Max Fleischer Fans are in for a treat when the annual Los Angeles Animation Festival raises its curtains again next week. The event, which takes place at the Eastwood Performing Art Center Dec. 5-8 in Hollywood, features screenings of eclectic shorts, competitions, and a special Fleischer restoration spotlight program, all culminating in the annual awards night and party on Sunday, Dec. 8.
On Thursday December 5th, the festival hosts a special pre-competition meetup for all entrants and attendees to get to know each other at Atwater’s classic Big Foot Lodge. On Friday LAAF’s opening event features a lively screening of classic animation shorts and super-rarities from around the world, all projected on film on the big screen.
Saturday’s program features screenings of the films in competition throughout the day. Saturday’s evening also includes a rare screening of newly restored Fleischer Studio shorts featuring Betty Boop, Koko the Clown, Superman and Popeye — a treasure trove of fantastic 4K restorations with interstitial commentary from an illustrious panel of animation directors including Dave Wasson (The Cuphead Show and Mickey Mouse shorts) Howard Baker (Piece by Piece), acclaimed voice actor Billy West (Ren & Stimpy, Futurama) and historian Ray Pointer, author of The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer. Also on hand will be Mauricio Alvarado who has worked with Paramount and the Fleischer family to make all the recent Fleischer restorations happen. There will be an array of Fleischer souvenirs and memorabilia available for purchase.
The awards gala will take place on Sunday (Dec. 8) at 7:45 PM, followed by a party. Awards will be presented in various student and professional categories, judged by a distinguished panel of animation and film professionals. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/los-angeles-animation-festival-2864979
For more info, visit. http://blog.laafest.com/tickets-schedule/
Watch the trailer below:
