The Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF) screens at ACMI from June 14 to June 23, showcasing more than 400 films selected from over 4000 submissions. Included in the program, which features many international titles, is what MIAF claims to be the largest selection of Australian animated films at any festival in the world.
“Nobody screens more Australian animation than MIAF,” says the official website, which states that the festival “offers up an exciting glimpse on Australia’s rising stars and the Australian Panorama makes sure we offer the home-ground advantage to as many local animators as we can possibly squeeze in.”
MIAF this year includes the Australian Showcase (which is the official opening screening), the International Competition (featuring six programs of films from around the world), the Motion Capture Showcase (curated by Deakin University’s Motion Lab), Indigenous Animation Forum (a day-long forum), the Kids Program (full of animated gems) and Late Night Bizarre (“animated specimens from the wrong side of the tracks”).
One of the feature films is Junk Head (pictured above) an insane-looking independent animation made entirely by one person. It is based in a distant future, where “mankind attains longevity through gene manipulation” but “in exchange, the ability to reproduce is lost.”
A full festival pass costs $160 (or $130 for students) and a mini pass (consisting of six screenings) will set you back $96 (or $78 for students). For more information, head over to the official website or consult ACMI.
