Returning to Newcastle for it’s fifth year, the Newcastle International Animation Festival (NIAF) will showcase over 80 of the best animated short-films from around the world! Across the three day animation feast, be inspired by an eclectic line-up of animation from award winners, outstanding industry icons, inspiring independents, stupendous studios, and newcomers exploring their talent on screen for the very first time. The speaker lineup will include:
Award winning Writer, Director and Animator (‘Happy Feet’, ‘Prank’, ‘Blinky Bill: The Movie’)
See extended bio.
Animation Supervisor and Storyboard Artist (‘Peter Rabbit’, ‘The Lego Movie’, ‘The Lion King 2’)
See extended bio.This year Opening Night will present the Australian Showcase, a collection of stand-out Aussie animations, screened alongside talks from some of Australia’s most talented animators who will share their journeys in taking animation to the world.
The lovable Saturday Kids animation session returns bigger than ever at the Conservatorium of Music’s Harold Lobb Theatre from 10.30am. Kick off the session with some face painting, enjoy live entertainment by Newcastle of Conservatorium’s Junior Vocal Ensemble the “Supertonics”, and load up with popcorn, choc tops and fairy floss!
On Saturday evening catch back-to-back sessions of our International showcases, the mind-exploding Late Night Bizarre, and a special session of work by hilarious 2D animators and BAFTA winners The Brothers McLeod. Can’t make Friday or Saturday sessions? Or keen to catch the films a second time round? There will be reruns of most of the sessions on Sunday. Check program for details.See below for session times and locations. For regular updates follow on Facebook.
Let’s kick off with a celebration of Australian Animation! A visual discovery from Australia's animation stars, rivaling the world's best. Talks from industry professionals, then stick around for the Q&A to uncover how they did it. Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
Lots of fun for all animation explorers. A cute, quirky, giggle-worthy session that will fill them with wonder. Face painting and entertainment by ‘Supertonics’ before the show. Great for ages 2 and up.
Some of the best crafted, well thought out pieces of animated insanity from the imaginations of Greg and Myles McLeod. Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
One of two stunning programs showcasing the incredible diversity of animation made up from 4,000+ submissions. Every technique, every genre, every style – your annual window into the international indie animation universe..Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
One of two stunning programs showcasing the incredible diversity of animation made up from 4,000+ submissions. Every technique, every genre, every style – your annual window into the international indie animation universe..Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
NIAF’s annual walk on the wild side splashing the weirdest and most twisted films to emerge this year. Unclassified 18+.
A visual discovery from Australia's animation stars, rivaling the world's best, which surveys the incredible artistry and skill of Australian animators. Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
Some of the best crafted, well thought out pieces of animated insanity from the imaginations of Greg and Myles McLeod. Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
One of two stunning programs showcasing the incredible diversity of animation made up from 4,000+ submissions. Every technique, every genre, every style – your annual window into the international indie animation universe..Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
One of two stunning programs showcasing the incredible diversity of animation made up from 4,000+ submissions. Every technique, every genre, every style – your annual window into the international indie animation universe..Unclassified 15+ (children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian).
The 3-day festival will screen across two iconic University of Newcastle venues located in the heart of Newcastle CBD. The Harold Lobb Concert Hall at the Conservatorium of Music will be retrofitted as a 220-seat cinema to host the festival’s Opening Night bringing you talks from animation legends, and on Saturday morning will be brimming with fun for the Kids Program. Saturday evening and Sunday sessions will screen in the Demonstration Theatre - a secret cinema located in heritage-listed University House. A box office and bar will be available at both venues.
At the University of Newcastle we have earned a strong reputation for delivering quality programs in the areas of creative and performing arts, communication, digital media, natural history illustration, visual design and music. In 2017, we officially launched the fusion of all of the University of Newcastle's creative disciplines to form the School of Creative Industries. We collaborate with our partners across the spectrum of creative professions to drive innovations that contribute to the cultural and economic transformation of our regions. Our degrees prepare graduates to expand their creative talents and develop hands-on skills that are relevant and in demand across the creative industries.
If you are interested in studying animation at the University of Newcastle, the Animation Major in the Bachelor of Visual Communication Design could be for you.
The University of Newcastle’s School of Creative Industries is excited to present Festival X, held on 13-17 November, across the University’s vibrant city campus and beyond. Now in its second year, Festival X is a culmination of student’s work in the areas of design and animation, communication, theatre, music and film. Held over five days and featuring more than twenty unique events, the students will be making their mark in performances, exhibitions and screenings, celebrating their achievements and showcasing years of dedication to their craft. Check out our full program of events and experience the emerging creative talent that exists in the heart of the beautiful city of Newcastle.
Award winning Writer, Director and Animator (‘Happy Feet’, ‘Prank’, ‘Blinky Bill: The Movie’)
Alex’s career spans two decades immersed in feature film, advertising and television, as Writer, Director, and senior roles across animation and VFX, on major international projects. At companies such as Animal Logic, Rising SunPictures and Flying Bark. He has consulted on, and written screenplays for clients in Australia, the U.S. and China.
Alex worked on the feature ‘Peter Rabbit’ as Additional Animation Supervisor and wrote and directed the Chinese animated feature film franchise ‘FrogKingdom 3’ and ‘Frog Kingdom 4’. Prior to this, Weight was co-director of the animated feature ‘Blinky Bill: The Movie’, re-vamping a classic character for anew audience. He was also animation supervisor on Zack Snyder’s ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole’ and lead animator on Oscar-winning animation feature ‘Happy Feet’.
Alex's short horror film Prank was awarded the People’s Choice Award at theSydney Underground Festival and has screened at multiple international film festivals including Shriekfest in Los Angeles, the NYC Horror Film Festival, Melbourne’s Monsterfest, Knoxville Horror Film Festival, and most recently at Cannes Underground Film Festival.
Originally launching his career in advertising, Alex has delivered on campaigns for brands including Toyota, ABC, Sony, VW, Arnotts, Bank of New Zealand and Tiger Beer. Alex has lectured and hosted courses in Animation for Sydney’s top colleges and universities including COFA, UTS, Sydney College of the Arts, and AFTRS.
Animation Supervisor and Storyboard Artist (‘Peter Rabbit’, ‘The Lego Movie’, ‘The Lion King 2’)
Simon began his career 25 years ago as an Animator at Walt Disney Animation Australia. Throughout his career he has worked across a number of films and television projects, commercials and pitches as a Storyboard Artist, Animator and Character Pose Artist. Most recently Simon leads the 2D Animation team on ‘Peter Rabbit’, and is currently working on the sequel.
Early in Simon’s career he was accepted into the selective Animation Training Program at DisneyToon Studios Australia (then Walt Disney Animation Australia) and quickly gained status as Senior Animator. After animating on the television series ‘Timon and Pumbaa’ and ‘101 Dalmatians’, he was kept busy working on the many direct-to-video releases the studio produced over the subsequent 10years. Of those productions, Simon animated on titles such as ‘The Lion King 2:Simba's Pride’, ‘An Extremely Goofy Movie’, ‘Peter Pan in Return to Never Land’, ‘Jungle Book 2’, ‘Lilo and Stitch 2’ and ‘Bambi and The Great Prince of the Forest’.
The closure of DisneyToon studios in 2006 allowed Simon to develop skills as a Storyboard Artist at Funnyazhell Animation, a studio specialising in the pre-production and animation of children's television series. From there he deployed his Storyboarding skills at Tui Studios, where he worked on several episodes of Huntik:Secrets and Seekers, an action series with Mangasensibilities.
Later Simon moved onto Animal Logic where he completed a CG animation training program that using his 2D animation skillset within the 3D realm. This allowed Simon to not only work as a Storyboard Artist, but also produce work as an Animator and Character Pose Artist for films such as ‘Legends of theGuardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole’, ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’, ‘The Lego Movie’, ‘The Lego Batman Movie’.
In recent times Simon has directed television series ‘Heidi’ at Flying Bark Productions, and lead the 2D Animation team on the ‘Peter Rabbit’ films.