Animation will play a major role at the upcoming Los Angeles Film Festival, set to kick off this Thursday and run through June 28.
In addition to the U.S. premiere of the Hayao Miyazaki film Ponyo, which will close the festival, animation fans will have a chance to see numerous animated short films and music videos. Among them is the critically acclaimed Skhizein, directed by J’r’my Clapin, recent recipient of the Audience Prize and a Jury Special Mention at this year’s Stuttgart Trickfilm Festival. The fill will screen as part of Shorts Program 1, on June 20 at 4:30 p.m. and again June 24 at 9:45 p.m., both at the Majestic Crest theater.
Also part of the festival is a panel discussion on adapting comic book and graphic novels to the big screen, featuring writer Zak Penn (The Incredible Hulk, X-Men: The Last Stand) and Barry Levine, president of Radical Comics. The panel will take place June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Center.
Here is a selection of the animated fare that will be featured at the festival:
FEATURE
‘ Ponyo (DIRECTOR/WRITER Hayao Miyazaki DIRECTORS – ENGLISH VOICE TALENT John Lasseter, Brad Lewis, Peter Sohn WRITER – ENGLISH VERSION Melissa Mathison PRODUCER Toshio Suzuki PRODUCERS – ENGLISH VERSION Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steve Alpert CAST Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Frankie Jonas, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Betty White) – From Academy Award-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes Ponyo, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Featuring the voices of Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson and Frankie Jonas, this is the story of Ponyo, a young over eager goldfish on a quest to become human who is befriended by a young boy named Sosuke.
SHORT FILMS
‘ Bill’s Vistors. Directed by Simon Deshon. England
‘ The Cable Car. Directed by Claudius Gentinetta, Frank Braun.. Switzerland
‘ Codswallop. Directed by The Brothers McLeod. England
‘ I Live in the Woods. Directed by Max Winston. USA
‘ Photograph of Jesus. Directed by Laurie Hill. England
‘ Rains (L’ond’e). Directed by David Coquard-Dassault. Canada
‘ The Royal Nightmare. Directed by Alex Budosky. USA
‘ Skhizein. Directed by J’r’my Clapin. France
‘ Stand Up. Directed by Joseph Pierce. England
‘ Western Spaghetti. Directed by PES. USA
MUSIC VIDEOS
‘ 21st Century Life: Sam Sparro. Directed by Mariah Garnett
‘ Her Morning Elegance: Oren Lavie. Directed by Oren Lavie, Yuval & Merav Nathan
‘ Fortress: Pinback. Directed by Elliot Jokelson
‘ Grapevine Fires: Death Cab for Cutie. Directed by Walter Robot
‘ Mykonos: Fleet Foxes. Directed by Sean Pecknold
‘ Ruler of Everything: Tally Hall. Directed by Sean Donnelly
‘ Who’s Gonna Save my Soul: Gnarls Barkley. Directed by Chris Milk
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
‘ Graphic Explosion ‘ Adaptations of comic books and graphic novels have proliferated in recent years, and it’s no all superheroes: Sin City, 300, Wanted, and Persepolis all came from graphic novels. A group of filmmakers, artists, writers, and fans explore Hollywood’s fascination with the medium and the creative challenges of translating them to the screen. Panelists include Zak Penn (Screenwriter, Incredible Hulk, X-Men: The Last Stand) and Barry Levine (Publisher, Radical Comics).
For information on tickets and a full schedule of events, visit www.lafilmfest.com.
