VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA ― The Spark Computer Graphics Society (Spark CG) hosts SPARK ANIMATION 2021, Western Canada’s largest celebration of animation, and British Columbia’s only Oscar Accredited festival.
The 13th annual event runs from 28 October to 7 November 2021, and is an opportunity for filmmakers and studios to showcase their work. This year’s extended program running over 11 days, is once again powered by Eventive, a technology platform designed to enhance online presentations. Programming will be available worldwide.
Every year, the SPARK ANIMATION Festival brings together a talented and prestigious group of individuals from both major studios and small production houses, as well as independent creators, directors, and executives. The Jury brings a broad range of viewpoints and differing experiences to the festival.
This year’s SPARK ANIMATION will feature over 60 presentations presented over seven tracks:
Animation for Change – presentations & discussions on the role animation plays in social change
D&I Summit – presentations focused on diversity and inclusion. Co-produced with Women in Animation Vancouver
Independent Auteurs – conversations with some of the animation industry's most celebrated independent creators
Legends & Landmarks – a celebration of the talent and legacy of important animated projects with the creators who made them happen
Masterclasses – learn the how, why, and what to do, from some of the industry’s greatest animators
Meet the Filmmakers – conversations with filmmakers selected to the festival
Production Sessions – connect with the artists behind-the-scenes, and get insight into the making of some of today’s greatest animation features, shorts, and series.
Among this year’s guests are the legendary Bill Plympton, The Simpsons' co-creator David Silverman, British powerhouses Joanna Quinn and Candy Guard, and the "enfant terrible of cartoons" Ralph Bakshi.
The Conference will also include presentations from Aardman Animations, Bardel Entertainment, Cartoon Saloon, DNEG Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Framestore, Netflix, Pixar Animation Studios, Skydance Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, Titmouse Animation, and Walt Disney Animation among others.
This year’s festival will feature over 150 films. Among this year's selections are Japanese director Yusuke Hirota's Poupelle of Chimney Town, a stunningly beautiful adaptation of writer, actor, and comedian Akihiro Nishino's best-selling picture book about a chimney sweep and a friendly monster named Poupelle who decide to prove that stars are real.
Making its North American premiere is Ryan Braund's sci-fi mind-bender Absolute Denial from the UK. The story, which was written, produced, and animated by Braund, tells the story of a genius programmer who builds a supercomputer only to lose control over the AI.
SPARK is also pleased to celebrate local talent with a screening of Vancouver Island-based writer, director, producer, and animator Denver Jackson's Esluna: The Crown of Babylon, the latest action-adventure set in the expanding retro-futuristic world of Esluna.
The All-Access Pass is the best value for watching everything SPARK ANIMATION 2021 has to offer including films, conference programming, and live events for $60 CAD (+ tax). Additional pass options are available. For more about passes and to see programming, visit
sparkanimation.ca.