Nik and I do love Portugal - so when we were invited to participate in the FIRST INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MEETING FOR ANIMATION ARTS we jumped at the chance. I was very pleased and honored to be invited to be a part of the International Jury along with renowned Ukrainian animator Evgeniy Sivokon and Portugal’s animation treasure Sepe. Nik gave a three day workshop with music students from the school during which they composed and performed in live performance two programs of music with animation.Needless to say I recommend this festival to all students and animation schools. Your work will be given serious consideration and if selected screened in the lovely theatre on the campus and on a DVD which will be shown at other festivals. HURRY THOUGH, the DEADLINE is near.Students can enter both Monstra and First.

Information from website (www.firstfestival.com) below:

First – International Student Meeting for Animation Arts - will take place from the 10th to 13th of March 2008 at the ESAD/IPL school in Caldas da Rainha.

It is intended to value and showcase the most relevant works produced by students and art schools worldwide, presenting their particular artistic, irreverent, intelligent and experimental characteristics.

Besides the screenings of the selected works, we will be promoting meetings between the young artists, and organize workshops and seminars for students, professors and professionals, thus stimulating the present and future of the art of animation.

The art of animation today is becoming increasingly important. Whether as a work of art in it’s own right, integrated in an installation piece, special effects in big movie productions, as an integrative part of a live performance, or as a support for communication or design, animation is a constant element which is present in today’s different media.

The increasing importance of animation lead to the foundation of art schools specialized in this area, be it traditional animation or using of digital tools.

Work produced by students of these art schools has recently gained worldwide recognition in almost all major international festivals because of its excellent quality.

The Animation department of the Escola Superior das Artes e do Design (ESAD) in Caldas da Rainha organize the First | International Student Meeting for Animation Arts | that intends to value and present the most relevant works produced by students and art schools worldwide, presenting their particular artistic, irreverent, intelligent and experimental characteristics.

Besides the screenings of the selected works, we will be promoting meetings between the young artists, and organize workshops and seminars for students, professors and professionals, thus stimulating the present and future of the art of animation.

The FIRST is organized by ESAD/IPL with the partnership of other institutions, Townhall, Art Institute for Cinema (ICAM), Embassies.

All animated films and works must be produced by students to be admitted. Any film has to be finished by January 2004 or after. Only entire films (no excerpts) will be admitted for selection. The selection of

installation and performance pieces should be based on scale models, photographs and videos that present the work in a clear and unequivocal way.
The participation in the festival is free and open to films, objects, installations and performances that incorporate animation as a significant part of the work.

Deadlines and registration

Deadline for entry form is 15th of February 2008.

Deadline for sending films, scale models, photographs, etc. is 29th of February 2008.
Besides the registration form the following items must be sent:

1. A copy of the film in DVD, miniDV, DV or VHS format.
2. A signed copy of the registration form
3. One or more digital Images (300ppi) of the film and one photo of the author(s)
4. A list of dialogues, commentaries, or texts inserted in the film in the original language and in English

Note - VHS format is only accepted for selection, not for screening

Films have to be sent by mail with the message: “Filme para festival sem valor comercial” or “Film for festival. No commercial value.”

Films and other works will be selected during March. Selected candidates will be notified by e-mail.

Any national or international institution may submit one or more films/works. Artists who submit their work individually must prove that the work was produced while being a student.

Registration forms, copies of films and promotional material should indicate the registration number sent by e-mail.

Please send your work to:

Return of copies
Only the copies of films and works for screenings and exhibitions will be returned. Copies sent for selection will not be returned.

Insurance
Films and other works will be insured during the festival (during the time they are kept by the organization). Each copy should not exceed the value of 100 Euros.

Screening of the selected films
The festival accepts the following formats for projection: DVD, miniDV, DV or Betacam SP (Pal). Copies for screenings must be received by the 29th of February 2008 without fail.

Jury and Awards
The festival FIRST has a somewhat alternative philosophy: there are no specific awards in specific categories. The jury will select one hour of films for the screening which are in the competition. All authors whose work has been selected will receive the same award.
The jury will comprise national and international film directors, professors, journalists and students.

About the Award
Award winning films will be compiled on a DVD, which will be promoted and screened at other International Schools and/or festivals with no commercial interests. The Award is intended to allow for the promotion and presentation of the award winning films reaching a maximum of people and institutions.

The registration of one or more films/works implies accepting the rules and regulations of the festival without exceptions.

Final considerations
Any doubts concerning the rules and regulations will be resolved by the organization based on the principles of equity and common sense.

The registration for the FIRST 2008 Festival implies the full acceptance of the rules and regulations.
Any doubts concerning differing interpretations will be clarified based on the Portuguese version of this document.