Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Animated Short (5 minutes or less):

Hope by Alireza Bidar

Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, Georgia, U.S.)

Light and dark, beauty and beast, brutality and spirituality, are all opposite yet intertwined. In a dark ugly world, a seed strives to grow, becoming a flower, bearing a baby. Our infant, symbol of rebirth and spirituality, sows seeds of beauty, spreading more beauty, giving more hope. Our short film "Hope", explores opposite concepts and how one

I created this short film as my senior project at Savannah College of Art and Design. My goal was to create a meaningful piece as well as improving my skills in Houdini software. Over 90% of techniques that has been used to create this short film are done entirely procedurally in Houdini software.

I am a VFX Artist/3D Generalist and currently working toward a BFA of Visual Effects degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I began my career path as a self-taught CG Artist. I devoted several years working in post-production and advertising industry in Dubai (UAE) and Singapore. Immersing myself in the various cultures has been the driving force behind my creations. My passion for CG, as well as the interchanging of knowledge has inspired me to stay competitive amongst my peers.

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Animated Short (5 minutes or less):

KCLOC by Ninaad Kulkarni

School of Visual Arts (New York, U.S.)

KCLOC is a 3D animated documentary on people’s perceptions of time. A selection of brief interviews provide the voices for ten meticulously designed CGI clock characters, in a variety of real-world settings, as they respond to a single question: “What does time mean to you?”

Ninaad is a filmmaker from Mumbai, India, a semi finalist in the 44th Student Academy Awards for his film 'KCLOC', made during his MFA in Computer Art at the School of Visual Arts, New York. In 2015, he graduated from the prestigious National Institute of Design in India, where he majored in Animation Film Production. He has worked in the creative multimedia industry handling projects in USA, Germany, Switzerland, and India. He has won awards in France, Switzerland, USA, Venezuela, Poland, and India for his excellence in film and animation. His animated documentary 'KCLOC' has received wide spread recognition from 32 film festivals across the globe.

Ninaad believes that design and filmmaking are important forms of expression, and if we put our own cultural stories into our work, we will make a difference by bringing people together.

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Animated Short (5 minutes or less):

Tiny Wing by Wei Li

Academy of Art University (San Francisco, California, U.S.)

It’s a 3D short film named “Tiny Wing”. Its story is about two birds born with wing problems but have the same dream to fly just like other normal birds. So they both struggled to fly but failed. Finally, they met each other and figured out a way to make miracle happens and their flying dream both come true.

My name is Wei Li and I’m from China. I graduated from Academy of Art University with the Master’s degree of Fine Art.

I was obsessed with drawing and comic books when I was young, I can not stay at home quietly unless when I was drawing. The first 3D animation film inspired me to learn about it is “Shrek.” Its story is funny and touching, and the character and environment design are impressive. So I decided to learn Maya by myself, I was so excited the first time when I was animating. Gradually, I found my passion for animation so I applied for the master program of 3D Animation in Academy of Art University in order to learn it systematically and intensively.

This short film is my first time to be a director. I learned a lot about animation production process such as storytelling, concept art, modeling, rigging, camera design, animation, music and editing, I will keep working on new short films to be a better animation director in the future.

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Animated Short (5 minutes or less):

Tom in Couchland by James Just

Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota, Florida, U.S.)

James is a 24 year old animator who grew up in New Jersey, just outside New York City. He was always encouraged to pursue his love of art, whether theatrical or visual. The film "The Iron Giant" inspired him to become an animator because it is entertaining, heartwarming, filled with specific characters, and beautiful imagery. He is drawn to the craft of film-making and the magic of animation, the "illusion of life". He is also inspired by any work that strikes him emotionally. This could be in the form of a film, music, play, work of art, actor's performance, or life experience. While in high school he wanted to study computer animation. He planned to find the school with the best quality student work and noticed that the student films at Ringling were consistently well made. In addition to his studies at Ringling, he has attended on-line courses in storyboarding and concept art from Computer Graphics Master Academy and studied Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University for one year.

Having completed his thesis film project, he has a greater appreciation for the monumental task of creating an animated film. Professionally he hopes to direct films with talented peers that take audiences on an exciting emotional journey and impact the world in a positive way. His education has prepared him for the real world in a number of ways. He understands how to respect co-workers in a work environment. He has a network of friends and alumni who will be connections in the industry. He learned how to consider the scope of a project based on deadlines. He understands how to not obsess over the details of a project in favor of getting it done. He is able to give and receive criticism in a positive, constructive manner. He can motivate himself to solve problems and he has cultivated necessary skills as an artist/animator. Awards received include the 2017 Bronze Jurors Award and 2017 Best of Ringling Award for his film “Tom In Couchland,” Best of Ringling Award 2015-2016 for numerous class projects, and the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Playwriting. He has also participated in an internship at The Studio NYC where he contributed to professional projects, and continued to develop his professional network.

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Animated Short (5 minutes or less):

VERGE by ChingTien Chu

School of Visual Arts (New York, U.S.)

VERGE is an animated short about a small, gawky, newly born green sea turtle, who falls behind his siblings on his voyage to the sea. As he arduously tries to scramble to the ocean, a massive waves and trash smack him back to the shore, stimulating a series of challenges. The short explores how navigating a very short distance can be the hardest part of a newborn turtle’s life.

ChingTien Chu was born on Penghu, a small island on the Taiwan Strait. Based in New York City, ChingTien is a computer graphics professional with extensive training in 3D and 2D animation. He recently received his MFA in computer animation at the School of Visual Arts, focusing on lighting, look development and compositing. He has worked in numerous media and art positions, including as a freelance compositor, and lighting artist and designer at Blue Sky Studios, SVA, Aries Creative Studio, and for several independent short films. With a deep fine arts background, he has mastered impeccable drawing skills, honed his sense of observation, and developed a keen sensitivity for light, shadow and color to craft highly resonant imagery.

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Live-Action Short (5 minutes or less)

Bittersweet Memories by Stephanie LI Yuqi

Hong Kong Design Institute (Tiu Keng Wan, Hong Kong)

It is about a little boy had traveled a lot of fantastic things in the city. Most of objects and buildings was changed by sizes, environments, settings and forms. Regardless of whether that the upside-down world is really existed, the whimsical imagination and unrestrained thinking is all we can have.

Stephanie is studying Film and Television at Hong Kong Design Institute who are hypnotised in film, screenwriting and photography.

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Live-Action Short (5 minutes or less)

Dunce by Joshua Walquist

University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.)

A girl must overcome her anxiety to give a presentation.

Using digital color grading I was able to make part of the film appear as if it was filmed with the lights off, when in reality it wasn't. In addition I used a 4k video and an immobile camera to allow me to simultaneously have 2 of the same actress's image on screen and use digital pans and zooms.

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Live-Action Short (5 minutes or less)

Mind Game by Weisi Dai

School of Visual Arts (New York, U.S.)

Innovative Use of Entertainment Technology to Engage the Audience in the Story — Live-Action Short (5 minutes or less)

Transformation by Nicolas Medrano

Polytechnic School (Pasadena, California, U.S.)

A critical look at over-dependence on technology in modern society.

Residing in the United States, Nicolas Medrano has made films since he was ten years old. "Filmmaking is my passion. As a storyteller at heart, I hope to convey messages and emotion through one of the most universal mediums: cinema. As I continue along my directorial journey, I am always learning how to hone my craft."

Innovative Use of Technology in an Experimental Short (3 min. or less)

Transformation by Nicolas Medrano

Polytechnic School (Pasadena, California, U.S.)

An abstract immersive audio-visual experience. A study on the behavior of energy over a period of time. Experimental 2D/3D animation techniques.

Graduated Chapman University with a BFA in Digital Arts, 2016. Responsible for the concept and all of the visuals behind AEON. Always interested in creating new, unique, memorable experiences. Born and raised in Orange County California. First time filmmaker but have participated in several Chapman thesis films that have been running festival circuits.

Ever since I've started animation, I've grown addicted to creating movement that you can literally "feel". Whenever I get the impact or flow right in a piece, I sense what I'm creating truly has life. My goal with AEON is to deliver the soul of that feeling to the audience.

Filmmakers Oskar Fischinger and specifically Michel Gagne's with his short, Sensology, inspired me to create AEON in the experimental visual-music medium.

In addition, I explored ways to create as much immersion for the film as possible. AEON's recommended and preferred viewing method is in stereoscopic 3D. Also, look forward to the VR version along the way. (Currently in R&D).

Innovative Use of Technology in an Experimental Short (3 min. or less)

Jazz Orgie by Irina Rubina

Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (Ludwigsburg, Germany)

Dots, Lines, Planes and Forms set themselves in motion and get drown into their own choreographic world. Within the ecstasy of touch they engage with Jazz Tones into a play of colours and forms which results in a total explosion.

The swirl of life brought Irina Rubina to this world as a Muscovite. But the smell of fresh pretzels drew her to Germany. She jumped into art in Brunswick, Germany, then pushed off and dove into the mathematical ocean in Berlin. But beneath the surface she realized that the deeper she delved, the darker it became. She was afraid to end up in the Black Square, so she decided to make another 180-degree turn. On the way back she came across a school of fish. It was so colorful and had moved so elegantly that she simply had to swim behind it. She tried to retain its bright colors and graceful plasticity. When she turned her eyes away from the fish, she found herself in the Animationinstitut at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. And till this day she swims happily with her animation swarm there… If she is not in Paris looking for other fish…

Innovative Use of Mobile Device or Tablet to Convey a Story — Narrative Short

LONDON STRIKE by Jiranant Kanjanagawin

University of Greenwich (London, U.K.)

"When LONDON is empty.

And you think you are the one has left in the city.

You are lonely.

Nobody ..

No one ..

Just Silence ..

But you're wrong, just turn around and you will see."

This film would like to reveal all of the Landmarks in LONDON.

Which starts from Queensway and follows by the TUBE line until ending in EPPING Forest.

Jiranant Kanjanagawin or Meeeen was born on March 28, 1991 in Bangkok, Thailand. She is a Film-Maker. She came from Bangkok and moved to London, UK to study Master Degree in Film (MSc Cinematography and Post-Production) at University of Greenwich, London in 2013 and finished in 2014. Then she worked in London for 2 companies which are BRITELIGHT and MYNDPLAY, co., Ltd. In late 2015, she moved back to BKK to work in Agency company. Now she is a freelance film-maker!

She is known for her work in the various positions of the Screenwriter, Director, Cinematographer, Photographer, Editor, Graphic & Motion Graphic Designer, VFX. And she also being a Camera Assistant for many films.

Innovative Use of Mobile Device or Tablet to Convey a Story — Narrative Short

The Great Game of Men by Le Han

Language Systems International College (Pasadena, California, U.S.)

The Nature of Chess.

The Nature of War.

The Nature of the Absurdity of Human condition.

War never changes, and so are we. The human race always embraces war over peace. To understand war we must understand human, since the desire to wage war lies deep within us.

This chess game is but a metaphor for our society as a species. It reflects our character, our choice, our nature, our absurdity. So long as the rule in chess never changes, our nature will remain the same. And we will not evolve as human being but rather go into a loop of chaos and madness.

Le Han (born February 26, 1989) is an American writer and director. Currently living in Los Angeles.

Innovative Use of Analog Technologies in a Live Action Narrative Short (5 min. or less)

Frenemy by Andrew Paul Davis

Chapman University (Orange, California, U.S.)

Shot on Super 8mm film with the Quarz 1x8S-2 camera (1970s, USSR) from June 2015-May 2016.

A senior at Taylor University majoring in Film & Media Production, with minors in Theatre Arts, English, & Philosophy.

Currently filming stories in my hometown Fort Lauderdale, FL, and central Indiana.

Innovative Use of Analog Technologies in a Live Action Narrative Short (5 min. or less)

Home by Vivian Lau

Emerson College (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.)

A 16mm homage to my upbringing. Shot on analog 16mm film, on a Bolex camera H16 REX-5 on Kodak Tri-X 16mm stock.

Documentary Short With Technology as the Subject Matter (5 min. or less)

Baylor VirtuOso Documentary Short on Use of Technology in VR Music Video by Gustavo Raskowsky

Baylor University (Waco, Texas, U.S.)

A student-produced documentary covering the production of the Virtual Reality Music Video highlighting Baylor University's A capella Group VirtuOso's rendition of Adele's "Water Under the Bridge", set in a theatrical environment. The documentary covers the technological problems faced throughout the production process and the subsequent solutions found to solve those problems. It covers the several tests run on the 16-GoPro Odyssey rig in order to determine the best ISO, exposure, and frame rate for the VR music video. It also covers the efforts of students from three collaborating departments at Baylor University (Film, Theatre and Music) and their respective roles in the production. Moreover, it depicts the history of Baylor University working at the forefront of the latest technology. Lastly, it covers the creative process that allowed for the students to create a music video in a 360° 3D environment.

This documentary involved the use of a number of technologies and workflows. The documentary was shot on Canon C300 Mk II, C300 Mk I and Sony A7R cameras, with both fixed and zoom cine lenses. Separate audio was recording Tascam DR-40. It was edited using Adobe Creative Suite and ProTools for sound editing. Color timing was achieved using Assimilate Scratch v8.6 VR.

All student projects must be cleared and overseen by faculty members who serve as Executive Producers of the content.