This fall, School of Film/Video Experimental Animation Program faculty Maureen Selwood curated programs of animated films for three international festivals in India, Argentina and Cuba. The showcases have included films by 10 CalArts MFA Experimental Animation alums and students as well as works by Selwood herself. The last festival will be from Dec. 7-14 in Artemisa, Cuba, at the Film and TV School of San Antonio de los Baños (EICTV).
The first festival on Selwood’s tour, Chittrakatha 13, was held at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India, from Oct. 22 to Nov 1. Selwood was a member of the jury at the festival that featured the student film program and a selection of works by Selwood. Earlier this month (Nov. 13-15), the Expotoons 2013 festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina, also featured programs by students and Selwood.
For the EICTV screening next month, CalArts faculty Suzan Pitt will head to Cuba, where her work will also be presented in a separate program.
The festivals included screenings by Manuel Barenboim (MFA 13), Olivia Taussig (MFA 12), Tempe Hale (MFA 14), Asavari Kumar (MFA 14), Sara Gunnarsdóttir (MFA 12), Ethan Clarke (MFA 12), Sean Buckelew (MFA 12), Vita Hsu (MFA 13), Enrique Rivera (MFA 14) and Meejin Hong (MFA 12).
Selwood commented on the student film program via email:
These student films demonstrate how animation practice reveals a reverence for life and humanity with philosophical underpinnings. Humor, aggression and contraction, always a part of this mimetic form, are realized through vital artistry and highly developed technical skills. The audience in India was deeply engaged in experiencing the experimental films of our students. I am excited that this rich program has made its way to far reaching audiences.
A gallery of film stills from students and Selwood is above.