Short films made by three Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduates will feature in the Australian International Animation Festival this weekend in Wagga Wagga.

 

The 9^th annual festival will be held from Friday 18 May and showcases over 100 of the best animated films selected from more than 2000 entries from 30 countries.

 

Festival organiser Mr Andrew Hagan from CSU’s School of Communication and Creative Industries is proud to see work by CSU graduates selected to represent the best in Australian animation.

 

“The two films, Gob the Space Cadet and Il Songo were meticulously crafted films and it’s wonderful to see recognition of our graduate’s abilities,” Mr Hagan said.

 

Created by CSU Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Visual Effects)  graduates Ms Bridget Acreman and Mr Rowan Karrer, Gob the Space Cadet is a children's animation about an adventurous lieutenant who commandeers a space ship to be reunited with his one true love.

“The Australian International Animation Festival has always been such a huge inspiration and having our film shown in it, nestled among the other exquisite animations, is really wonderful,” Ms Acreman said. “It also brings Gob to a wider audience and will hopefully bring some laughter, fun and magic in to other people’s lives, which was always the intent of the film.”

Now working as a 3D artist and compositor, Mr Karrer said CSU’s Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Visual Effects) has prepared him for the workplace.

 

“The degree provided the necessary structure to develop both technical prowess and artistic integrity,” he said.” It gives you the fundamental skills to begin a lifetime of practice, you learn how to learn, how to work with people and how to become an artist.”

CSU Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Visual Effects) graduate, Ms Lidia Castelletto’s film Il Songo will also feature at the festival.

 

“For the first time we’ll be screening the majority of films in their native digital format and the quality will blow people away,” Mr Hagan said. “Not only are the films spectacular but we are privileged that many of the filmmakers are actually coming to meet the crowd. It’s one of the most relaxed and intimate networking opportunities in a festival of this stature.”

 

Those responsible for some of Australia’s best new animated films will also share their secrets in free seminars at the festival.

 

Melbourne filmmaker Ms Julia Bourke will talk about the production of her 18-minute stop-motion film Glossy along with Ms Lissa Pascale and Mr Jason Glenfield, the designers of The Last Photo, an Australian film that promises to make a splash on the international film circuit.

 

Those attending the festival also have the chance to pick up door prizes, including computer software worth more than $3 000.

 

See the full festival program here.