|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
[the_ad id=”3275645″]
‘Cartoons actually churn out more darkness and depravity (plus an unhealthy dose of cheese) than outright comedy. Animated films are dominated by dramas, and it makes sense, really, because good comedy is far harder to craft than drama.’
Well, the OIAF (Ottawa International Animation Festival) is entering the last year of its 40s and hurtling toward our big 50th anniversary in 2026 — but this 49th edition is no slouch!
For those who haven’t attended before, OIAF is North America’s largest and oldest animation event. It features competition screenings, retrospectives and special programs, industry panels and talks, exhibitions — and a boatload of parties. Whether you’re a student, teacher, producer, filmmaker, art fan, content creator or just curious, there’s something to suit every taste.
Why am I surprised that, in a moment when existence feels more precarious, more impossible and more hopeless than usual, the animation community is finally revealing its sense of humor?
“Sense of humor?,” you ask, befuddled. “But these are cartoons! They should be funny.” Oh, you poor naive human. Cartoons (a.k.a. animation) actually churn out more darkness and depravity (plus an unhealthy dose of cheese) than outright comedy. I know — it surprises me too, but it’s true: Animated films are dominated by dramas. And it makes sense, really, because good comedy is far harder to craft than drama. Most of the jokes I see each year are derivative nods to industry hits that, frankly, weren’t all that funny to begin with. Comedy — true comedy — emerges from darkness.
Some of this year’s absurdist, darkly comic highlights include:
- ICan’t (Renato Klieger Gennari, Brazil), about a problematic vacuum cleaner.
- Poor Marciano (Alex Rey, Spain), which references a one‑hit Canadian band that I’d like to apologize for.
- S the Wolf (Sameh Alaa, France), an ode to hair loss.
- A Taste of Beer (Li Xie, China), an utterly bizarre father‑son story.
- Existential Greg (Will Anderson, United Kingdom), a cat’s crisis.
- Basketball Explorer Presents: The Shot Doctor (Keith Pakiz, United States), about an extremely troubled basketball player.
- I Beg Your Pardon (John W. Lustig, United States), about an idiot murderer.
- Quota (Job, Joris & Marieke; Netherlands), an explosive take on climate change.
- The 12‑Inch Pianist (Lucas Ansel, United States), in which a genie wish goes awry.
- Two Point Five Stars (Sina Lerf, Dario Marti and Dario Boger; Switzerland), set in a rather bizarre hotel.
Not everything is a laugh, of course. Keep an eye out for potent new works like Kyiv Cake, Bread Will Walk, Paradaïz and Off‑Time, among many others.
Judging these brief beauties will be Winston Hacking (Canada), Gina Kamentsky (U.S.A.) and Mariam Kandelaki (Georgia).
Over in the feature competition, there are six contenders:
- Decorado (Alberto Vázquez, Spain)
- Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake (Irene Iborra Rizo; Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland)
- The Great History of Western Philosophy (Aria Covamonas [who tragically passed away this summer]; Mexico)
- Death Does Not Exist (Félix Dufour‑Laperrière, Canada)
- Tales from the Magic Garden (David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar and Jean‑Claude Rozec; Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, France)
Feature jurists include Chris Lavis (Canada), Honami Yano (Japan) and Magdalena Zira (Cyprus).
There’s also a bounty of films in our Kids (featuring Annecy Cristal winner The Night Boots by Pierre-Luc Granjon), Teens, Canadian Student and Series (Common Side Effects, Eggland) competitions.
We have made one minor change this year: You’ll notice the absence of Panorama screenings. These out‑of‑competition selections once showcased films that we couldn’t fit into competition but still wanted to present. We’ve decided to retire the World Panorama and World Student Panorama programs, though you can still catch some great titles in the Canadian Panorama screening.
Special Screenings & Retrospectives
Phil Mulloy’s biting minimalist satires — Cowboys, The Sound of Music, The Ten Commandments, Intolerance, The Christies and Endgame — have been on my mind for years. Phil was slated to attend the festival, but he sadly passed away this summer. It’s a tremendous loss for the animation world, but thankfully his work lives on for us to explore. His voice is sorely missed in animation, so we’re reintroducing his work with a three‑part retrospective of his classic shorts and features, an exhibition of provocative and fiery art and the launch of the first book on his oeuvre, Raw Outrage — The Films of Phil Mulloy.
We’re also spotlighting the Oscar‑nominated Canadian stop‑motion studio Clyde Henry (Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski), whose latest work, The Girl Who Cried Pearls, competes in the Short Competition. The duo will also lead a behind‑the‑scenes session on their unique process as part of Animation Exposé (see more below).
Other highlights include: A tribute to the work of American experimental animator and OIAF favorite Gina Kamentsky; Focus programs celebrating 95 years of Georgian animation and showcasing the new wave of Japanese animation; Eternal Stories: Animating Ancient Greek Myths, a one‑off screening exploring classical mythology through animation; a screening of A Return to Memory, Donald McWilliams’ extraordinary documentary about the pioneering women filmmakers at the National Film Board of Canada; and Touch Frames, a specially curated screening by the team at 24 Memes Per Second.
The Animation Conference (TAC)
Over on the more business‑driven side of OIAF, the Animation Conference (TAC) is the three‑day industry event for production executives, creators, broadcasters, streamers and more. (Programming was still being added or confirmed at press time.)
This year, TAC takes an optimistic look at new ways of getting projects made and doing business. Switching Streams breaks down how companies and independent creators are turning to alternative platforms for their central distribution strategy. Animation on Location: The Business of Animation for 4D Spaces examines how animated projects can transform stores, rides and public places.
Want to improve your pitch? Newcomer Emily Brundige (Goldie, Hilda, Pubertina) and industry legend Eric Calderon (Surviving Animation) will help you shape your series concepts for the spotlight.
Meet your next new production partner at Fast Track and learn about co‑production with France. Plus, regular favorites Pitch THIS! and the Toon Boom Boat Cruise.
Word on the street is that some big‑name studios are lining up to crash both TAC and Animation Exposé — but if I say anything more now, I’ll get in trouble. Best to keep checking the OIAF website for updates.
And finally, Americans: We know you’re having a tough time, and we’re not thrilled with your leader’s threats and tariffs — among many, many other things — but you’re still welcome. Just be careful: Don’t be fooled by tales of our politeness. Mess with us, and we might just play you some Crash Test Dummies.
OIAF25 runs September 24-28. You can find all the details at animationfestival.ca.
