Talk about doing Indian animation proud!
Best known for its multiple award winning (14 at last count) 2D animated film Raju & I, Mumbai based animation and Special Effects studio Animagic India’s films were recently showcased at AnimatedExeter, an animation festival in Exeter, UK.
The seventh editon of the festival was held from 13 to 25 February and featured multiple screenings of Animagic India’s package of films (60 minutes each including Raju & I, Maaa and The Earth Song from ChakaChak).
Along with world renowned artist and illustrator, the Oscar Winning Alan Lee (Concept Designer for LOTR Trilogy as well as The Centenary issue of the Book, The Lord of The Rings) Animagic India’s Chetan Sharma and Gayatri Rao’s presence and workshops were major highlights of the event. Interestingly the Animagic duo were the first Asian artists to be invited to AnimatedExeter.
Speaking to Animation ‘xpress Animagic India’s Gayatri Rao stated,” We visited Exeter for three days from the 17th to the 20th of Feb. I was very impressed by the amount of importance Exeter gave to animation and the way in which they brought it close to its people. It seemed as if everyone from Exeter participated in the festival. There was a lot of positive energy and the enthusiasm of the organisers was very dominant”
“The audience came to see films of the world and our films were screened alongside films like Howl’s Moving Castle and The Curse of the Werewolf. It was wonderful to see them feel and care for the characters from our films” added Chetan Sharma.
“Two of our screenings were held in the University of Dartington. The music and art varsity is based on the lines of Shanti Niketan and has a strong India connect what with the legendary Tagore himself having visited the place several times. The screenings were held in a Cinema Hall which is located inside a Barn built in the 1100s. Everything about the place was so beautiful” he further added.
Other highlights included a special exhibition of cels, character sketches and stills from Animagic India’s repertoire, screening of Yuri Norstein’s Tale of Tales introduced by Clare Kitson and complimented by a selection of the best Russian Short Films; workshops and presentations by Royal College of Art’s (UK) Joan Ashworth who gave insights into the creative process involved in her 3D animated film How Mermaids Breed and the screening of children’s classic ‘The Snowman’ accompanied by the Devon Youth Orchestra and Exeter Cathedral Choir with special guest appearances.
Exeter is in the South West part of England close to four hours from London. The Festival is organised by the Exeter City Council, which is a very active body and organises around six music and culture related festivals every year.
The main person behind the event is Elizabeth Harkman, Arts, Festivals & Events Officer at the Exeter City Council. Harkman had seen Raju & I at Flickerfest an animation festival in Australia around a year ago. Moved by the film she contacted Animagic India a year ago for participation in the event this year.
Animagic India which just completed its animated short film Maaa recently is also working on the Visual Effects for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s forthcoming multistarrer Eklavya along with Prime Focus. Animagic India director Sumant Rao is heading the VFX for the movie.
“Eklavya is something that’s worth looking forward too. Besides the VFX, we have also worked extensively on the storyboards, character concepts, looks and styling in conjunction with the team” concluded Chetan.