The 4th annual animation festival returns to the university’s campus in Provence, France with a lineup of screenings, including Annecy and Oscar winners, presentations, portfolio reviews and masterclasses.
SCADFILM and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) have announced that the fourth annual SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste returns April 4–5, 2025, at the university’s location in France’s Provence region.SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste 2025 will play host to industry professionals and guests with a lineup of screenings, presentations, portfolio reviews, and masterclasses.
All festival events will take place at SCAD’s historic Maison Basse, with films screened at Theatre du SCAD to play in their native language with French or English subtitles.“With the animation industry booming in France, SCAD Lacoste is the perfect place to bring together our students with top creatives in the business,” said Cédric Maros, executive director of SCAD Lacoste. “Animation is one of SCAD’s top degree programs and this next generation of industry talent is ready to showcase best in class storytelling." SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste is presented by SCADFILM, the university’s programming department of events for students and professionals working in animation, film and television, game development, motion media design, immersive reality, and other digital media arts.Animation is the largest of SCAD’s degree programs and has been named a top program in the U.S.
for many years by Animation Career Review.More information on the festival can be found at the SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste 2025 website.The current event schedule is as follows: Friday, April 4 4:30 p.m.
| SCAD Student Animation Showcase The world’s only animation studio at a university, SCAD Animation Studios places students at the helm of short-film productions as they innovate within the medium, exploring inventive new techniques and developing creative problem-solving agility.As the premier animation studio in higher education, SCAD Animation Studios proudly presents its annual showcase featuring the best of SCAD student work.More than 600 current students and recent alumni from SCAD’s top-ranked degree programs have contributed to this year’s slate of creative shorts.
Films: 8 p.m.| Screening: A wondrous journey through realms natural and mystical, the Academy Award-winning follows a courageous cat after his home is devastated by a great flood.Teaming with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog to navigate a boat in search of dry land, the cat and his companions must rely on trust, courage, and wits to survive the perils of a newly aquatic planet.
Directed and co-written by Gints Zibalodis, the critically acclaimedwon Latvia’s first Oscar and Golden Globe Award in 2025.The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Sacrebleu Productions distribution manager Luigi Loy.Saturday, April 5 2:30 p.m.
| Best of Annecy 2024 The Best of Annecy showcases the most outstanding and innovative short films from the renowned Annecy International Animation Film Festival.This curated collection of the festival’s 2024 films highlights the global diversity and creative excellence of the animation industry, bringing together a variety of styles, techniques, and storytelling approaches.These films explore complex themes, provoke thought, and deliver powerful emotional experiences all within the rich and vibrant medium of animation.
Whether through traditional hand-drawn techniques, cutting-edge 3D animation, or experimental styles, the Best of Annecy offers a captivating glimpse into the future of animation, celebrating both emerging talents and established visionaries.Films: 4:30 p.m.| Presentation: The Wonderful World of Concept Design with Alfred Lee Join us for an inspiring and insightful presentation by talented Disney Imagineer and SCAD alum Alfred Lee (B.F.A., illustration, 2014) who will take you behind the scenes of the creative process at one of the most iconic entertainment companies in the world.
As a seasoned concept designer, Lee has worked on some of Disney's most beloved attractions and experiences, helping to bring imaginative worlds to life.In this session, you'll get a glimpse into the incredible world of concept design, where art, storytelling, and innovation come together.Lee will share his unique perspective on what it means to craft immersive environments, characters, and experiences that captivate audiences and transport them into magical realms.
From the initial sketches to the final design, attendees will learn about the collaboration, vision, and technical skills that go into designing some of the most recognizable Disney landmarks and stories.A senior concept designer with Walt Disney Imagineering, Lee has 11 years of experience creating immersive theme park environments, including Hong Kong Disneyland’s recent World of Frozen expansion.After initially studying law, Lee decided to pivot and pursue a degree in art and design.
While a SCAD student, he won the Disney ImagiNations Competition, which provided a launchpad for him to join the company after graduation.Lee is currently based in France, where he is working on an expansion project at Disneyland Paris.8 p.m.
| Screening: In the fourth installment of Illumination’s blockbuster franchise, Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.When Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, the family is forced to go on the run.The screening is followed by a Q&A with Illumination Mac Guff CG supervisor Boris Jacq. SCAD Lacoste is a residential study abroad location in France offering immersion in the history and culture of Provence.
Course offerings each quarter are varied to apply to all SCAD areas of study and are taught by SCAD professors.Lacoste is a beautifully preserved medieval village and historic destination for artists, known for its extraordinary light and exquisite pastoral setting.SCAD Lacoste structures dating from the ninth to the 19th centuries feature cutting-edge contemporary amenities.
SCAD Lacoste resources include a library, a gallery, a dining hall, and housing, as well as teaching studios dedicated to painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and digital imaging.Students interact with visiting artists, take field trips to museums and historic sites in the area, and have the opportunity to exhibit their work at a local vernissage.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
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