AFI FEST 2014 Presented by Audi Announces Inaugural Technology Showcase State Of The Art – Innovation, Storytelling and Technology

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Category: Entertainment News

Published on Thursday, 30 October 2014 07:08

Written by AFI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, LOS ANGELES, CA, October 30, 2014 – AFI FEST 2014 presented by Audi, a program of the American Film Institute, today announced an inaugural technology showcase, STATE OF THE ART – INNOVATION, STORYTELLING AND TECHNOLOGY, with curated and sponsored discussions.

AFI FEST will take place November 6 through 13 in Hollywood, CA, at the Dolby Theatre^®, the TCL Chinese Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with the technology showcase running Monday, November 10 through Wednesday, November 12.

“Dolby, the festival's newest partner, enables us to bring our audiences and filmmakers an extraordinary movie-going experience in a world-class venue and provides the festival with a theater where we can launch this engaging forum on technology and storytelling,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI FEST.  “This year at the showcase we'll be putting a spotlight on the evolution of Weta Digtial's technology, DreamWorks Animation's new PrEMO software, and Dolby's next-generation sound technology, Dolby Atmos.”

CURATED PRESENTATIONS:

THE EVOLUTION OF WETA DIGITAL – Monday, November 10

This presentation will explore the history of how Weta Digital's artists have evolved their technology and techniques over the last 20 years and focus on an in-depth case study of the innovation in performance and effects as seen in DAWN OF THE PLANET OF APES. Panelists include Weta Digital Visual Effects Supervisor Dan Lemmon.

NEW TOOLS: BEHIND THE SCENES OF HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 - Tuesday, November 11

At DreamWorks Animation, the animators have a new tool at their disposal: PrEMO, built on the Apollo Platform with support from HP and Intel, which enables them to manipulate the movement and expressions of characters with unparalleled fluidity and freedom. The use of PrEMO has resulted in a new kind of animations, first brought to life on the screen for HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2. Presenters include writer/director Dean DeBlois and DreamWorks Animation's Chief Technology Officer, Lincoln Wallen.

SPONSORED PRESENTATIONS:

Welcome Address from Dolby – Sponsored by Dolby Laboratories – Monday, November 10

THE TECHNICOLOR SPONSORED KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Monday, November 10

Technicolor's Production Services' President, Tim Sarnoff, will deliver the keynote address.

Technicolor, a revered name in entertainment, is approaching its 100^th year of operations. Over the last century, Technicolor has reinvented itself at strategic crossroads of change – the latest being around the industry's move into digital – while bridging an ever-expanding range of production workflows, as emerging global viewing platforms proliferate. The company has remained current by staying true to a few strategic core values: its enduring commitment to serving storytellers and their creative process.

THE SOUND OF IMAGINED WORLDS – Sponsored by the Dolby Institute – Wednesday, November 12

Filmmakers tend to concentrate on the visuals of their imagined worlds, but what about the sounds? Spend time with leading sound artists Erik Aadahl, Will Files, and Skip Lievsay as they present clips and talk about the imagined worlds of recent blockbuster films GODZILLA, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, and NOAH, and learn about how technologies like Dolby Atmos help filmmakers immerse their audiences in fully realized environments with detailed soundscapes. Moderated by Dolby's Stuart Bowling and Glenn Kiser.

Free individual tickets to AFI FEST screenings, Galas and events will be available to the general public online atAFI.com beginning Friday, October 24, but only the Cinepass Express pass will provide priority entry to the Tech Showcase, as well as access into the Cinema Lounge. These and other AFI FEST Passes are on sale now atAFI.com/AFIFEST, and AFI Members receive special discounts. The American Film Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational and cultural organization, and Patron Packages are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

For the 11th year, Audi is the festival's presenting sponsor. Additional top sponsors include AT&T, Coca-Cola, VIZIO, American Airlines (the official airline of AFI), Dunkin' Donuts, Netflix and Stella Artois. The festival's venue sponsors include the Dolby Theatre, TCL Chinese Theatres, the Hollywood & Highland Center, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the Egyptian Theatre.

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America's promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFIArchive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year;AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

About AFI FEST presented by Audi 
A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today's Hollywood – an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world. AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for both Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards^®. This year's edition takes place November 6 – 13, 2014. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST andyoutube.com/AFIFEST.

About Audi 
Audi of America Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. The Audi Group delivered 1,575,500 vehicles to customers globally in 2013, and broke all-time company sales records for the fourth straight year in the U.S. Through 2018, AUDI AG will invest about $30 billion in new products, facilities and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com orwww.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) creates audio, video, and voice technologies that transform entertainment and communications in mobile devices, at the cinema, at home, and at work. For nearly 50 years, sight and sound experiences have become more vibrant, clear, and powerful with Dolby. For more information, please visit www.dolby.com.