YOUNG ANIMATORS INITIATIVE SET TO SPARK IMAGINATION ACROSS THE UAE
Brand new initiative launched by DIFF, Taaleem and The Animation Chamber gives young people the chance to explore the world of movie animation
The winner to have their work premiered at this year’s #Dubai International Film Festival
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) alongside Taaleem, one of the largest education providers in the UAE, and The Animation Chamber, a grassroots animation collective, has announced details of an inspirational new initiative, the Young Animators Award. Conceived to encourage and engage youngsters in the wonderful world of movie animation, the Young Animators Award will offer a platform for all filmmakers across the region, regardless of age or experience.
The Award will see 18 participants between 10- and 17-years shortlisted and given the opportunity to take part in a stop-motion animation workshop from 3-5 December 2015 during Animate Dubai, the first international animation festival organised by The Animation Chamber at Dubai Design District (d3). The talented young participants will learn about everything from storyboarding and scriptwriting to filming techniques, sound design and editing. They will create a total of six videos between them that will be reviewed by a special committee with the winning animation video given a World Premiere at DIFF 2015.
The Award is now open for entry. Children and young adults interested in taking part are asked to submit a 60-second creative video that answers the question: Why do you want to take part in the Young Animators Award programme?
The deadline for submissions is 10 November 2015.
Commenting on the launch of the new initiative, Managing Director of the Dubai International Film Festival, Shivani Pandya, said: “The inception of the Young Animators Award is exciting for DIFF and one that we hope will capture the boundless imagination of young filmmakers. This is a fantastic opportunity for the aspiring young animators of tomorrow to create unique animation films that can showcase on a big screen to a live audience. The programme aims to provide a new platform to showcase and celebrate their filmmaking achievements as well as inspire, enthuse and inform.”
Taaleem, will support the initiative in helping raise awareness and encourage participation. Clive Pierrepont, Director of Communications at Taaleem added: “Film is a fantastic medium for young people to express their creativity. The Young Animators Award will give students interested in film a real opportunity to learn practical skills and develop their filmmaking, and we would encourage everyone to take part no matter their experience.”
The Animation Chamber, will provide the workshops for the 18 Young Animators Award shortlisted entrants. Lina Younes, Founder, The Animation Chamber, commented: “Animation is as important to the film industry as any other discipline and in its nature can be one of the most creative. With the imagination of a young person steering that creativity, the results can be truly magical and we are delighted to be a part of such a unique initiative.”
Entrants must submit their 60-second creative video by 10th November 2015 via the Festival’s website diff.ae. For more information on the initiative, visit www.dubaifilmfest.com