John Musker, the esteemed former Disney animator and current independent filmmaker, will be the guest star at the upcoming Animayo animation festival in the Canary Islands. Among his responsibilities at the festival, Musker will lead the jury for Animayo’s Oscar-qualifying animated short competition and present the Spanish premiere of his own short film, ‘I’m Hip.’
Musker, renowned for his collaborations with Ron Clements on Disney classics such as ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Hercules,’ and ‘Moana,’ will follow in the footsteps of fellow Disney legend, Andres Deja, who participated in the festival last year with his short film, ‘Mushka.’ Animayo 2024 will also feature over 30 guest speakers, including Polygon Pictures CEO Shuzo Shiota, producer Elena Ø Alexa, production designer Patrick O’Keefe, and animator Sara Koppel. These industry professionals will share their knowledge and experiences with attendees, inspiring and educating aspiring animators.
The festival director, Damián Perea, emphasized the importance of guest speakers in fostering connections within the industry. ‘They come to share their knowledge, convey their experiences intimately, teach, and motivate new generations. Professionals mingle and interact with the public, engaging in autograph signings and sharing their insights,’ said Perea.
Musker’s presence at Animayo marks his first participation in the festival, as well as his first visit to a Spanish animation festival. The Spanish premiere of ‘I’m Hip’ will take place on Wednesday, May 8, at the Cicca Cultural Center, the festival’s central hub. Admission to the screening is free, but seating is limited. After the screening, Musker will lead a presentation on the making of ‘I’m Hip’ and host a four-hour drawing workshop the following day. He will also conduct a master class on writing and directing animated features on Saturday, May 11.
Musker’s contributions to Animayo extend beyond his guest appearance, as he will also chair the international jury. This role is crucial, as the winning short film from Animayo qualifies for the Academy Awards. The 2023 festival saw Iranian filmmaker Yegane Moghaddam’s short ‘Our Uniform’ not only qualify but also receive an Oscar nomination, making it the first Iranian animated short to achieve this recognition.
Animayo’s success is attributed to the support of various local and national entities, including the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the Society for the Promotion of the City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Turismo Gran Canaria, the Foundation of La Caja de Canarias, the Government of the Canary Islands, and ICEX-Invest in Spain. The festival also benefits from the participation of numerous production companies, studios, schools, and universities.
