The 12th annual Spark Animation Film festival has moved online in 2020 with an expanded program running over 11 days from October 29 to November 8. The virtual festival, which is produced by Vancouver-based Spark Computer Graphics (Spark CG) Society, will showcase interviews with Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore (Wolfwalkers, The Secret of Kells) as well as a 25th anniversary reunion of the women who worked on Pixar’s Toy Story, featuring acclaimed producer Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy).
Festival director Marina Antunes noted, “Along with a program of edgy and award-winning short and feature films, we will have director Q & A sessions, live presentations, and opportunities for festival pass-holders to network with filmmakers virtually.”
Among the sessions planned for this event, organized by festival director Marina Artunes are:
- “The Women of Toy Story” honors the 25th-anniversary of this beloved film from the perspectives of the women who helped in its creation. Hollywood Producer Bonnie Arnold, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Spark CG Society in 2019, will be joined by other women from the production. The session will be moderated by author, film historian, and filmmaker Mindy Johnson.
- An online presentation by Irish animator and illustrator Tomm Moore, co-director of the Apple TV+ upcoming film Wolfwalkers.
- To mark the 20th anniversary of the Academy Award-winning short film Father and Daughter, an “In Conversation” session with London-based Dutch Director Michaël Dudok de Wit will be moderated by educator and film historian Keith Blackmore and will include a screening of the acclaimed short.
- Female filmmakers’ talents are on display during the “Mothers of a Medium” program.
- Films by Canadian filmmakers are celebrated with a “Made in Canada” showcase.
- The “Spotlight on France” includes award-winning French shorts and features.
- Experimental films provide fuel for “Late Night Snacks” screenings.
Festival passes are on sale now at Eventive for $25, plus taxes and fees.
For the full line-up, visit at http://sparkanimation.ca.
