WHERE THE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE RULES

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is only one of the many must-see attractions of the stellar ‘22 edition of L.A.’s Animation Is Film Festival in October.

THE WOODEN BOY REVISITED: Guillermo del Toro’s eagerly anticipated take on Pinocchio is the festival’s closing night gift to audiences.

Those who have attended L.A.’s exciting Animation Is Film festival in previous years already know that it’s one of the animation calendar’s most anticipated events of the year. Founded by GKIDS president Eric Beckman in 2017, the Hollywood-based festival offers lovers of the art form a perfect opportunity to catch up with the latest animated offerings from major studios and indie helmers from around the world. Neither as overwhelming as Annecy nor as esoteric as some of the smaller global festivals, for many, AIF is just about the perfect size and offers just the right mix of panels, screenings, premieres and auteur appearances.

“Our goal is to cram a year’s worth of the best animated films from around the globe into a single Los Angeles weekend, in order to show how animation continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in filmmaking,” says Beckman. “This year’s program is particularly strong, a really unparalleled lineup of shorts and features from six continents — studio films and indies, hand drawn, stop motion, CG and experimental — from both new and established filmmakers.

Beckman points out that the festival, which takes place October 21-23, is not just for animation lovers. “It is for film lovers,” he emphasizes. “We are in L.A. to make it easy for people in the industry to expand their horizons about what kinds of films are possible within the medium of animation. Collectively, the lineup is aspirational toward that goal.”

Attracting the Auteurs

Beckman points out that the 2022 edition offers an amazing lineup! “We have new films from headline names like Henry Selick, Nora Twomey, Guillermo del Toro, Jordan Peele and Dice Tsutsumi. We have Annecy Cristal winner Petit Nicolas [Little Nicholas Happy as Can Be]; New Gods: Yang Jian, which is China’s biggest animated film of the year; the latest films from Oscar-nominated Brazilian director Alê Abreu (Perlimps) and Spanish director Alberto Vázquez (Unicorn Wars),” he notes. “We have shorts, features, panels, special events, filmmaker Q&As, audience voting, lots of parties! So, it’s not so much about this title or that title, but about the experience of binging on lots and lots of films and really immersing yourself in this world.”

Festival director Matt Kaszanek also mentions that fest-goers will be treated to work-in-progress sneak previews of Disney’s Strange World and DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. He adds, “We are super excited that Guillermo del Toro will be presenting a special screening of Pinocchio in its entirety at Animation Is Film, the first time the film will unspool for American audiences. We are once again teaming up with Annecy and Women in Animation for a mesmerizing collection of shorts directed by women. And we expect most of the aforementioned headliners and directors to be in attendance for Q&As and audience discussion.”

In an uncertain time when theaters are having a hard time drawing audiences away from their streaming habits at home, AIF offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy movies on the big screen, the way they were intended to be seen. “It’s just fun to see movies on a huge screen, with huge theatrical sound and in a shared audience experience, where everyone is gasping and laughing and crying and reacting at the same time,” says Beckman. “And where you are not distracted by your phone and other stuff going on. Most films are made for that experience, that’s the defining difference between film and television. And yes, you can enjoy movies at home, but it’s a little like ordering sushi to be delivered: It’s just a completely different experience in the restaurant. And of course the theatrical experience creates excitement. That’s why there are all these

“We are in L.A. to make it easy for people in the industry to expand their horizons about what kinds of films are possible within the medium of animation. Collectively the lineup is aspirational toward that goal.”

— Animation Is Film founder Eric Beckman

Oink

Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be

Perlimps

film festivals in the first place!” Beckman, who exec produced Cartoon Saloon’s Oscar-nominated feature Wolfwalkers, says It feels like the industry has evolved around the festival. “The whole concept that animation equals film, which was kind of intentionally provocative five years ago, is more and more a mainstream concept,” says the industry veteran. “So, compared to early on, when we had to make the rounds pitching participation, now we are seeing people really wanting to be a part of it, and the industry as a whole has really started to embrace this position that Animation Is Film.”

So, what is the best way to enjoy the festival? “Just come see lots of movies,” offers Beckman. “For every film you think you want to see, choose another that you know nothing about. Bring friends. Bring your parents. See three or four films in a day. Just come and camp out at the festival — there is food and alcohol and a well-maintained bathroom on site, so all your needs are taken care of!”

For Beckman, directing the festival continues to be a wild labor of love. “Running a festival is like childbirth,” he admits. “You work like crazy, it feels like it will never come together, it just seems impossible — and there is always a point where you look at your partner and swear you will never do it again. But then you get amnesia. You forget all the pain. By some miracle, the event actually happens, and there is so much joy and excitement and good feelings from the filmmakers and love from the audiences, that before the festival is even over you begin thinking about next year!” ◆

For the up-to-the-minute festival schedule, visit animationisfilm.com.

Opening Night

Wendell & Wild

Closing Night

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

In Competition

Aurora’s Sunrise Gold Kingdom & Water Kingdom Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be My Father’s Dragon New Gods: Yang Jian Oink Perlimps Titina Unicorn Wars

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish AIF 2022 at a Glance Special Events

Luck ONI: Thunder God’s Tale Summer Ghost Turning Red Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Strange World Student Shorts Showcase Best of Annecy/ Women in Animation

New Gods: Yang Jian