Author: Marja

Photo: Paavo Pykäläinen Photography

09.08.2021

How is the festival organization going?

Now that new Covid-19 cases are increasing and the region of Southwest Finland has entered the spread phase, we must introduce the most limited festival arrangements so that we can still organize a delightful and safe festival for everyone at the end of the month.

“Due to changing constraints and the tediously evolving corona situation, we still have to wait a moment with schedules and the opening of the ticket shop. In the meantime, we hope everyone will take care of themselves and each other and get vaccinated if possible,” says festival director Kimmo Sillanmikko.

We have added a Safety-page to our website, where we will update the festival’s safety instructions according to the information provided by the authorities. We hope everyone joining the festival will read them through beforehand. We will also inform those who buy our tickets and our volunteers of the current instructions by e-mail before the start of the event.

With the current arrangements, we follow the Southwest Finland Regional State Administrative Agency’s restrictions set on 4.8. Naturally, we will react if the situation still changes. With these restrictions in place, we will only sell a limited number of tickets to the screenings to ensure that safety distance is possible. During the festival, we take special care of the cleanliness of the premises and offer our guests several opportunities to take care of their hand hygiene. We oblige visitors and staff to use a face mask throughout the festival.

Let’s stay safe and see you on August 25-29!

Photo: Paavo Pykäläinen

23.07.2021

The films for the competition series have been selected

This year, the festival will be held mainly among domestic guests and participants, but our festivalgoers will still be able to enjoy cinematic experiences created around the world. This year’s series will feature films submitted in 2020 and 2021 and they have been selected from more than 3,900 short animated films. Although the number of titles in the main competition series were increased this year, a lot of great works and master-level creators were left out.

“The choices are becoming very challenging. This time around the number of films was also overwhelming,” commented TAFF’s artistic director, Joni Männistö, on the competition selections. “There are more and more great films, and it feels like they’re also longer than before. Students also make a lot of 7-10 minute movies.”

Fresh names and Oscar nominees

A total of 59 films from 24 countries were selected for the main competition series of the festival. The selections include new films from Bastien Dubois, Uri and Michelle Kranot and Miloš Tomić, who have previously visited TAFF. Animations from Adrien Merigeau and Daria Kashcheeva, both Oscar nominees, will also be seen as part of this year’s competition series. Eating in the dark, directed by Inari Sirola, a graduate of the Royal College of Arts, brings Finnish touch to the international competition.

In addition to the main competition series, the competition program also includes two series reserved for Finnish animators as well as for films suited for the younger audience. The domestic series features works from both students and better-known film makers. Familiar names for experienced TAFF visitors include for example Tatu Pohjavirta and Kaisa Penttilä, whose work Maihinnousu is also seen in the TAFF Junior series that’s suitable for children.

International competition:

TAFF Junior:

National competition:

Paavo Pykäläinen Photography

12.07.2021

One week left to apply for Portaali-screening!

Are you still hesitant if you can host a Portaali-screening? Did you have questions while filling out the application? Here we try to answer some questions that have come up:

Q: How long does the screening last?

A: The screening lasts 70 min and is shown late at night after sunset. This means that at earliest, the show would start between ten and eleven and end around midnight.

Q: My friends and I haven’t been to art events before and don’t understand anything about video art or animation, can I still apply to host a screening?

A: Of course! With Portaali-screenings, you can have a cultural experience with the people you enjoy in a familiar environment so it’s perfect for first-timers. The films can be enjoyed (or hated!) without prior knowledge of video art or animation, but we will also be happy to tell you more about them. You can read more about our selected films this week from VAFT and TAFF’s instagram.

Q: How many people might come to my backyard if I host a Portaali-screening?

A: The screenings are private, so you can decide how many people and who you want to invite to the event. Only the current restrictions and the size of the screening space should be taken into account in the number of guests.

Q: How much information do I need to tell about the screening area? Can the venue be changed later if we find a more fun environment?

A: We need information about the screening environment in the application so we can evaluate how to set up the projection equipment there. This also means that the venue cannot be changed later.

Q: Are there any restrictions for the screening venues?

A: The venues should be large enough to accommodate projection equipment and the audience. This area can be around the size of a large garage or more. The venue needs to have an electrical outlet (we will bring extension cords if necessary).

As the screenings are held late in the evening, the screenings must be approved by the housing association if necessary.

If you have not yet found the answer to your question, send an e-mail to annu@taff.fi.

Photo: Paavo Pykäläinen Photography

01.07.2021

Here comes TAFF again!

Finland’s most charming international animation film festival, Turku Animated Film Festival (TAFF), will be held again 25.–29.8.2021!

After an exceptional year and the introduction of TAFF Pro Festival, this summer we’ll be able to enjoy the festival in person with all of our audience. As usual TAFF will be a hearty mix of fresh and diverse animation films and side events in the cultural complex of Manilla.

Our festival programme is currently taking its final shape, but follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the festival and sneak peeks for this year’s films. For a head start to the festival TAFF and Video Art Festival Turku (VAFT) have joined forces to present a portable Portal-screening with selection of animated films and video art pieces. More info on the screenings and application will be coming soon.

See you in August!