From KUNG FU to Key Grip : GI JOE FEST 3

[youtube width=”600″ height=”486″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GhwE1hL6DM[/youtube]

Created and run by Gio Tonineli from Pondpatrol.com, GI JOE FEST has provided a forum for enthusiasts of both stop motion animation and the classic Hasbro action figures, since 2007.  What the festival entails is fairly simple: each year open-submissions are accepted for anyone (internationally) who has created a stop-motion film, which includes at least one character represented by a GI JOE action figure.  The submissions close around July, when a pre-selection screening for the festival takes place.  In October, the films are judged and screened at the infamous, Alamo Draft House in Austin, TX.  Beginning early the following year, the final selection of films begin their limited city tour as a festival.

Tonight (Feb. 10, 2010) marks the kick off of the 3rd annual GI JOE Stop-Motion Film Festival, and takes place at the Echo Park Film Center in Los Angeles, CA.  In addition to tonight’s showing, the creators of the festival have also offered a stop-motion workshop, which will take place tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 21st at 11am.  To instruct the workshop, the festival will be employing the skills of,  2007 GI JOE FEST winner, Jeff Gurwood.

Description of workshop:

The Stop Motion Workshop will offer the opportunity to develop both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to create a piece of stop-motion animation. The course aims to stimulate students’ abilities to generate an overall perspective of a project – from concept to final product. Tuition is $20 dollars.

Here is a sample of Gurdwood’s work: “LAST RANDY STANDING“

[youtube width=”600″ height=”486″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy9LdFbm_C8[/youtube]

Submission deadlines are on July 20th so, if you’re interested in entering a film for next year’s festival, there is still 150 days left to do it.  Go to gijoefilmfestival.com for information.