Governor Richardson Announces Winners of the 2008 Governor’s Cup Short Animation Competition
Two winning animated shorts to be produced in NM this summer
Contact: NM Film Office (505) 476-5600SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson today announced the winners of the 2008 Governor’s Cup Animation Documentary Competition: Jeff Drew of Albuquerque, and Frederick Aragon of Taos.
“These filmmakers represent some of the best of New Mexico’s media talent,” stated Governor Bill Richardson. “I’m pleased to solidify our efforts to provide support and exposure for the animation community, which is growing so rapidly in our state.” Funded entirely by Pangea Pictures Corporation and the National Geographic All Roads Film Project, each winner will receive a $10,000 budget toward the creation of their short animated project, plus use of software, trainees and equipment from state schools and Pangea Pictures. Eric Witt, Director of Media Arts & Entertainment Development for Governor Bill Richardson, noted the ongoing success of the Governor’s Cup competition. “Bringing the work of New Mexicans to a larger audience remains a top priority,” he stated. “This competition has repeatedly discovered some of the most promising media artists in the state.” The winner of the Pangea Pictures prize is ONE SQUARE MILE OF EARTH, by Jeff Drew. Jeff is an animator, director and illustrator who has developed a signature moving-collage style, seen in many commercials and in illustrated covers for The Weekly Alibi. Working with the Albuquerque-based comedy duo The Pajama Men (Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez), Drew describes ONE SQUARE MILE OF EARTH as “a cut-and-paste moving collage world filled with an array of furry, scaley and sometimes slimy characters.” The winner in the National Geographic All Roads category is COYOTE TALES: MYSTERY’S NIGHT by Frederick Aragon. This short animation tells the tale of Coyote, who has never been able to make someone love him – and his journey to change that. Aragon is a musician and storyteller with a background in graphic design, illustration and animation. He has created two cd’s of original stories and music, and expands his animating career with COYOTE TALES. The five-member selection panel included the following: Derrick Ballard has over 14 years of experience in the multimedia and design industries and has served as a project designer with Antoine Predock Architect since 1999. Since 2003 he has also spearheaded Evoc, a design research and development institution that capitalizes on the advent of performative techniques for architecture, set design, generative design and eco-sustainability. Francene J. Blythe (Navajo/Dakota/Cherokee) is an advocate for indigenous storytellers around the globe. An actress for over twenty years, Ms. Blythe has been a panel reviewer for ReNew Media, Native American Public Telecommunications and the Sundance Institute’s Native Initiative. She currently serves as Director of the National Geogrpahic All Roads Film Project in Washington, DC. Troy D. Fernandez is Deputy Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Fernandez served as Deputy Director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Special Projects Coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Health, and Deputy Director of the New Mexico Health Policy Commission. Mr. Fernandez is also a psychotherapist and mediator by profession, and fosters lifelong passions as a New Mexican santero, oral historian, and flamenco dancer. Chris Kientz (Cherokee) is a 2004 Governor’s Cup winner whose career has grown briskly since then. He is creator of the award-winning children’s animated series RAVEN TALES, and recently completed a new series titled TASK FORCE SHAMAN. Mr. Kientz is a consultant to numerous media schools and businesses in New Mexico, and is currently working on his first live-action short film. Jason Libersky is a native New Mexican and Senior Vice President for Technology and Strategic Development for Pangea Pictures Corporation. Mr. Libersky is also a founder of UVAi, an internet technology and business development company. He has also held positions at Alo Groups, LLC, Sandia National Laboratories and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. The All Roads Film Project is a National Geographic initiative, which provides a global platform for indigenous and minority-culture storytellers to bring their lives, experiences, and cultures to new audiences, through seed grants, film festivals and a photography program. “We're excited to work with Frederick Aragon for the All Roads category of the Governor's Cup,” stated Francene Blythe. “Telling traditional stories in new ways is one of our priorities at All Roads." Pangea Pictures Corporation is an integrated film production, visual special effects and technology company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Pangea is currently developing a state-of-the-art VFX/Post-Production facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Said Senior Vice President Jason Libersky: “We are honored to sponsor the 2008 Governor’s Cup Short Animation Competition, and very excited to be able to help the winners produce their works and develop professionally.”
