Animation fans in New York City have an amazing opportunity this weekend to see some great animation and at the same time raise money for victims of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Films for Hope, curated by Justin Leach, is a special showcase of animated short films from all around the world. On September 11th, exactly six months after the disaster that devastated Japan on March 11th, this one-day event brings together thrilling animation that display the creativity of artists inspired by Japanese animation techniques and storytelling.
The festival features the East Coast premiere of Pixar’s latest animated short film, La Luna. Director Enrico Casarosa will be on hand to give a presentation on La Luna, as well as discuss his efforts to help Japan through grassroots fundraising. Dai Sato will present Five Numbers!, his brand new animated feature. Mr. Sato will also talk about his efforts to help those impacted by the earthquake as well as share his thoughts on how the disaster will impact the animation industry of Japan.
This festival is a joint initiative of the Film Program and the U.S.-Japan Innovators Network. 50% of all proceeds will go to Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund. All of the films shown have been graciously donated in support of the project.
Once Upon a Dream: Kids’ Block
Sunday, September 11, 1 PM – 2 PM
Le Royaume by Oussama Bouacheria, Julien Chheng, Sébastien Hary, Aymeric Kevin, Ulysse Malassagne, Franck Monier, Nuno Alves Rodrigues
Mobile by Verena Fels
Happy Bogeys 1 by Takashi Kurihara
Paraphernalia by Sabrina Cotugno
DreamGiver by Tyler Carter
Happy Bogeys 2 by Takashi Kurihara
Burning Safari by Vincent Aupetit, Jeanne Irzenski, Florent De La Taille, Maxime Maleo, Aurelien Predal, Claude-William Trebutien
Salesman Pete by Marc Bouyer, Max Loubaresse, Anthony Vivien
Happy Bogeys 3 by Takashi Kurihara
The Arctic Circle by Kevin Parry
Lizard Planet by Tomoyoshi Joko
Happy Bogeys 4 by Takashi Kurihara
Shell Out by Sunmee Dong
Gulp by Sumo Science (Ed Patterson and Will Studd)
Out of Sight by Yu Ya-Ting
Komaneko: The Curious Cat
Sunday, September 11, 2:30 PM — 3:30 PM
2006, 60 min., 35mm, colour. No dialogue.
From Tsuneo Goda, the director of the Domo-kun series. The stop motion animation is done by Hirokazu Minegishi, who got his start as an assistant to Japan’s top puppet animators Tadanari Okamoto and Kihachiro Kawamoto.
Komaneko spends her days in her attic making films with her handmade dolls, in this puppet animation featuring five short episodes. Komaneko’s pastel hues, kawaii characters and storylines delight both children and adults alike.
Great for kids 2+! All ages welcome.
Sector Animauteurs
Sunday, September 11, 4 PM — 5:15 PM
Fifteen animated short films including Oscar winner La maison en Petits Cubes and Fantoche winner In a Pig’s Eye.
Rain Town by Hiroyasu Ishida
Caffeine by Danae Diaz and Patricia Luna
Happy Bogeys 5 by Takashi Kurihara
In a Pig's Eye by Atsushi Wada
Happy Bogeys 6 by Takashi Kurihara
Paths of Hate by Damian Nenow
Happy Bogeys 7 by Takashi Kurihara
Key Lime Pie by Trevor Jimenez
Kung Fu Cooking Girls by Jin-Roh
Grand Central by Charlotte Cambon, Théo Guignard, Noé Lecombre, Hugo Moreno, Soizic Mouton
Hello Brooklyn by Alice Bissonet, Benjamin Moreau, Corentin Penloup, Marion Roussel, Louis Thomas
Happy Bogeys 8 by Takashi Kurihara
Alma by Rodrigo Blaas
The Lighthouse Keeper by David Francois, Rony Hotin, Jeremie Moreau, Baptiste Rogron, Gaelle Thierry, Mailys Vallade
La Maison en Petits Cubes by Kunio Kato
La Luna and Five Numbers!
Centerpiece Presentation
Sunday, September 11, 5:30 PM — 7 PM
La Luna, 2011 - New York Premiere
6 min. 51 sec., 35 mm, color, Directed by Enrico Casarosa (Pixar)
Five Numbers!, 2011 - U.S. Premiere
24 min., DVD, color, Directed by Hiroaki Ando (Bandai Visual)
La Luna is the timeless fable of a young boy who is coming of age in the most peculiar of circumstances. Tonight is the very first time his Papa and Grandpa are taking him to work. In an old wooden boat they row far out to sea, and with no land in sight, they stop and wait. A big surprise awaits the little boy as he discovers his family's most unusual line of work.
In Five Numbers, four ex-convicts woke up in the ultimate prison. They do not know why they are there. The race to escape the prison ensues. The only person who seems to know the way out is the fifth prisoner, a mysterious old man with a black cat.
Screenings followed by a conversation with Enrico Casarosa (Director / Head of Story, Pixar Animation Studios) on the making of La Luna and Dai Sato (Scriptwriter of Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Tekken: Blood Vengeance) to discuss post-3/11 Japan and the anime community.
Followed by a reception.
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TICKETS FOR EACH PROGRAM
$10/$7 Japan Society members, students and seniors
ONE-DAY PASS
$34/$24 Japan Society members, students and seniors
(Offer available only at Japan Society Box Office or by telephone at (212) 715-1258. Offer not available online.)
