President Karl Cohen with Marci Page (left) his wife Denise, and Deanna Morse (right)

ASIFA-SF’s President Karl Cohen has been awarded the 30th Annual ASIFA Prize at the Ottawa Animation Festival for his continuing contributions to the Animation Association and his tireless efforts to preserve the history of the art form. He is, of course the principle author/editor of our chapter’s cherished monthly newsletter, which has subscribers the world over and enjoys amazing pass-a-long readership. He is also a Professor of Animation History at San Francisco State University and author of Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Black Listed Animators in America. He has written hundreds of articles for international publications on aspects of animation industry, history, education. He is currently writing a book on Animated Propaganda, which is also the subject of two screenings at Ottawa.

Animator Nina Paley said "In everything he writes he has only the progress, survival, and preservation of our art as his goal. I love that man." President Cohen himself was taken aback, "The opening night of the festival was a little surprise for me—the drawing by Nick Park is now on my kitchen wall over the table. It was a wonderful surprise and i’m quite honored the ASIFA International board felt i was worthy of the award."

Of course, even the award was not enough to slow Karl down at the festival "I was touched by the crowds that confirmed that my Brainwashed cartoon project is an important subject. The screening played to 2 full houses and the Q&A was full of intelligent questions." Now back in S.F., Karl promises that his book, some 10 years in the research and writing, may be completed in the next year or two. You supply the prose, Karl, and we’ll be thrilled to read it!

 If you don'’t already get the ASIFA-SF newsletter, maybe you should subscribe—it’s part of our annual membership!

ASIFA-SF Co-Presents Dennis Tupicoff
8:00 pm, Thursday, Sept. 25, San Francisco State University
and 7:30pm Saturday at De Anza College

ASIFA-SF and SF States animation program present Australian animator Dennis Tupicoff in person. Chain Saw, his latest animated tour-de-force, recently won the grand prize at the Oberhausen Film Festival in Germany. It is a remarkable coalescence of the mysteries of love, history and power tool safety, that will leave you gasping.

Dennis Tupicoff, a graduate of Queensland University, worked as an archivist and teacher before making his first animated film in Toowoomba. He moved to Melbourne and the Swinburne Film and TV School animation course in 1977. While sometimes making a living with TV ads and other commercial and sponsored work, and later teaching at the VCA School of Television (1992-4), he has made both animated and live-action independent films as writer, director, producer, and animator. One of Dennis’ strengths is his unique writing ability. He has a unique abilty to weave complicated ideas together with a remarkable voice. Don’t miss meeting him on a rare visit from Down Under.

8:10 PM, Coppola Theater, Fine Art Bldg. room 101, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F.

In the south bay? Catch Dennis on Saturday, September 27 at 7:30pm at De Anza College, in the Advanced Technology Center Room 120

FREE and Open to the public!