Last Thursday, an immense amount of laughter and awe filled Hunt Library as a variety of eccentric and beautiful short films was showcased across the library’s auditorium. On Oct. 25, NC State hosted The Animation Show of Shows, a traveling selection of the year’s best animated short films, which were curated and presented by Ron Diamond, the Acme Filmworks founder.
Marian Fragola, the director of Program Planning and Outreach at NCSU Libraries, reflected on why NC State decided to bring The Animation Show of Shows to the campus community.
“NC State’s Art and Design Department actually encouraged us to bring this event to campus,” Fragola said. “We thought it was very important to give students and the campus community access to some of the most interesting cutting-edge animation that is being done internationally.”
This year, The Animation Show of Shows included 16 exciting and completely original animated short films from eight different countries, including nine that were created by women. Most of the films featured at this event focused on our place in society and how we may fit into the world, which is extremely fitting during this time of increasing global unrest and instability.
One of the films shown was Niki Lindroth von Bahr’s Annecy Grand Prix-winning “My Burden,” a funny and moving film that explores the challenges and dreams of a group of night-shift employees. However, these night shift employees are animals, ranging from fish to mice, and express their feelings through elaborate and highly entertaining musical numbers.
On the other hand, David OReilly’s short film “Everything” uses the visuals of a video game he created in late 2017, which bears the same name. He also used the work and quotes of philosopher Alan Watts to discuss the interconnectedness of the universe, while showcasing the complex gameplay of his creation.
The 50-year old short film “Hangman,” by Paul Julian and Les Goldman was also featured at the event. Based on a poem by Maurice Ogden, this film was often showcased to students in the 1980s in many schools across the country. Even though it was the oldest film of the event, it may be the most relevant. The film gave the audience a glimpse into the mind of a bystander, highlighting the value of individual and social responsibility in times of injustice and oppression.
Another crowd favorite was “Dear Basketball,” a film created by Glen Keane, a veteran Disney animator. Keane brought to life the poem written by Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, which he wrote on the occasion of his retirement from the NBA.
Alyssa Phan, a first-year student in the College of Textiles, spoke out about her experience at this event towards the end of the showcase.
“I loved the Animation Show of Shows,” Phan said. “It had such a wide variety of animations. It had me crying, laughing, and sometimes weirded out. This was my first time going to an event like this, and I am so glad I went.”
Over the last 38 years, the films showcased at The Animation Show of Shows have went on to be nominated for, and sometimes win, Academy Awards. Fragola highlighted how this event could possibly inspire NC State Design students.
“NC State students who create animations through their classes in Art and Design are so talented,” Fragola said. “I hope The Animation Show of Shows will help highlight animation as an art form that everyone can enjoy.”
Though The Animation Show of Shows is no longer playing at Hunt Library, they will be hosting a film screening of the documentary “Capturing the Flag,” which is an unexpected story about American democracy. This event will be free and open to the public, and will be taking place on Nov. 5 at 7pm.
