[press release from MB Publicity]
The 2009 BigPond® Adelaide Film Festival congratulates the makers of THE CAT PIANO, The People’s Republic of Animation, producer Jessica Brentnall and co-directors Eddie White and Ari Gibson, on the 8 minute animated film’s official selection in the Short Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (France).
Narrated by Nick Cave, and based on a beat poem about a city of singing cats (penned by Eddie White), THE CAT PIANO had its World Premiere at the 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival last month and was made possible through the Adelaide Film Festival investment arm, the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, which seeks to support bold and innovative new works.
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is made up of an international competitive Festival and a specialised trade fair Market for animation. It is wholly dedicated to animation and is the biggest and most recognised event of its kind in the world, often being referred to as the ‘Cannes’ of animation. The 33rd festival will take place from 8 to 13 June 2009.
The Short Film prize at Annecy, for which THE CAT PIANO is in contention, is generally regarded as the most prestigious short animation prize on the festival circuit. It is also an Academy accredited festival meaning if THE CAT PIANO wins an award it would be eligible for the nomination short-list for the Oscars.
“The People’s Republic of Animation are the only team to have been supported three times by our Investment fund, with films premiering at the Adelaide Film Festival in 2005, 2007 and 2009. We are delighted that they have had this recognition as we are huge fans of their energetic, talented and highly creative company,” said BAFF director Katrina Sedgwick.
"The selection of The Cat Piano into the competition at Annecy sees the fulfilment of a dream we’ve been chasing since we started making films”, said Eddie White. “The short film competition category at Annecy is the most competitive of all of the international animation festivals and being our third short film produced with the assistance of BAFF, it is a testament to the support they have provided us over the past 4 years.”