Extra Credit Adventure Number One--Cinequest!

Towards the beginning of March, I attended Cinequest's animated short screening. It was my first time attending Cinequest--it was fantastic! The variety of animated films shown, as well as the creativity behind each piece was truly inspiring. There were some fantastically unique and powerful shorts that were both entertaining and enlightening to watch.

My absolute favorite of the lineup was "My Heart Attack," by Sheldon Cohen. Cohen narrates his own experience of having a heart attack in a gently comedic way that wonderfully incorporates a humble tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Yet it touches on some incredibly deep, very real human emotions and fears. It was an amazing testament to the fact that an animation does not need to look over-the-top gorgeous to not only be successful in its storytelling, but also in striking an emotional chord with the audience.

So being a dirt-poor college student, I was coincidentally blessed by some mishap on the ticket sales side of the event and they let me in without having to buy one! Unfortunately that means I don't have a ticket to show. A couple of the filmmakers for one of the shorts was there and they were actually handing out business cards for their film, "Carlo". They came all the way from Italy for this film festival! It was fascinating to talk with them; they had only made live-action shorts till just recently, and "Carlo" was their first animated one.

I also have this sweet picture of Megan Jacobi and myself. I was there, I promise!

Clearly, we had a great time. I'm already looking forward to next year!