04/12/2013 - The Czech city of Olomouc will welcome the traditional event blending film animation, VJing, music and visual arts in general

Revolutionary artist Ernest Edmonds, who started with abstract computer animation as early as the 1960s, will be the main guest of the upcoming Festival of Film Animation – a four-day event which traditionally encompasses various forms of animation techniques, often experimental in nature. The festival – or PAF – is generally known as one exploring the phenomena of animated film in a broader context of cinema as well as visual arts.

The competitive section Other Visions will feature ten films selected by Czech artist David Kořínek; the works will be judged by American animator Takeshi Murata, Slovak artist András Cséfalvay and Czech scholar Ondřej Jakubec.

The main thematic section will be devoted to the visual culture of the tough era of the 1950s under the communist regime in Czechoslovakia and will strive to present the decade as less gloomy than we usually imagine it to be.

While to a big extent a specialized event – this year presenting a VJing workshop, among others –, PAF is very much open to the public, hosting not only late night DJ sessions, but also free exhibitions and screenings for children.

The festival will not host a big name from the field of experimental electronic music as in previous years when Tim Hecker of Ryoji Ikeda performed in Olomouc. However, interesting local names – such as Berlin-based Fiordmoss or solo project Johnny the Horse – will perform during the closing night.

The 12th Festival of Film Animation Olomouc (PAF) runs December 5 – 8 in the Czech Republic.