Underdogs to be rewarded at the 2010 UTS: Sydney International Animation Festival

With the second UTS: Sydney International Animation Festival set to launch in Sydney on 24 September 2010, emerging animators have a chance to get a leg up in the industry through the Sixty40 Proto-Ninja Award.

The Sixty40 Proto-Ninja Award will consist of $999.99 cash plus a two-month mentorship with Sixty40, a design and animation company that combines the love of creativity with the reality of commercial production.

Entrants must create a new work of between 40 and 60 seconds length, which follows the theme ‘Underdog’.

Deadline for entries is 6th August 2010.

“The focus of the entry should be on telling a story that strikes anemotional chord around the theme of the underdog,” said Sixty40’sanimation director Matt Taylor.  “So, we’re looking for films that arefunny, sad, inspirational or evoke some other emotional response.”

Production techniques used are completely open and could includestop-frame, traditional 2D, motion graphics, 3D, photography, puppetry,film or video. The result must ensure a compelling experience for theviewer rather than just a display of technical prowess.

“We use the term ‘ninja’ to signify an animator or designer withsuperior skills, vision and passion who can be relied on to not onlypull their own weight in a studio but also to bring fresh uniquequalities to their work. A ‘proto-ninja’ is a ninja-in-the-making whohas not yet had the chance to unleash their talents on the world. Thementorship will give the winner time, resources and guidance to helpthem develop their film, experience and secret powers on their pathtowards full Ninja-dom” continues Taylor.

Ten finalists will be screened and the winner announced at the openingnight of the UTS: Sydney International Animation Festival, Friday 24September, 2010. As well, the ten finalists will have their workstreamed from the Proto-Ninja award website for a period of 12 monthsor until the 2011 winner is announced.

In 2010 the Festival will showcase sessions such as the AustralianPanorama, SIGGRAPH Highlights and the wonderfully twisted Late NightBizarre, along with a new batch of animation from France, the US, UKand China to mention a few. After the success of last year’sinternational guest speakers Clare Kitson, former commissioning editorfor the UK’s Channel 4, and Oscar winning Canadian animator ChrisLandreth, 2010 will continue to provide access to the movers andshakers of the global animation industry.

Full details about the competition are available HERE