OIAF Goes On – Virtually
by Staff
(June 17, 2020 – Ottawa, ON) As the Covid-19 pandemic seems to linger, not quite leaving us alone, the world’s best animation festival had to decide how they were going to handle this year’s event. Other festivals here and around the world have opted for online versions of their former selves and that is what the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) has decided to do as well.
While having a limited number of in-theatre events was not completely off the table, the reality of social distancing and reduced international travel made impossible to hold a traditional event. It should be noted that 80% of OIAF attendees are from out of town including large groups of animation students that come from the United States. Organizers felt it was also much too risky on many levels.
“At first we wanted to mimic the live event as much as possible, but then the team started to think of ways we could take the things people love about the OIAF and make it more suited to an at-home experience,” said Managing Director Kelly Neall. “It’s a chance to get creative and try some new things.”
The Animation Conference, OIAF’s industry event will move online as well. Director Azarin Sohrabkhani is working to involve decision-makers from around the world, “this is a great opportunity to meet with even more potential partners than the live event since travel has been taken out of the equation.”
More information about Online OIAF will be rolling out over the summer including pass and ticket prices and programming details. Meanwhile, visit the OIAF website.
