Highlighting the best of RMIT animation

Highlighting the best of RMIT animation

RMIT graduates will join a line-up of award-winning animators, industry veterans and inspiring independents at Melbourne’s premier animation festival.

Presented by the Australian Centre for Moving Image (ACMI), Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF) runs from 13 – 21 July and features more than 400 of the best recently released animation films from around the word, alongside historical screenings and talks.

Three Bachelor of Design (Animation and Interactive Media) graduates will premiere their animated shorts as part of the 11-day annual festival.

Ruby Pettigrew’s Greenhouse, Lauren Buttfield’s Unsighted and Sylvie Le Couteur’s Fight Club but with Tennis and No Fight will be screened at the Australian Student Showcase, which offers an exciting window on Australia’s rising stars in animation.

Lauren Buttfield animation Still from Lauren Buttfield's animated short film 'Greenhouse.'

School of Design Lecturer Mark Lycette said RMIT had a proud 10-year history of partnering with the festival, and that it was amazing to see the significant community of animation practice built upon by RMIT students, staff and alumni.

 “Since the RMIT animation degree was launched in 2003, it has grown in stature and success,” Lycette said.

“Combined with state of the art facilities and a curriculum designed upon studio practice, we have seen the quality of graduate work increase each year.

“Programs like the RMIT and MIAF collaboration have created pools of talent and grown the animation industry in Melbourne and Australia.”

Still from Sylvie Le Couteur's animated short 'Fight Club But With Tennis And No Fight.' Still from Sylvie Le Couteur's animated short film 'Fight Club But With Tennis And No Fight.'

Alumnus Andrew Ornato’s short film Geenie Reenie 2 will also premiere at the Opening Screening: Australian Showcase, while a further cohort of 20 students and staff will attend the Cartoon Network Pitch Workshop.

This year, RMIT was ranked tenth in the world and second in Australia for its animation program, according to Animation Career Review.

Graduates from the program have landed jobs in renowned studios such as WETA Design, Rising Sun Pictures, Disney, and Studio Moshi, and often return from industry to teach, building a community of like-minded practitioners willing to share their experience with the next generation.

The recent renovation of Melbourne’s iconic theatre The Capitol has also provided a new world-class learning and teaching environment for students with access to collaborative spaces for animation as well as digital media, VR, gaming and film.

 

Story: Jasmijn van Houten

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.