Animation festival Saturday will feature several films from local artists and beyond

By KENDALL KING on September 27, 2022.

Works by animators from Medicine Hat, as well as those around the world, will be showcased Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Public Library.

The free event is being hosted by Club 404, a student-run film and animation production club operated by Medicine Hat College students, and Quickdraw Animation Society, a Calgary-based non-profit society and public group for animation enthusiasts, in partnership with Medicine Hat’s Pulp Digital Creators and with funding from Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society.

“It’s going to be a two-part festival,” Club 404 president Jessikah Babe told the News. “(Attendees) will see some of the best animations from around the world … as well as local submissions of all ages from the community.”

Babe says there are currently six or seven local animations set to be shown, however organizers are still accepting submissions.

“Most of the (animators) are from our club or from the college, but then we also receiving submissions from high school students in the Hat. And then we also have a submission from someone who’s actually in the industry. So, there’s quite a variety,” said Babe.

The event is geared toward mature audiences, as some of the films do contain adult-themes, but Babe feels attendees, especially animations and film buffs, will enjoy the array of films shown. She also hopes the event will raise awareness about Club 404, which was established last year.

“I meet an increasing number of people every day who are interested in this, but just don’t have a place to go for it,” said Babe. “Our club is creating a space for people to talk about film and animation, work on projects together (and) just realize their potential.

“We really hope to build the ground floor for Medicine Hat to have (a film and animation scene).”

The event is free to attend, but Babe says she and other club members would appreciate any support the community is willing to provide, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going toward Club 404.

For more information about the event or to submit an animation, email club404.mhc@gmail.com.