Head for Teesside to find Nemo and hear animation legend Ray Harryhausen

Mark Walsh, Directing Animator of the hit animation Finding Nemo, is topping the bill at the 2004 Animex International Festival of Animation hosted by the University of Teesside. The festival runs from 26-30 January and ends with a two-day conference.

Mark Walsh worked on A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2 and Monsters Inc. before turning his talents to Finding Nemo, the latest Disney Pixar animated movie. The film has had international success around the world and Mark will speak at Animex Talk!, the main event of the festival at 4pm on Friday 30 January, 2004, in the University’s Europa Building, Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough.

Festival Director Chris Williams, who is Principal Lecturer in Animation at the University of Teeside, said: “Mark is passionate about his work and what he has to say about his involvement on Finding Nemo will be worth the price of a Festival Pass.” Booking and other details are available via www.animex.net.

Also speaking is Dr Stuart Sumida, Professor of Biology at California State University in San Bernardino, who provided advice on the movement and physiology of animals on a range of animated films, including Beauty & the Beast, The Lion King, Hercules, Mulan and Scooby Doo. He speaks on Thursday 29 January at 4pm.

A further attraction during the festival this year is the return of the Oscar-winning animation legend Ray Harryhausen, whose pioneering animated adventures include Jason and the Argonauts and the Clash of the Titans. He gives a lecture at the University on 28 January at 6.30pm entitled, ‘An Animated Career’ and will answer questions afterwards. The event is ticket only due to unprecedented levels of interest. Details from Sarah Buckley at s.buckley@tees.ac.uk.

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