ASIFA-International puts together a magazine that goes to all our members all over the world. Each chapter usually sends a report of what they've been up to for each issue. Many thanks to Ray Kosarin for the editing!
Here's our latest update:
ASIFA-Atlanta continues to be very active, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and board. Recently we've been working more with other organizations, such as Society for Animation Studies, whose conference will be held in July at Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta campus as well as at the High Museum of Art. Harvey Deneroff, professor at SCAD-Atlanta and one of the founders of SAS, asked us to present a program of excellent local animation, which we are working on now.
ASIFA-Atlanta is also working with the Center for Puppetry Arts--we helped spread the word about a night of stop-motion films, curated by Alan Louis, which included shorts such as Harvie Krumpet and was very well attended.. ASIFA-Atlanta members received a discount on admission, and ASIFA-Atlanta screening coordinator Karl Sigler compiled the DVD that was shown.
Our most recent event was a special fund-raising screening of the beautiful and increasingly famous film, Sita Sings the Blues. We were absolutely delighted to show this film, for which we booked the larger of two screens available in Atlanta's historic Plaza theater. ASIFA-Atlanta president Brett W. Thompson gave a short introduction, which was followed by the trailer for Monster Road, the documentary on Bruce Bickford scheduled for a subsequent screening at the Center for Puppetry Arts. The Center has arranged for director Brett Ingram to attend and do a Q&A afterward!
Following the trailer, we showed a special video introduction that Nina Paley very generously recorded for us! She explained some background about the film, including its copyright issues, and announced how it has been released under Creative Commons, which means anyone can copy, publish, show, or remix the film. She also gave shout-outs to ASIFA-Atlanta's volunteer projectionist Bryan Fordney, Karl Sigler, and president Brett W. Thompson, as well as the ASIFA-Atlanta Board and door volunteers. Many thanks to Nina Paley for all her help, and to the Plaza for being so accomodating!
Exactly a week after Sita Sings the Blues, "PSST! 3" showed at the Plaza, coordinated by participant and Atlanta local Calvin Florian. "PSST! 3" is a diverse, creative series of collaborative short films made by many participants over the last year, and AISFA-Atlanta promoted this excellent event.
ASIFA-Atlanta's plans for the rest of 2009 include "Roll Yer Own", our annual showcase of local independent animated film; "Blowin' Smoke", the commerical counterpart to "Roll Yer Own"; "Animation Attack!", part of the Atlanta Underground Film Festival; and of course International Animation Day, which we always love. We are also very proud to be participating in the SAS conference.
As usual, we are continuing our recurring events, which include Joe Peery's weekly figure drawing class at Westwood College and the monthly Animators' Workshop at Manuel's Tavern, run by Karl Sigler.
Brett W. Thompson
