CalAnifest - California International Animation Festival
Archived content from 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.

 



 

Notes from an attendee: "This event was the highlight of my year! I had just graduated with my film studies degree and was turned on to the festival by an animator who had submitted a short. What was really inspiration to me was the diversity of work I was exposed to in such a short amount of time. The raw talent was amazingly inspirational to experience. Two projects blew me away, the short "Tactical" by Andrea Watts, a black and white super creative collage of mind blowing images that were hand drawn. Must have taken her months to make this 12 minute film. The other was a promotional piece by Willox made to promote a dog bed maker. The topic seems so mundane when I try to describe it, but in reality the project was a monumentally impressive work of art. The dog beds were populated by all kinds of dog breeds and then some other animals snuck in that made the piece both humorous and amazing. The dog beds themselves are simple round cushions with very cool fabric covers that come in a large number of designs. But the animation's montage is what made it special - flashes of brilliance where dogs and other pets are animated sleeping, relaxing, dreaming, arguing, dancing, laughing, etc. all around these cool beds. What struck me most about my experience here was that there was a great opportunity to use animation to generate interest in the commercial world, which is what I'm most interested in and this event made me certain this is where I want to spend my life." Mike Cooke

 

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.

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.

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. All categories include both movie and television series projects and music videos.

  1. 2D Animation - classic hand drawn animation with running time under 30 minutes.
  2. 3D Animation - computer drawn 3D style animation with running time under 30 minutes.
  3. Anime - Japanese style animaetion with running times under 30 minutes.
  4. Experimental/Other/Multi-Media - animation using other forms of expression including claymantion, puppetry, etch-a-sketch, etc., as well as those using more than one technique. Also includes projects combining Live Action and Animation, however animation must be at least 50% of the finished project.
  5. Games-any game that can be played on a PC or mobile device may enter the competition.

FEATURE LENGTH PROJECTS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN ALL CATEGORIES AS WELL.

Selections

CalAniFest appoints independent selection committees to view 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.

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

 

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.

  1. 2D Animation - Short films - This category includes films of hand drawn animation with a running time UNDER 30 minutes.
  2. ">3D Animation - Short films - This category includes films of computer animation with a running time of 30 minutes or longer.
  3. Anime - Films in the style of Japanese Animation, now popularly knowns as Anime. Length under 30 minutes.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. The competition is open to any production available for screening on DVD in NTSC Region 0 or Region 1 format.
  2. 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.
  3. Preview copies are accepted (in the Animation categories) only on Region 0 or Region 1 DVD format.
  4. All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
  5. It is important that you fill out separate paper work for every entry that you submit.
  6. Incomplete entry forms will not be accepted.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.

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.

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.

  1. Animation - Shorts - all types of animation with running time under 30 minutes.
  2. Animation - Features - all types of animation with running time 30 minutes or longer.
  3. 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

CalAniFest appoints independent selection committees to view 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.

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

 


CalAniFest.com