The PLATFORM International Animation Festival will debut June 25- 30, 2007 in Portland, Oregon. The new, boundary-breaking festival and competition will feature films, installations and exhibitions.

Looking to fill the need for a major animation event in the U.S., the PLATFORM International Animation Festival will be a literal platform for artists, innovation, debate and discussion as well as set the stage to explore new developments in animation. The Festival program will feature premieres and retrospectives, exclusive screenings, guest speakers, exhibitions, workshops with leading artists, parties and networking opportunities with industry insiders. The Festival is being solely sponsored by Cartoon Network.

“This is an important period for animation because the rapid growth of technology changes the possibilities of our craft every day,” said Kotlarz, producer of animation projects and former director of animation festivals in Cambridge, Bristol and Cardiff in the UK. “We want animators to be able to find new answers and new opportunities with the best in the industry. Whether the animated submissions are created for theaters, cell phones or for the sides of buildings, if it is brilliant and innovative, we want to show it.”

PLATFORM represents a brand new breed of festival. Along with being an international competition with cash prizes, the Festival will break boundaries into other art forms including comics, illustration, character and toy design, motion graphics, gallery art and live action cinema.

“In all the talk about this new platform and that new platform, no one is really talking about what makes good content for these areas, or how to grow a generation of creators for these platforms. That’s why Cartoon Network is proud to be the sole sponsor of this important new international festival and competition. PLATFORM will serve as a special place where emerging artists and talents can learn, grow, be inspired and showcase their work,” said Michael Ouweleen, Cartoon Network’s Senior VP, Programming & Development.

The international competition is open to films under 40 minutes (with no minimum running time) and there is no entry fee. Directors with films in competition will be provided with complimentary accommodation, meal allowances and Festival passes. Renowned international judges will present awards in categories covering commercial and independent films, student animation and films for new platforms, including cell phones and the Internet. Rules stipulate that films must have premiered after January 1, 2005 to be eligible. In total, more than $50,000 will be awarded. The deadline to enter the competition is 1 March 2007. Visit the site for details.