Nominated for and winner of the award for The Best Film for Children, the CG film Mug Travel was produced by RG Animation Studios and is a wonderful film adaptation of the computer animated television Backkom Series [related A.I. news: ""Backkom" Goes International"]. Directed by Lim Ah-ron, Mug Travel follows the character Bebe, who lonely one Christmas Eve comes into possession of a magical pendant, which with the help of a strange mug that has the magical power of transportation, embarks upon a fantastical voyage. Bebe, a baby, explores everything from deserts to forests to valleys and much more. Creativity and originality follow Bebe and other characters Konkongee (penguin), Backkom (polar bear) and many more animals; many of these characters of which do more harm than help. Ultimately quite frustrating in their travels and annoying one another to no end, working together and adjusting to change are tackled with the unconventional humor and curios directorial strategies of Director Lim Ah-ron are at the forefront of Mug Travel.
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The computer animated children's film Mug Travel (run time: 75mins.), winner of The Best Film for Children award, was subsequently released in South Korean theaters on March 22nd, 2007. This story of strangers, who don't really get along, traveling to the city among other places, has resonated well with international supporters who have found or are finding the exportation of Backkom Series and Mug Travel a relatable, foreign animation production.
The Fifth International Festival of Animated Films Bimini seeks to honor and expose quality animation from all over the world.
Held this year in Latvia, home to many burgeoning animators whose work has been featured on the international platform an increasing amount of occasions; the Bimini Animation Festival honored Institute of the Dream (Estonia) with Grand-Prix of the Festival, Apple Pie (Switzerland) the award for The Best Film for Adults among many other unique awards. Awards for children productions and awards for adult productions, awards for abstract experimental films and awards for music videos, the Bimini Animation Festival covers plenty of ground creatively.
The independent or small studio animation specialists who are honored by this animation festival have found the competition tough, but the support enormous. In 2006, well over two hundred submissions, from thirty-four countries, made their way through judges' panels. At this animation festival, "Animation is a new art," and it should be treated as such; but not merely in the traditional sense, but in scientific, technological and creative senses as well. The goal is to learn about one another and the world through the remarkable creativity and innovation animation allows its directors and writers, through a cooperative screening.
About the Bimini Animation Festival: In Latvian cinema's culture, Bimini (www.Bimini.lv)is the only festival of its kind that provides worldwide animation sight range and reviews of last years' films, including also Latvian animators achievements, which in the last years have deserved approval from international famous professionals and animation films festivals. The program of the Festival includes the films participating in competition and out of competition films reviews, as well as the review of retrospective and informative films.