The Man In The Blue Gordini, Jean-Christophe Lie

...get ready to strap yourselves in for a ten day blast of animation from around the world in the 7th edition of the London International Animation Festival! This will be your only opportunity in the UK to see such a comprehensive line-up of current animated short films in competition and specially curated programmes that highlight recent productions and absolute gems from the archive. LIAF aims to challenge and inspire audiences with thematic, visual and technical diversity from award winners, outstanding industry veterans and those wonderful newcomers who are exploring their talent on screen for the very first time.

LIAF10's trailer by Mew Lab (Kim Noce & Shaun Clark)

Beautifully crafted by Kim & Shaun of Mew Lab to perfectly compliment this year's technique of focus: direct to film/scratch animation.

> Technique Focus: Direct to Film Showcase with Steven Woloshen, Monday 30 August 9.15pm
> Trailer YouTube link

Watch the trailer for 'The Illusionist',
Sylvain Chomet's wonderful animated film.

The Illusionist is one of a dying breed of stage entertainers. With emerging rock stars stealing his thunder, he is forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theatres, at garden parties and in bars and cafes. However, while performing in a village pub off the west coast of Scotland, he encounters Alice, an innocent young girl, who will change his life forever. Watching his performance to the excited and amazed villagers who are celebrating the arrival of electricity to their remote island, Alice becomes awestruck by our hero and believes his tricks are real magic. Following him to Edinburgh, she keeps his home while he goes to work in a small local theatre. Enchanted by her enthusiasm for his act, he rewards her with increasingly lavish gifts he has ‘conjured’ into existence. Desperate not to disappoint her, he cannot bring himself to reveal that magic does not exist and that buying these gifts is driving him to ruin. But as Alice comes of age, she finds love and moves on. The Illusionist no longer has to pretend and, untangled from his own web of deceit, resumes his life as a travelling entertainer, a much wiser man.