CALL FOR ENTRIES…..CALL FOR ENTRIES….
LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL MANGA AND ANIME COMPETITION
The first-ever annual international competition to identify the best
in Manga and Anime talent in the world has been launched, with $75,000
worth of prizes to be won.
“We are looking for fabulous new talent wherever it is,” says Dr Andre
Singer of IMAF, who is the organiser of the competition. “The
popularity of Manga and Anime is increasing worldwide, and the
competition will create a new forum for Manga artists and Manga
animators, whether professional or amateur, to show the dynamic scope
of their ‘fantastical pictures’ and stories in the wonderful world of
Manga.”
Work from selected entrants will be on show at the first annual
International Manga and Anime Festival, which is to be held at the
historic London County Hall from December 16th - 19th. The
festival
will show an original and exciting mix of Manga and Anime from around
the world in both a modern and original environment. Anime will be on
show in and around the prestigious Debating Chamber within London
County Hall using the latest AV technology, with other displays being
held in the elegant Riverside Suites overlooking the River Thames, Houses of Parliament and
London Eye.
A panel of experts including Internationally renowned Manga writer,
Koike Kazuo, who wrote the acclaimed “Samurai Executioner”, “Crying
Freeman”, “Lone Wolf and Cub” plus the British impresario, Pete
Waterman, who has a deep fascination for the world of Manga, will
judge the entrants to the competition and prizes will be awarded in
January/February 2005 in the following categories:
Best Short Animation
Best Storyboard
Best Character
Within each category, prizes will be awarded for work appealing to
young children, teenagers or adults, reflecting the wide appeal of the
manga genre. Each category prize will be worth $5,000, with a first
prize of $30,000 for the best overall entry. The deadline for entries
is November 30th 2004.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the IMAF website on
www.imaf.co.uk
which has full terms and conditions of the competition.
“The widespread influence of Manga is considerable but has received
little acknowledgement by Western audiences. The Lion King and Finding Nemo, both fabulously successful films, were based on
Anime,
and there are hundreds of examples of Western-style animated movies
taking their inspiration from Manga,” continues Dr Andre Singer.
“It’s now time for Manga and Anime to gain full international
recognition and we have created a new focus for Manga through an
international Festival together with the setting up of an animation
centre, CHASE, here at London County Hall, lead by Manga experts from
all over the world including Japan, South America, Europe and China.”
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