Official Selections: 6th LA Animated Film Festival
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film.
Testimony
Short
One day, the police bring a young boy to a quiet monastery. The boy, named Emile, is said to have been found alone in an abandoned castle. Emile insists he lived in the castle with a vampire named Charlie and wants to return there. Concerned about Emile's mental state, the police ask Sister Angela to interview him. As Angela begins her conversation with Emile, he insists that Charlie cares for and protects him. Initially, Angela dismisses Charlie as merely Emile's imaginary friend, but she becomes increasingly surprised by the vivid details and consistency in Emile's story. Emile's eyes betray both fear and a strong attachment to Charlie. Despite the skepticism and suspicion from Angela, the police, and others around them, Emile persisted in asserting Charlie's existence. Angela finds herself unexpectedly drawn into Emile's story, beginning to ponder whether there might be some truth to his words.
Director: Su Min Ha
Producer: Su Min Ha
Writer: Su Min Ha
Cast: Jonna-Lynn Alonso, Emily Gin, Elijah Kim, Erica Malachowski, Nicolas Prothais
Editor: Su Min Ha
Additional Details: Testimony has been selected as a semifinalist at the Istanbul Movie Awards, a finalist at the Fine Cut Festival, and a winner of best student film at the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation, and Technology.
Website:
https://stonehenge601.myportfolio.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stonehenge03/
Twitter:
https://x.com/Sumin_HaHaHa
The Legend of Bill
Short Short
Los Angeles Premiere
When one tough underduck with a champion heart-a-gold challenges the track favorite in a Texas desert race, only one champion can emerge from the heat.
Director: Jacob Birmingham
Producer: Michael Stephens
Writer: Jacob Birmingham
Cast: Melanie Andrews, Jacob Birmingham
Editor: Phillip Burnett
Director's Statement:
Inspired by a confluence of desert “trophy truck” racing, western landscapes, racing films, Texas summers, vintage automotive illustration, motorsport culture, and a healthy diet of classic cartoons, “The Legend of Bill” chronicles the tale of how a duck with “triple billing” got his start on the off-road racing scene.
While this animated bonanza is full of suspense and suspension, ready to take on any landscape, the vehicles are extensions of the characters who drive them: exploring themes of convenience and tech over hard work and mechanical know-how. It’s not so much about the vehicle, but the character of the one who drives it.
We had an extremely talented core “pit crew” of 7 grads and 6 undergrads who all wore many hats. Each of us in our second year of learning this team sport called animation. We completed production of this hybrid DCI 4K juggernaut in a single 15-week semester, but the race was far from finished. The following semester shrunk down to a skeleton crew of director, producer, and editor, as we pressed on through rendering, compositing, editing, and re-editing outside of class.
While we rustled up an additional 5 shots, and brought a few others into polish, we frame-locked picture so our composer, a gifted senior undergrad from the school of music, could work his magic. He gave us a legendary score with western notes while we enlisted the help of another film grad, our sound mixer, to capture live sound from both of the real engines that give life to the vehicles in our film, and by legendary happenstance, we got both vehicles on the same day.
Having the distinct pleasure of watching this film with an audience, and hearing their response in and out of the room, we are proud to present: “The Legend of Bill.”
Articles, Publicity and Promotion:
"The Legend of Bill" was featured in issue #96 of Bronco Driver Magazine.
"The Legend of Bill" was featured in a Toon Boom Technical Interview with Director Jacob Birmingham, and Producer Michael Stephens: https://www.toonboom.com/jacob-birmingham-and-michael-stephens-on-creating-the-legend-of-bill
The official "Bill" hat is available for pre-order in the US.
Real and accurate engines were recorded for both vehicles in the film, one by appointment and one by happenstance on the same legendary day.
"The Legend of Bill" Awards:
Best Original Score; Best Sound Design - Lipscomb University's 5-Minute Film Festival
Best Animated Film; Honorable Mentions in Best Score, and Best Movie Poster - The French Duck Film Festival (Mandarin Edition)
Silver Winner - The Inaugural Collision Awards
Honorable Mention - Wild West Film Festival
"The Legend of Bill" Official Selections/Nominations:
Nashville Film Festival (Nashville, TN)
Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival (Gympie, Australia)
Duck & Red Octopus Film Festival (Courtland, NY)
International Motor Film Awards (London, UK)
Newport Beach Film Festival (Newport Beach, CA)
Film Fest Knox (Knoxville, TN)
LA Animated Film Fest (Los Angeles, CA)
Grand Motoring Film Festival (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Website: mrbirm.com/film
Instagram: @legendofbillfilm
The Tin Woods
Short
While exploring an abandoned cabin, the Tin Woodman finds...his original head? Based on the original Oz books by L. Frank Baum, this short stop-motion film explores the origins of the Tin Woodman and how he came to be made of tin.
Director: Nick Boxwell
Producer: Mattzilla Duron
Website: www.tinwoods.com
Instagram: @nboxwell @majirra
Whittled Down
Short Short
Carlisle has been trapped in this cabin for a long, long time. There are no doors, and the windows only open to an endless black void. With nothing to do but whittle and wait, a single thought lingers at the forefront of his mind: there's something wrong with that clock.
Director: Olly Glenn (I produced this film solo)
Website: https://whittleddownfilm.ollyglenn.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollyisonit/