20th Anniversary of London International Animation Festival: Celebrations, Films, and Interview

20th Anniversary of London International Animation Festival

– Celebrations marking the 20th year of the London International Animation Festival (LIAF).
– Animation lovers from across the city invited to participate in the 10-day event.

Event Highlights

– Screening of a diverse array of animated films touching on various themes.
– Opening avenues for independent, non-mainstream films to be seen and appreciated.
– Showcase of new animation talent, including first-time filmmakers.

Interview with Nag Vladermersky, Festival Director

– In-depth conversation with Festival Director Nag Vladermersky, offering insights into the festival’s evolution through the years.

Hot Take

Turning 20 has never looked so good – and animated! The London International Animation Festival not only survived puberty, but it’s dancing onto the stage of its 20th year, glittering with all kinds of films from the sublime to the surreal. With a crowd brighter than a freshly-rendered Pixar scene, this festival is the place to be for anyone who secretly knows that cartoons are not just for kiddos. And to top it off, we have a tête-à-tête with Festival Director, Nag Vladermersky. His reminiscence about the festival’s growth could make a riveting coming-of-age biopic itself – if only it were animated!

As it marks its 20th year, the London International Animation Festival (LIAF) proudly stands as a favourite amongst animated filmmakers. For 10 days, audiences are taken on a journey through captivating films screened throughout the city. Audiences are exposed to the unfamiliar, unprecedented and creative genius of new filmmakers. Renowned for its nurturing environment, LIAF continues to champion independent animation, supporting films that aren’t afraid to dig a bit deeper and offbeat.

Under the guidance of Nag Vladermersky, the festival’s founder, this event embraces a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ attitude, which makes it a stringent supporter of emerging filmmakers. It encourages hopeful filmmakers to continue creating distinctive films.

With its two decades of existence, LIAF has grown from a small local event to a massive 10-day international festival. Here’s a glimpse of the challenges encountered in building and sustaining the festival over the years.

And more…

Celebrating Paul Bush at LIAF 2023

At the opening gala of LIAF 2023, a tribute was paid to the late Paul Bush. Known for his mastery of moving imagery, Bush’s work was celebrated through a back-to-back screening of his films. The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion featuring a heartening reminiscence of Bush, including his wife and fellow animation tutor Robert Bradbrook.

Don’t Miss These Highlights at LIAF 2023

Aside from the tribute to Paul Bush, the festival features a careful selection of outstanding student films under ‘The Best of the Next’. Among the outstanding films is ‘Funeral at Nine’, a Gobelins grad film directed by an exceptional team of directors. The film takes viewers on a surreal journey, exploring concepts of life and death through exquisite drawing style and vivid imagery.

There’s more to explore at the festival. The Long Shorts Competition, for example, features films with longer runtimes, drawing the audience further into their unique worlds. Antipolis by Kaspar Jancis, with its intriguing exploration of gravity, is a notable pick in this category.


Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/20-years-liaf-nag-vladermersky-interview/