Events Round-Up: ANNY Best of Fest, Animest, Fredrikstad Animation Festival

A round-up of upcoming animation festivals and events across the world.

ANNY Best of Fest

Where and when? New York City, October 5–6.

What? For the fourth year running, the organizers of the popular Animation Nights New York screenings are hosting a two-day festival and conference. As always, the film program is an eclectic grab bag of 20 shorts from around the world, all of which have already screened at ANNY’s monthly events.

Films aside, Best of Fest also boasts a wide range of industry events, including a fine art exhibit, virtual and augmented reality showcases, and panels on topics ranging from queer animation to studio management. A special panel will take place to celebrate the 20th anniversary of New York’s Augenblick Studios. Screenings will take place on both days at 180 Maiden Lane, Seaport District, from noon till 10pm. Entry to the films is free and $30 gets an industry pass, with access to all events.

More information: https://anny.media/

Animest

Where and when? Bucharest, Romania, October 4–13.

What? This may be the only animation festival in Romania, but the organizers make it count. The sprawling program unfolds over ten days, taking in six competitive film programs, masterclasses, vr installations, a sci-fi strand, and Minimest — a section dedicated to children.

This year’s edition opens with a screening of Marona’s Fantastic Tale, the gleefully experimental new feature by the Romanian Anca Damian. With Estonia as the country of honor, several of the country’s most high-profile filmmakers, including Chintis Lundgren and Priit and Olga Pärn, will be on hand for masterclasses and presentations. Other speakers this year include Paul Bush and Robert Valley.

More information: https://www.animest.ro/

Fredrikstad Animation Festival

Where and when? Fredrikstad, Norway, October 24–27.

What? One of the key events on northern Europe’s animation calendar, Fredrikstad has a knack for attracting A-list guests, and this edition is no exception. A headline speaker this year is Dan Harmon, co-creator of Rick & Morty, who will give a talk bookended by episodes of the show.

Other events include a masterclass by Michael Frei about his transmedia project Kids, a discussion with veteran Norwegian animator Anna Tystad Aronsen, and a two-day workshop on animation documentaries hosted by Anidox, an initiative run by The Animation Workshop in Denmark. The competition programs put an accent on the region, with five awards reserved for Nordic-Baltic films. There is also a family day, which boasts a free screening of Aardman’s latest feature Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.

More information: https://animationfestival.no/