and special offers.

How can I submit an animated film or a game to the Festival?

Complete information on submission can be found by Clicking HERE.

When will the Festival be held?

the 2006 California International Animation Festival will be held on July 15, 2006.

When will the winners of the festival be announced?

The 2006 festival winners will be announced on July 15, 2006.

How can I receive press accreditation?

To attend the Festival as a member of the press, please visit the press room on our website.

How can I help with the festival?

The 2006 CalAniFest is looking for volunteers to help with this year's event. Please visit our Volunteer section of the website for more information.

What sponsorship opportunities are available for the festival?

For more information on Sponsorship Opportunities, Click Here or by phone at (209) 537-5221.

How can I promote my company or film at the festival?

Basic advertising information can be found by visiting our Advertising page. For more specific information, contact u by email at: advertising@CalAniFest.com or please call us at (209) 537-5221

More Background On CalAniFest.com

CalAniFest.com served as the official digital home of the California International Animation Festival, a multidisciplinary festival that emerged during a critical transitional period in animation, gaming, and digital filmmaking. Active primarily from the mid-2000s through the early 2010s, the website functioned not merely as an event portal, but as a public-facing manifesto for a belief that animation, games, and film were no longer separate industries. Instead, CalAniFest positioned these disciplines as interdependent creative languages evolving toward convergence.

At a time when online video platforms were still young and independent animators lacked today’s global distribution channels, CalAniFest.com provided visibility, legitimacy, and infrastructure for emerging creators working outside traditional studio systems. The site documented festival programming, submission processes, juried competitions, educational goals, and industry values, while also reflecting broader cultural shifts occurring across media production.

Although no longer active, CalAniFest.com remains historically significant as an example of early 21st-century digital arts advocacy and as a record of how animation festivals adapted to rapid technological change.

Ownership, Organizational Structure, and Leadership

The California International Animation Festival was founded and directed by Dr. George A. Baker, who served as festival director throughout the event’s documented lifespan. Organizationally, the festival operated in association with the Fireside Foundation, Inc., an arts and educational nonprofit with a stated mission of inspiring young and emerging artists through exhibitions, screenings, and educational initiatives.

CalAniFest.com clearly communicated this nonprofit alignment, emphasizing education, innovation, and access rather than commercial exclusivity. The festival’s leadership framed the event as both a professional gathering and a public service: a space where industry veterans, students, independent creators, and audiences could engage with emerging forms of storytelling shaped by digital technology.

The website also reflected a hands-on organizational model typical of mid-2000s independent festivals, where directors and small teams managed submissions, programming, partnerships, and outreach without the institutional backing of major studios or large sponsors.

Geographic Location and Regional Context

CalAniFest was based in California’s Central Valley, with administrative operations tied to Modesto, California. Festival screenings and events took place in nearby cities, including Riverbank, which hosted later editions of the festival at local multiplex venues.

This regional placement was significant. Unlike animation festivals centered in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or international hubs, CalAniFest intentionally operated outside traditional coastal creative capitals. This allowed it to serve artists and audiences often overlooked by larger industry-driven events, while still maintaining international reach through submissions and broadcast exposure.

The Central Valley location also shaped the festival’s community-oriented tone. CalAniFest emphasized accessibility, public engagement, and educational outreach, positioning itself as both a cultural event and a regional platform for global creative work.

History and Development of the Festival

The California International Animation Festival launched in the mid-2000s, coinciding with a period of dramatic transformation in digital media. Affordable animation software, expanding broadband access, and the early rise of online video distribution were reshaping who could make animated content and how it could be shared.

CalAniFest’s early editions focused on animation shorts, feature-length animation, and video or computer games. Over time, the festival expanded its categories to reflect changing creative practices, incorporating anime-influenced work, experimental animation, mixed-media projects, and games designed for personal computers and emerging mobile platforms.

By the late 2000s, CalAniFest programming explicitly addressed the convergence of animation, gaming, and film, emphasizing that these were not isolated art forms but interconnected disciplines shaped by shared tools, audiences, and storytelling techniques.

The final documented festival activities occurred in the early 2010s. While the festival did not publicly announce a formal closure, archived materials suggest that 2011 marked its last operational year.

Festival Goals and Philosophical Vision

CalAniFest articulated a clear philosophical mission rooted in technological and cultural change. Its stated goals included encouraging innovation at the intersection of animation, games, and film, while honoring industry veterans who had pioneered earlier forms of animated storytelling.

Rather than framing animation purely as entertainment, the festival positioned it as a dynamic language capable of addressing complex ideas, social issues, and experimental aesthetics. CalAniFest sought to create a venue where technical challenges, creative risks, and cultural implications could be examined by both professionals and general audiences.

This dual focus on technical rigor and audience engagement distinguished CalAniFest from festivals that prioritized either industry networking or fan culture alone.

Competitions, Categories, and Programming

CalAniFest featured multiple juried competitions, with categories evolving over time to reflect changes in production tools and storytelling formats. Core categories included 2D animation, 3D animation, anime-style animation, experimental or mixed-media animation, and games.

Projects ranged from short-form works to feature-length productions, with special consideration given to longer works through direct communication with festival leadership. Games were evaluated not simply as technical achievements but as creative expressions within a broader ecosystem of animated and interactive media.

The festival appointed independent selection committees composed of industry professionals, reinforcing its commitment to professional standards while remaining accessible to independent creators.

Awards, Recognition, and Opportunities

Awards at the California International Animation Festival were designed to provide tangible benefits beyond trophies. Winning projects received opportunities for theatrical screenings, broadcast exposure, and inclusion in curated compilations distributed to industry professionals.

In some years, winners were offered assistance with DVD production and distribution through affiliated organizations. The festival also partnered with technology providers to offer software or production tools as prizes.

These awards functioned as career-building mechanisms, particularly for emerging artists seeking visibility in a rapidly changing creative landscape.

Audience, Participation, and Community Engagement

CalAniFest addressed a diverse audience that included animation professionals, students, independent filmmakers, gamers, educators, and general audiences with an interest in digital storytelling. Programming was designed to be accessible and engaging for both specialists and non-specialists.

The festival acknowledged that technical perfection alone was insufficient, emphasizing the importance of audience connection and emotional resonance.

This philosophy fostered an environment where emerging creators could receive thoughtful feedback and encouragement.

Press, Media Coverage, and Public Visibility

While CalAniFest did not receive the same level of mainstream coverage as major international festivals, it achieved visibility through regional press, industry publications, and local broadcast partnerships. In some years, programming was distributed via local television channels.

CalAniFest.com served as a central archive for press information, submission guidelines, schedules, and festival philosophy.

Cultural and Social Significance

CalAniFest’s cultural significance lies in its timing and perspective. The festival emerged as boundaries between media forms were dissolving, yet institutional recognition for hybrid works lagged behind technological realities.

By embracing convergence, CalAniFest validated creators working between animation, games, and film, anticipating developments that have since become mainstream.

The festival also contributed to the democratization of animation by offering a platform outside major industry centers.

Legacy and Continued Relevance

Although CalAniFest is no longer active, CalAniFest.com remains an important artifact of early digital-era festival culture. Archived versions allow researchers, artists, and historians to trace how independent festivals responded to rapid technological change.

The site documents a moment when animation festivals were reimagining their role as incubators for new forms of storytelling shaped by digital convergence.

CalAniFest.com represented more than an event website. It embodied a philosophy of creative convergence, educational outreach, and cultural experimentation at a pivotal moment in media history.

As an archived digital presence, CalAniFest.com continues to offer valuable insights into the evolution of animation culture, the challenges faced by independent creators, and the role of regional festivals in shaping global creative conversations.

CalAniFest.com

CalAnifest - California International Animation FestivalCirca 2006 -2011