SCADFILM's signature SCAD AnimationFest returns to Atlanta Sept. 22-24

Three-day festival to feature screenings, panel discussions, presentations, and top talent from Hulu and Netflix as well as the debut of SCAD Atlanta’s new XR stage

ATLANTA — AUG. 30, 2022 — The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is thrilled to announce SCADFILM’s signature SCAD AnimationFest returns Sept. 22–24, 2022 on-ground at SCAD Atlanta, with select sessions livestreamed for global audiences and animation enthusiasts. The highly anticipated three-day festival will feature sessions with luminaries from Hulu and Netflix as well as accomplished SCAD alumni at the forefront of the industry. SCAD AnimationFest attendees will go behind-the-scenes of major films and TV shows as they explore what’s next in animation, motion media design, visual effects, virtual production, and all facets of creative technology in entertainment.

"SCAD’s preeminence shines at SCAD AnimationFest," said SCAD President and Founder Paula S. Wallace. "This signature SCAD event returns once again to showcase our Bees’ multitude of talents, from gaming to visual effects to motion media design to animation and beyond! In true SCAD style, we will unveil our latest SCAD wow-factor: our second state-of-the-art XR stage — the same equipment Disney, Universal, and every major studio employs to conjure immersive virtual worlds that mesmerize fans. SCAD AnimationFest celebrates in-demand disciplines SCAD grads are poised to lead for decades to come."

At this year’s SCAD AnimationFest, SCADFILM is honored to recognize Kelci Parker, Hulu’s Vice President of Animation, as the 2022 Award of Excellence recipient for her contributions to the animation and entertainment industries. Parker will be presented with her award at an In Conversation session where she will share insights about her illustrious career, industry achievements, and accolades.

During the festival, SCAD will debut the university’s newest state-of-the-art mixed reality (XR) stage for virtual production at SCAD Atlanta’s Digital Media Center. The XR stage, designed exclusively for SCAD, is an innovative production game-changer and filmmaking’s next frontier. SCAD School of Animation and Motion and SCAD School of Film and Acting students will be among the first in the world actively collaborating and working with this new technology, ensuring they will be industry-ready at an elite level upon graduation.

One of the most anticipated sessions at SCAD AnimationFest is the premiere of an original short film by student animators from SCAD Animation Studios, the world’s only animation studio at a university. Through SCAD AnimationFest, students concept, write, perform, and animate 2D and 3D films. This year, the festival will present a screening and behind-the-scenes look at The Pope’s Dog, an exceptional 2D animated film by a team of student collaborators from SCAD’s top-ranked animation, visual effects, motion media design, sound design, and interactive design and game development programs.

Dynamic conversations and panels at SCAD AnimationFest include:

• In Conversation with Hulu Vice President of Animation Kelci Parker
• The Evolution of XR Production Technology and an XR stage demonstration
• An in-depth look at the animation of Marvel’s Hit-Monkey on Hulu with Floyd County Productions
• ASIFA-South Industry Insights on Georgia Animation
• Real-Time Game Visualization and Finals Animation with Halon Entertainment
• A conversation with Awesome Inc. on the studio’s newest animated series

Talented SCAD alumni will present their expertise and insights in sessions that include:

• A screening and behind-the-scenes look at Netflix’s The Sea Beast with SCAD alum and animation director Zach Parrish (B.F.A., animation, 2007) and SCAD alum and line producer Steven Schweikart (M.F.A., computer art, 2004)
• An Alumni Voices panel with Alana Mango (M.F.A., animation, 2021), 2D animator, M2 Animation; Jaykishan Patel (B.F.A., animation, 2020), senior designer, UPS; Emily Rodriguez (B.F.A., animation, 2020), 2D animator and designer; and Lauren Brown (M.F.A., illustration, 2011), art director

Animation is one of the largest and most popular of SCAD’s preeminent degree programs. The SCAD animation program has been named a top program in the U.S. year after year by Animation Career Review. SCAD continues to innovate its academic curriculum and recently announced the formation of four new schools of study, including the SCAD School of Animation and Motion, bringing together the university’s top-ranked animation, motion media design, and visual effects programs to create a powerhouse of academics, talent, and next-generation technology. This advancement, along with the formation of the new School of Film and Acting, School of Creative Technology, and School of Visual Communication, exemplifies SCAD’s reputation as the global leader for art and design in higher education and its mission to prepare students for creative careers.

"The restructuring of our academic programs to reflect technical and creative innovation places SCAD at the vanguard of educating the next generation of artists using animation, motion media design, visual effects, and other filmmaking professions to entertain and inform," said Leigh Seaman, Senior Executive Director of SCADFILM. "SCAD AnimationFest is our annual celebration of excellence in these fields and provides our audiences the unique opportunity to engage with industry luminaries whose work transcends traditional storytelling techniques. In 2022, accomplished SCAD alumni will join artists, directors, and executives to explore the ever-broadening scope of the animation industry."

SCAD AnimationFest is presented by SCADFILM, the university’s leading programmer of events for students and working professionals in animation, film and television, interactive game design, motion media design, virtual reality, and digital media arts. SCAD AnimationFest passes will be available for sale starting Thursday, Sept. 1. For passes, full schedule, and more information, please visit scad.edu/animationfest.

SCADFILM

SCADFILM produces premier events for students and professionals working in film, television, animation, gaming, AR/VR, performing arts, and video production. Audiences experience year-round programming that includes screenings, master classes, and behind-the-scenes presentations from industry luminaries. SCADFILM’s events calendar includes SCAD AnimationFest, SCAD TVfest, and SCAD GamingFest, plus the Summer Storytelling Series.

The preeminent authority in film and television with the only university-run casting office in the country, SCAD is driving the multibillion-dollar film and television industry in Atlanta, Business Facilities Magazine’s No. 1 city for film production, and Savannah, MovieMaker’s No. 1 small city for filmmaking. SCAD students, alumni, and faculty have won Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Reels, Tonys, Annies, and more. More than 8,100 SCAD students and alumni work in the fields of animation, entertainment, motion pictures, media production, writing, editing, broadcast media, and performing arts, with over 2,800 in Georgia alone.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 15,700 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 120 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university’s renowned research lab and prototype generator.

SCAD is No. 1 in the U.S. according to Art & Object’s 2021 Best Art Schools ranking, with additional top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in an exceptional alumni employment rate. For the past four years, 99% of SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more.