Hal Miles Imagination Studios to host first-ever animation festival in Savannah

on Thursday,February 04,2010 19:02

The inaugural Savannah International Animation Festival is slated to be held this weekend, the Savannah Morning News reports.

Independent artists, professionals and students who specialize in animation, visual effects and animatronics will attend the event, which is sponsored by Savannah-based Hal Miles Imagination Studios, according to the festival''s website.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view screenings of more than 60 short animated films, listen to lectures and participate in panel discussions.

They will also have the opportunity to view part of a the 28,000-piece collection of movie props and original animation that is owned by Hal and Nancy Miles, who own the studio. The collection includes items that were featured in The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Gumby Show.

In addition, program participants will be able to compete for awards in categories such as stop motion, computer, traditional, experimental, web and student animation, as well as visual effects.

Winners in each category will receive a custom-designed trophy named for French inventor Charles Emile Reynaud.

Hal Miles told the media outlet that his company is sponsoring the festival in order to "present animation from all over the world and have a beautiful event for a wonderful community."