01 June 2015

Film Talk with Yūichi Itō at Nippon Connection 2015


Film Talk with Yūichi Itō at Nippon Connection 2015
Thursday, June 4.
8:30pm at Mousonturm Studio 3, Frankfurt am Main
Yūichi Itō (Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts and director of Harbor Tale)
Moderation: Catherine Munroe Hotes

This year’s animation guest at Nippon Connection is Yūichi Itō (伊藤 有壱, 1962).  Itō is one of Japan’s top stop motion animators and he teaches animation at Tokyo University of the Arts’ prestigious graduate programme in animation.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of his popular NHK claymation series Knyacki! (ニャッキ!) which follows the adventures of a cute little caterpillar. 



Itō founded his own studio I.TOON 1998.  In addition to animation for kids, I.TOON produces a wide range of animated commercials, character designs, and music videos including Ken Hirai’s 2005 hit Kimi wa Tomodachi (キミはともだち/You're My Friend).   

In recent years Itō has had much success with his latest character Mr. Brick, the central character of his film Harbor Tale (2011) and its sequel Blue Eyes -in HARBOR TALE- (2014).  Harbor Tale showcases the history of Yokohama and its iconic red brick historical buildings. 

Entry to the Film Talk is free and will feature 40 minutes of selected works followed by a Q+A.  The films screened will include:

2000
Knyacki! Episode16 "Macaroni!"
ニャッキ!第16 「マカロニ!」            

2012
Doron Coron
ドロンコロン

2006
NORABBITS' MINUTES Episode 2 "PIANO"
ノラビッツ・ミニッツ 2話「ピアノ」

2011
HARBOR TALE
ハーバーテイル
                               
2011
YOKOHAMA TALE
ヨコハマテイル                          

2014
Blue Eyes -in HARBOR TALE-
ブルーアイズ イン ハーバーテイル             


In addition to the Film Talk, Itō will do a cutout animation workshop for kids and a workshop for adults, as well as presenting this year’s selection ofGeidai animated shorts.