16 Thought-Provoking Short Films: The 19th Annual Animation Show of Shows Returns to Theaters | ANIMATIONWorld
AnimationWorld Magazine — October 17, 2017
16 Thought-Provoking Short Films: The 19th Annual Animation Show of Shows Returns to Theaters
The Animation Show of Shows returns to theaters across North America this fall and beyond, presenting 16 exceptional and inspiring animated shorts from around the world. ASOS19 represents the work of artists from eight countries, including nine women. Funny, moving, engaging and thought-provoking, the Animation Show of Shows not only has something for everyone, but is also a remarkable and insightful microcosm of humanity at large.
“Because animation is such a natural medium for dealing with abstract ideas and existential concerns, the Animation Show of Shows has always included a number of thoughtful and engaging films,” says founder and curator Ron Diamond. “However, more than in previous years, I believe that this year’s program really offers contemporary animation that expresses deeply felt issues in our own country and around the world.”
For 19 years, the Animation Show of Shows has been presenting new and innovative short films to appreciative audiences at animation studios, schools and, since 2015, theaters around the world. Over the years, 36 of the films showcased in the Animation Show of Shows went on to receive Academy Award nominations, with 10 films winning the Oscar. Founded and curated by producer Ron Diamond, the Animation Show of Shows is funded by major studios, companies, schools and hundreds of animation lovers located all around the globe.
These films include Niki Lindroth von Bahr’s Annecy Grand Prix-winning The Burden, a melancholy, funny and moving film that explores the tribulations, hopes and dreams of a group of night-shift employees, uniquely capturing the zeitgeist of our time. At the other end of the spectrum, David OReilly’s playful and profound Everything, based on the work of the late philosopher Alan Watts, explores the interconnectedness of the universe and the multiplicity of perspectives that underlie reality.
