"Women in Indie Animation" show at the Metrograph

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (the people who give out the Oscars) has been very active here in NYC, programming several special screenings.

Last Friday, the Academy invited four of the biggest female animators living in the NYC area to a night of their films at the Metrograph Theater, located just south of Chinatown in Manhattan. The four filmmakers were Emily Hubley, Candy Kugel, Signe Baumane and Debra Solomon.

First of all, I had never been to the Metrograph before.  It's situated in a backwater area of town - but this area is starting to become quite stylish.  The Metrograph itself is very cool, with a bar, restaurant and library in addition to their screening room.  I think some people go there just to hang out.

So the Academy had a small pre-screening reception, then we all moved to the packed cinema to watch all of the animated shorts.  After that, the real show began with Peggy Stern moderated a Q&A session with the participants.  It was then that everyone found out what I already knew, that Signe and Debbie, aside from making funny films, were even more hilarious in person. They brought down the house with their personal anecdotes and crazy comments - they should start a comedy team.

It was a fabulous show, then we all retreated to the bar for free drinks and food, courtesy of the Academy. 

If you're in the neighborhood of 7 Ludlow Street, check out the Metrograph's schedule - they have some fabulous shows! 

I want to give everyone an update on "Trump Bites".  The fourth episode, called "The Unraveling", is playing this week in Los Angeles at the Downtown Independent Theater, at 251 Main St.  Check this link for showtimes and tickets:  https://trumpbites.bpt.me

The short will play there until September 27.  

Also, I want to tell everyone about a political cartoon and caricature show that the great Steve Brodner is putting together at SVA.  Not only will they have some terrific illustrations but they will also feature some of my "Trump Bites" animated shorts.  If you're around NYC on October 11, be sure to stop by at 601 West 26th St., 15th Floor, to meet some of the greatest cartoonists alive today.  And I'll be there too.  See you there!

--Bill Plympton

Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival

Once again, I helped program the Animated Shorts for Richard Paradise and his Martha's Vineyard Film Festival. It's a lovely festival that takes place every September in a lovely town called Vineyard Haven.

But this year, we had a special guest - my Scribble Junkies blog partner, the amazing Patrick Smith.  The cool thing was that we got to drive up there in Pat's truck, with both of our families along for the ride.  It was quite an adventurous trip, through 4 states and on 5 ferries.  During that long trip, all we talked about was animation and other animators.

Unfortunately, the weather really sucked, it was cold and cloudy - though we still spent a lot of time on the beach.  One day, we took a side-trip to Oak Bluffs, where we saw an amazing religious retreat and all these incredible gingerbread houses.  I felt like I was in a Disney film, or stoned, or both.  Then we visited the harbor, where we had the absolute best lobster roll - too bad I can't remember the name of the bar. 

The screening of the animated shorts program was a big success.  A good crowd was there, ready to laugh - and the line-up was a big hit.  The most popular films were "Hybrids" - a computer film where garbage takes over the ocean, "Enough" by Anna Mantzaris - a very deadpan look at people who won't take it any more, "Catharina" - a dark comedy by Britt Raes about a girl whose pets keep dying, "Pour 585" by Pat Smith - a timely film about power and how to control it, and "Negative Space" by Ru Kuwahata and Max Porter. 

So, even though the weather sucked, the MVIFF event always keeps us joyful and fulfilled. 

In other news, it looks like I'l be premiering my brand new "Trump Bites" short at the Downtown Independent Theater in L.A. next week, in order to qualify it for the Oscars.  I believe it's my best "Trump Bites" short ever.  If you're in the L.A. area, check it out, this one is called "The Unraveling", and it's co-written by Donald himself.  Watch my Twitter and Facebook feeds for more info on this, to be posted soon. 

Thanks for reading my Scribbles! 

Bill P.

"Pour 585" animated post card..

I used to send out post cards in the mail.. I really miss doing that because I felt like I was sending out tiny pieces of artwork to all my contacts.  Since that's gone that way of the dodo, I thought of a new thing, I'm really obsessed with gif's (btw I pronounce "JIF").. anyway, here's the animated postcard for my latest film, the award winning "Pour 585".. enjoy

Heading to Martha's Vineyard this weekend with my scribble junkie colleague bill plympton. should be fun, it will be the first time that i've seen it screened in public.  Here's a partial list of upcoming screenings:

CARTON FEST INT DE CORTOS DE ANIMATION, SEP 4, 2018
ASHEVILLE FILM FESTIVAL, SEP 8, 2018
MARTHA’S VINEYARD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, SEP 4, 2018
INSHORT FILM FESTIVAL, SEP 6, 2018
CHANIARTOON 2018, SEP 17, 2018   
BRECKENRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL, SEP 20, 2018
SANTA CRUZ FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 3, 2018
ELLENSBURG FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 5, 2018
QUEEN CITY FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 4, 2018
WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 10, 2018
BEND FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 11, 2018
SAN JOSE INT SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 11, 2018
KANSAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 12, 2018
SODAK MOTION FESTIVAL, OCT 25, 2018
CELTIC ANIMAITON FILM COMPETITION, OCT 26, 2018
SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 27, 2018
CARTOONS UNDERGROUND SINGAPORE , OCT 27 2018
OJAI FILM FESTIVAL, NOV 1, 2018
ALAMEDA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, NOV 12, 2018