SCAD AnimationFest 2023 has wrapped, and here is every animated movie and short film that was screened at the event. SCAD AnimationFest 2023 was a celebration of all things animation, with animation and visual effects titans joining the yearly festival held in Atlanta, Georgia in order to present screenings, host Q&A panels, and give an insight into the industry that so many SCAD students hope to join. The animation festival was packed full of exciting events, and one of the most notable headlines was all the films that were shown off. So, here is every feature-length and short film that was presented at SCAD AnimationFest 2023.
SCAD AnimationFest 2023 hosted a wide variety of films, with these art pieces coming from all over. Well-established animation veterans were present at the event, including the animation director on Nimona Ted Ty. Television also had a huge presence at SCAD AnimationFest 2023, with screenings of episodes from shows like Krapopolis and Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake occurring as well. However, the films made up the bulk of the festival. Ranging from big-budget movies to student films, plenty of movies screened at SCAD AnimationFest 2023.
13 The Last Dungeon
One of the most notable films to be shown at SCAD AnimationFest 2023 was The Last Dungeon, directed by Alex Young. The short film is the fifth project produced by SCAD Animation Studios, and a screening for the ambitious movie was held at the festival, followed by a Q&A panel hosted by the students behind The Last Dungeon. The Last Dungeon is a film inspired by medieval fantasy and tabletop RPGs, with the story focusing on a colorful band of warriors as they attempt to take down an evil Lich King and his army of skeletons.
12 Vainglorious
Vainglorious, directed by Gabriel Ugbodaga, is another student film that was shown at SCAD AnimationFest 2023, with it being screened during the panel SCAD Student Film Spotlight: The Making of “Vainglorious.” The film follows a young boxer as he faces off against his father in a traditional Nigerian boxing match, and the emotional and physical stakes are higher than ever. The gorgeous 2D animation and the film’s signature style make Vainglorious a sight to behold.
11 Three Raccoons in a Trench Coat
The final day of SCAD AnimationFest 2023 featured the SCAD Animation Showcase, in which various senior films from SCAD animation students were shown off. The showcase kicked off with a screening of Three Raccoons in a Trench Coat, directed by Audrey Randazzo. The computer-animated film follows three raccoons as they attempt to break into a gas station, to hilarious effect. The animation style is reminiscent of unique computer-animated films like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, with the film being a great way to start the showcase.
10 Bunny to the Moon
Bunny to the Moon, by Akira Maynard, Sammy Liu, and Justine Fong, is a 2D-animated film about a young girl who finds a bunny that has crash-landed on Earth. The gorgeous watercolor visuals, fantastic music, and heartwarming story make Bunny to the Moon another great entry in SCAD AnimationFest 2023’s lineup, with it standing out from the crowd.
9 GARG!
GARG!, directed by Landon Jenkins, is a video game-inspired film about a bold hero who wants nothing more to get into a menacing tower in order to complete his quest. However, he is constantly thwarted by a gargoyle-like creature, with the two mortal enemies getting in the way of each other through a variety of means. GARG! brings to mind the humor of projects like Spy vs. Spy, with the humorous slapstick comedy meshing perfectly with the video game aesthetic.
8 Goro Goro
Goro Goro, directed by Ryotaro Sawada and Agatha Tiara Christa, tells the story of Daigoro, the child of a ferocious Japanese thunder god. While Daigoro’s father is away, the young child becomes determined to play his drums, finally fulfilling his musical ambitions. The hilarious computer-animated film is absolutely adorable, with the premise alone being fantastic. The unique world of Japanese thunder gods was the perfect setting for this story, making Goro Goro a standout at SCAD AnimationFest 2023.
7 Chupacorn
Chupacorn, directed by Jasper Nylund, is a 2D animated short film about a young shepherd who is tasked with herding a unique brand of mythical horned sheep. However, when one of the animals gets lost in the woods, the shepherd comes across a ferocious beast that threatens the entire flock. Chupacorn definitely reminds viewers of franchises like The Legend of Zelda and How to Train Your Dragon, with its simple themes being perfectly used to elevate its story.
6 Fred and Frankie
Fred and Frankie, directed by Jenny Schuermann and Kate McNeely, is a beautifully tragic story about Frankie, the owner of a food truck who is reminiscing about the loss of her late husband Fred. The computer-animated film touches on themes of grief and remembrance, and while it is a sad film to watch, it is an enriching experience that clearly had lots of passion behind it.
5 Prozaic
Prozaic is a uniquely quirky short film about a shadowy figure who spends the days as a clown. However, he fears that his true self will be discovered when his makeup fades. Prozaic‘s incredibly creative sense of humor and hilarious blend of art styles brings to mind shows like The Amazing World of Gumball and Fish Hooks, with it being one of the many great films screened at the showcase.
4 Crossing Over
Crossing Over, directed by Gabi Orlandi Fernandes, is a unique tale about a young warrior from the past who finds herself in the world of a modern-day workplace. The computer-animated film has a lot to say about capitalism and the experience of humans in the modern era, with its creative use of social commentary making it stand out from the crowd.
3 The Sun is Bad
The Sun is Bad, directed by Rachel Mow, is an anime-inspired action film that absolutely blew away the audience at SCAD AnimationFest 2023. The film follows a young girl who, during a heat wave in 1980s Hong Kong, attempts to take down the villainous force behind the temperature: the sun. The hilarious short film shows a lot of talent from all of the creatives behind it, with it being another highlight of the showcase.
2 Inspector Sun & The Curse Of The Black Widow
Although student films made up the bulk of SCAD AnimationFest 2023, they weren’t the only projects shown. The United States premiere of Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow closed out the first night of the festival, with attendees getting a sneak preview of the film. The movie follows Inspector Sun, a posh spider detective who must solve a murder while onboard a plane in a world of anthropomorphized bugs. Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, directed by Julio Soto Gurpide, is a clear parody of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot novels, with the animated murder mystery being a fun romp.
1 The Super Mario Bros. Movie
While SCAD AnimationFest 2023 featured all kinds of premieres and exclusive screenings, one well-known animated movie made its way to the festival: The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Illumination Entertainment’s Mario box office hit had a screening at SCAD AnimationFest 2023, which was a really fun surprise. This film just goes to show that SCAD AnimationFest 2023 had a variety of programming, from the biggest movie of 2023 to independent student films.
