Although films could be entered in the festival in a number of categories, no distinction was made when they were shown in the cinema. Thus a children’s film could be shown alongside an avant-garde experimental production.

The British animation industry was well represented again this year by such diverse films as Channel Four’s SNOWMAN, Liz Spencer’s ‘Sredni Vashtar’ and Jonathan Hodgson’s ‘Nightclub’.

A Walt Disney character made an appearance in ONLY A KISS which satirises film makers who allow their fantasies to enter their work.

Nearly 250 films were shown during the festival. Animation and persuasion was its main theme. It also included programmes of British, American and experimental films.

The latest in British animation films were shown under three headings; British Contemporary films for children, British Contemporary Films and British Contemporary films: New Directions.

The programme of British Contemporary films opened with THE PARIS YEARS – IGOR CHEZ PLEYEL which was backed by Channel 4 and was one of their rather more experimental offerings.

Animator’s pencil drawing for SWIMSONG by Richard Taylor.

The Student Programmes gave a good idea of the up and coming talents in our colleges.

Chris Krupa begins a two part article with the background to the Festival.

Annecy has held fourteen festivals of animated films from small beginnings in the l960s to the important occasion it has now become.

An international panel had viewed all the films which had been entered for the competition and because of the large number of films submitted, they had divided the films into three categories.

Another new idea this year was a display of film making equipment. Britain was well represented amongst the manufacturers who included Neilson-Hordell with a video rostrum.

Britain’s only major forum of animation investigates propaganda, salutes America and showcases the latest British films.

Perhaps the first major animator to use animation to express his strong revulsion against war was Nonnan McLaren. The Festival will screen both HELL UNLIMITED, made in 1936 after his experiences as a cameraman during the Spanish Civil War and NEIGHBOURS, made at the beginning of the Korean War in 1955.

Following Britain Salutes New York, the Festival offers America Salutes Cambridge: six programmes of contemporary films made by independent American animators, most of which have never been seen in Britain.

This year for the first time there will be a children’s workshop immediately preceding the Festival and the film made at this week-long work¬shop will be screened during the Festival. The workshop will be for fifty local Cambridge children and the directors running this exciting event will include Norwegian director, Inni Karine Melbye, Gro Strom, Kevan Wooldridge, head of animation at the Royal College of Art in Britain and Jessica Langford who runs many excellent workshops in Scotland.