2020 is a special year for a number of iconic animated films.&nbsp; Celebrate the talent and legacy of these milestones with the creators who made them happen.

The Women of Disney•Pixar's Toy Story: Defining Digital Her-izons

A first-of-its-kind panel celebrating the 25th anniversary of "Toy Story" with producer Bonnie Arnold and the women behind the landmark film.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. Celebrated for its beautiful photorealistic visuals, the film was directed by Zack Snyder, developed by Animal Logic Entertainment and produced out of Animal Logic Studios in Australia. Over three years, a team of 500+ artists, technicians and support staff designed, developed and executed one of the most ambitious and visually rich animated films of our time. Tools and techniques never tried before were harnessed by Animal Logic to bring Kathryn Lasky fantasy books to life. This session brings together a panel of key players from the creative team who will discuss a range of topics and look back at the trials and tribulations of making this incredible film. Hear how the film came into development and what it was like to work with with Zack; the challenges of Animal Logic’s first 3D animated feature; developing feathers, fire and foliage; learning the ins and outs of owls and how a stunt team with cardboard wings and claws became the most helpful reference material when animating fight scenes. Presentation speakers are: • DAVID BURROWS• DAVID SCOTT&nbsp;• ERIC LEIGHTON• GRANT FRECKELTON• SIMON WHITELEY• ZAREH NALBANDIAN• IAN FAILES (moderator)

Legend of the Guardians: Owls of Ga'hoole – Celebrating the Trials & Tribulations, Ten Years On

This bittersweet tale explores the deep bond between father and daughter.&nbsp;Set against the wide Dutch landscape, the father bids farewell to his young girl.&nbsp;Through the seasons, the girl matures to a woman, raising a family of her own.&nbsp;Yet the longing for her father remains with her always. Awards2000 Grand Prize Holland Animation Festival2001 Atomfilms prize, Clermont Ferrand2001 Bafta Award2001 Oscar for best short Animated film2001 Palmares, Annecy

Father & Daughter

A father says goodbye to his young daughter and leaves. She awaits his return for days, seasons, years...

Michaël Dudok de Wit’s visual style and sense for storytelling has been unmistakable since the early days of his career. First nominated for an Academy Award® in 1994 for his short film The Monk &amp; the Fish, Dudok de Wit took home the prize for Best Short Film four years later with the astonishingly accomplished and poetic Father &amp; Daughter. Celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary, with an intimate conversation between Dudok de Wit as he discusses inspiration, style, the film’s enduring power, and how its success affected the director’s career. The conversation is moderated by film historian and educator Keith Blackmore. SPEAKER BIOS <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/b89d6889c2157f2e2c2fa118b2071fc6.jpg" width="176" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">MICHAËL DUDOK DE WIT Michaël Dudok de Wit (1953) grew up in the Netherlands, and he now lives in London where he directs TV commercials and independent short animated films. His shorts have won numerous international awards, including an Oscar® and a BAFTA award in 2001 for Father &amp; Daughter. His most recent film, The Red Turtle, is his first feature-length film, a Wild Bunch-Studio Ghibli coproduction, and it was made in France with Prima Linea Productions. Michael also illustrates children’s books and teaches animation at art colleges in England and abroad. <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/57c6d3134d822ea7c32ccf63b0ba8e88.jpg" width="178" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">KEITH BLACKMORE Throughout his entire life, Keith Blackmore has been a passionate cheerleader and voice for all things animated in Vancouver. As a member of the Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH chapter and Spark CG Society, Keith has helped produce and organize many animation and VFX events and festivals. As a long time instructor at the Vancouver Film School, Keith has educated, entertained and inspired thousands of students in the History of Animation &amp; media studies along the way. When he’s not teaching, talking or reading about animation, he’s working in his garden and tending to his honeybees.

In Conversation with Michaël Dudok de Wit

A conversation with director Michaël Dudok de Wit celebrating the 20th anniversary of his short film "Father & Daughter."

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The best way to experience this year's SPARK ANIMATION 2024 is with a full access pass! Fore more details click on the Festival Site link. You can purchase individual program tickets below.

Celebrate 15 years of the world's best animation SPARK ANIMATION! British Columbia's only Oscar®-accredited festival packs world-class films and talks into one grass-roots, volunteer run festival which is now available world-wide! We know animation. Share our passion with us!

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