Dubai, 08 October 2017:  DIFF is once again inviting all budding animators to enter The Young Animators Award, which returns to the Festival for a third year. The competition is encouraging 13-18 year-olds across the UAE to apply for a chance to win a workshop with some of the region’s most talented animators, and go on to create their own short. All submissions will then be judged by a panel of experts, with the winning film lighting up the big screen at the 14th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival in December.

 

Following the success of previous competition editions, DIFF alongside Taaleem, one of the largest education providers in the UAE, and SAE Dubai, a leading educator in the creative media industries, have joined forces once again for the Young Animators Award. The aim of the Award is to encourage and engage youngsters in the wonderful world of film animation. 

 

The competition is now open for submissions, with interested participants asked to submit a 250-word summary about their interest in animation and cinema, and how the creative arts contribute to their happiness. The programme will then see selected participants join a stop-motion animation workshop from 16-18 November, 2017. The talented young participants will learn about everything from storyboarding and scriptwriting to filming techniques, sound design and editing. The workshop will result in the creation of videos that will be judged for their creativity and content as well as their technical ability.

 

Commenting on the Young Animators Award, Managing Director of the Dubai International Film Festival, Shivani Pandya, said: “We are delighted to support the Young Animators Award, an initiative that aims to bring filmmaking and the magical world of animation directly to young people, and boost creativity in the UAE. It is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop their knowledge and skills in the exciting medium of animation, and learn from industry and education professionals, culminating in the production of their very own short film.”

 

Taaleem, sponsors of the initiative, will also help by raising awareness and encouraging participation. Clive Pierrepont, Director of Communications at Taaleem added: 

“Over the past three years, The Young Animators Award has been a great showcase for some incredibly gifted youngsters. This initiative is an amazing opportunity for them to hone their nascent, creative talents and work with mentors from the industry.”

 

SAE will provide the venue and post-production support necessary for the Young Animators Award workshop. Mrs. Tasnim Saleh, Campus Academic Coordinator, SAE Institute Dubai, commented: “This is a great opportunity for young animators in the UAE and a pioneering step towards growing the thriving animation industry in the region. Animation is now used in a wide range of fields, from artistic expression through film, to creating visualizations and learning material for science and educations, all the way to saving lives through the 3D printing organs in the medical field, and as the technology advances everyday, animation is quickly turning our imaginations, and the future, into reality”.

 

Entrants must submit their 250-word summary by 10th November 2017 via the Festival’s website: Diff.ae/yaa. 

 

Ticket packages are on sale now for the 14th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival which will take place from the 6th December – 13th December, 2017.