An exciting mashup of screenings and live performances previewing four upcoming events:

• Northwest Animation Festival – May 17-19
• Experimental Film Festival Portland – May 20-26
• Improvisation Summit of Portland – May 31-June 1
• Risk/Reward Festival of New Performance – June 21-23

Michel Gagné — award-winning animator, comic artist, and game designer — gives a special presentation about his life in the pop-culture art world. Discussion will cover his creative process, work on the popular video game Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, and clips from his forthcoming animated film, The Saga of Rex. Presented by ASIFA-Portland and the Art Institute’s Inkwell Animation Club, supported by NW Animation Fest and others.

Donations will help support a new stop-motion film being created by a team of 20 Art Institute students. Get a sneak peek during the event!

Oregon-born Harry Smith was a pioneering beatnik genius who made experimental animation and was responsible for creating America’s single most important collection of folk music recordings. A panel discussion presented by Oregon Cartoon Institute in partnership with NW Animation Fest and the Hollywood Theatre.

Oregon Cartoon Institute presents an evening of films by Oregon-born animator Harry Smith. Film archivist Dennis Nyback will recreate Harry’s live projection techniques, using multiple projectors to alter, color and shape the moving image. Musical accompaniment by Matt Carlson and Jordan Dykstra. Sound design by Andrew Ritchey. Rani Singh, the director of the Harry Smith Archives at the Getty Institute, will introduce. Sheldon Renan and Darrin Daniel will join Rani onstage afterwards and take questions.

“I like my films because I didn’t make them: God made them.” —Harry Smith

Have a drink, then try making animation yourself. Attendees are provided with sharpie markers and lightboxes. Make twelve drawings, then pass them on to the next person. At the end of the night, all of the drawings are assembled… And we’ll have made a hilarious, chaotic short film together. Hosted by ASIFA-Portland, a chapter of the International Animation Society.

Meanwhile, we’ll also be screening Susco & Finka vs. Undead — a rough-hewn yet astonishing 30-minute claymation vampire-action film from Russia that transcends its flaws through sheer enthusiasm and achieves a sort of genius.

Animator/pianist Patrick Coan has created an innovative performance that blends live music, animation and video game technology. Projected imagery accompanies improvised melodies and explores the origin story of the Ancient Light. Audience members are invited to direct elements of the animation in real time, using customized game controllers.

Arrive early on Sunday for a live interview with some of the filmmakers in this year’s festival. “What keeps you inspired as an artist? What unusual tricks went into making your film? What advice do you have for aspiring animators?” …Bring questions of your own for an open Q&A at the end.

After the last film has screened, gather for an informal post-festival party at the Moon & Sixpence. It’s lively a British-style pub with some of the best Cornish pasties we’ve tasted.

The Seattle Experimental Animation Team presents a special one-night-only video installation. Valentine’s will be sparkling with multiple projections on windows, walls and a Flying Cinema Kite. Videos include recent animated shorts and an “exquisite corpse” film that was collectively created by eight Seattle animators based on the 1960 cult classic, The Little Shop of Horrors. Co-hosted by NW Animation Fest and Experimental Film Festival Portland.