For Immediate Release:   

ANIMATION BLOCK PARTY
AWARD WINNING SHORTS STREAMING
SUNDANCE AND MTV’s WEB SERIES

Student Filmmakers Gain Nationwide Exposure

New York City (June 4, 2008) – Animation Block Party is proving to not only be New York City’s largest exhibition of the world’s best independent, professional and student animation, but also a vehicle for industry recognition.  Casey Safron, founder of Animation Block, is proud to announce new endeavors on the horizon for the company, its annual festival and the award-winning filmmakers from various festivals.

Animation Block’s original production wing has teamed up with MTV to broadcast a new series based on the ABP Audience Award-Winner “Binge and Purge.” The series, titled “Perfectland,” can be found at MTV’s THINK, a social network community, http://think.mtv.com/perfectland and also on MTV’s Overdrive website. The series, created by filmmaker Ben Meinhardt and developed with Casey Safron, discusses environmental issues to help bring awareness to the affects of global warning to cute fuzzy animals.

Another joint venture includes a web series featuring 8 new original episodes based on the popular ABP short, “Breakfast.”   The series has been slated as part of The Sundance Channel’s program content via Verizon Wireless V Cast video service and can be found online at http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/29611/V-CAST-does-a-Sundance.  This marks the second development of a network web series for the company.

Thanks to a series of special ABP grants, ten previous festival student filmmakers are collaborating on nine original Animation Block productions premiering at the 2008 summer festival.  Among the creative festival alumni are: Matt Lee, Chelsea Manifold, Steve Stark, Ashley Holzwasser, Hubert Chan and Michael Langan. As last summer’s student funded PSA winner, Langan, will also be creating a new original “green” public service announcement for the upcoming festival. Dave Schalfman will design the bumper intros, while Adam Ansorge will be creating the outro, and legendary animator, Doug Crane will design this year’s poster and postcard art.

Additionally, the 2008 Animation Block Party will also feature some of the best animated films from some of the most prestigious international film festivals including: Cannes, Sundance, Slamdance and the Toronto Film Festival.

Five years ago there was minimal exposure for young unknown animators to exhibit and promote their artistry - until the very first animation festival debuted in New York capturing immediate worldwide attention.  Created by acclaimed animator, Casey Safron, the groundbreaking festival skyrocketed into a bigger than life event with an overwhelming response which manifested a new outlet for hundreds of underlying artists. Since its launch, the festival has attracted thousands of attendees and entries by artists throughout world.  The pioneering festival is clearly paving the way and continuing to develop new paths for artists everywhere.

The 2008 Animation Block Party summer lineup will be announced on July 2, 2008 at the festival’s official website. Animation Block Party 2008 runs from July 25-27 at Rooftop Films and Bam Cinematek. The after parties will be at Matchless, Mullanes Bar and Grill and Habana Outpost. The popular band Plushgun is the opening night band.

Animation Block

NYC based Animation Block is dedicated to exhibiting the world’s best independent, professional and student animation.  The company produces an annual multi-day festival, Animation Block Party, every last weekend of July in Brooklyn, New York. ABP summer festivals are full of indoor/outdoor events, juried prizes, cool sponsored stuff, good music, cold drinks and the world’s best animated shorts on-screen.  Festival judges have included a who’s who of animation, including Howard Beckerman, Emily Hubley, Jeffrey Scher, Irra Verbitsky, Peter Sluskza, Machi Tantillo, London Squared, Mike Lapinski and Crankbunny.  Animation Block also offers other sources of exhibition to further promote animation makers and their films including web selects available through its website, plus the distribution of Animation Block Party Mix-Tapes and DVD releases which showcase some of the festival’s best shorts.

Since its launch on September of 2004, more than 5000 fans and filmmakers have attended Animation Block Party festivals and have received over 2500 animation submissions worldwide.  International entries include animators from Greece, France, The Netherlands, Israel, Australia, Brazil, Canada and the United Kingdom among many others.  Further information can be found online at www.animationblock.com.

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