A feast of international films at
Cineme Animation Festival, Nov. 6-9

Cineme, the first Chicago International Animation Festival takes place Nov. 6-9 with something for everyone in the technologically expanding field of animation at the Biograph Theatre and DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus.

Cineme was organized by producers Brooke English and Lee Litas, who returned earlier this year from several years in L.A. to set up Dreamation, an animation studio in Chicago.

The festival will showcase a magnitude of 28 programs, 14 workshops and panel discussions with famous names in animation and dozens of exhibits.

The roster of features, TV shows, documentaries, student films and Web animation was judged by a blue ribbon international panel. It included leaders from Sony Pictures Imageworks, Klasky Csupo, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Pixar, Dreamworks SKG, and, locally, from Bix Pix and Columbia College.

Screening highlights include: The U .S. premiere of Jill Thompson’s feature, “Scary Godmother,” based on the Chicagoan’s popular children’s books; Satoshi Kon’s anime film, “Millennium Actress”; behind-the-scenes footage from cult animator Bill Plympton’s “Wild Hair”; and a documentary about original Disney animators, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, the talent behind Bambi,” “Pinocchio,” “The Jungle Book” and more.

Le Meridien Hotel is the setting for the Nov. 6 opening night gala at 7:30, MC’d by Ch. 7’s Janet Davies. Tickets are $125; proceeds benefit Gilda’s Club.

The festival ends Nov. 9 with the Awards Ceremony presented for Best in Show, the One to Watch, Cutting Edge and the Audience Choice, plus a dozen category awards, at the Cultural Center. Tickets are $45 and include a catered reception in the GAR Rotunda.

Screenings take place at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln; exhibits, special events and panel discussions at DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus. Tickets are $6 adults, $5 children.

Go to http://www.cineme.org/2003/schedule.phtml for a complete schedule. Info at www.cineme.org or call 312/527-4444. FESTIVAL