L.A. Animation Festival: Lennon, Plympton and a 'Fantastic' film

L.A. Animation Festival: Lennon, Plympton and a ‘Fantastic’ film

Feb. 07, 2012 | 11:19 a.m.

Sean Lennon and a self portrait of Bill Plympton. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times / Bill Plympton Studios)

Musician Sean Lennon is the artistic director for the third edition of the Los Angeles Animation Festival, which will bring “Akira,” “Fantastic Planet” and ”Shrek” and also honor Bill Plympton during its March 7-11 run at the Regent Showcase in Hollywood.

An animator himself, Lennon will introduce many of films he’s chosen and none influenced him more than 1973′s “Fantastic Planet,” a strange sci-fi epic by French experimental animators Roland Topor and René Laloux. This screening of the film will be accompanied by live musicians and actors on stage but the specifics are still under wraps.

The fest is also honoring Plympton, the two-time Oscar-nominee, by screening one of his early films, “The Tune,” as well as Alexia Anastasio’s 2011 documentary “Adventures in Plymptoons.” Not familiar with Bill Plympton? Kanye West is.

The festival also includes a screening of “The Iron Giant;” a revival of Matt Stone and Trey Parker”s “Team America: World Police;” and the 10th anniversary revisitation of “Shrek.” Passes aren’t yet available to the general public, but www.laafest.com will provide more details.

– Jevon Phillips

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