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About the short film

Memories from the Holocaust have been portrayed in almost every medium, but rarely animation -- and never before by a child animator. Animated short film "INGRID PITT: BEYOND THE FOREST" is a cross-generational collaboration between a world-class animation master, two-time Academy Award-nominated Bill Plympton, and a first-time animator, 11-year-old artist Perry Chen. It is narrated by Ingrid Pitt herself.

Starting with Ingrid Pitt's poignant narration and Bill Plympton's 23 traditional pencil sketches as storyboard, award-winning artist and film critic Perry Chen brings this moving story and its contemporary implications alive. Read more

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2012 News Archive

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November - December 2012

Screening at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival

Houston Cinema Arts Festival is devoted to films by and about artists in the visual, performing and literary arts. Thus it's a perfect fit for Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest, which will be showing on the same day as The Poetry Of Resilience. The latter documentary follows six poets who survived and, in their words, transfigured some of the worst political atrocities of the 20th century: Hiroshima, the Holocaust, China's Cultural Revolution and the Kurdish and Rwandan genocides. Festival attendees will be able to learn from and be inspired by these diverse survivors.

The 2012 Festival program will involve collaborations among many of Houston's extraordinary film and arts institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Aurora Picture Show; Asia Society; Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts; Sundance Cinemas; Miller Outdoor Theatre and Project Row Houses. The Festival is a vibrant multimedia arts event that breaks out of the confines of the movie theater through live music and film performances, outdoor projections, and more.

What:	Screening of Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest
When:	Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Where:	Houston, TX (exact location TBA)
More info.	Houston Cinema Arts Festival website

October 2012

Ingrid Pitt's Queen of Horror Festival

We are thrilled to announce that Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest will be screening at Ingrid Pitt's Queen of Horror Festival in Hastings, East Sussex, England in October. The Festival takes place from October 26 - 28; the full schedule of events will be finalized as it gets closer.

This is the very first Queen of Horror Festival, and it's shaping up to be a landmark event! It will be taking place in a variety of venues across Hastings, and will include question-and-answer sessions, film screenings, award ceremonies, panel discussions, celebrity signings, food and drink, and dealers selling movie memorabilia. Artistic Director Melanie Light and designer Ufuoma Urie (Urie) -- two old friends of Ingrid's -- are putting together some outstanding decor designs to give the show that extra something.

To name just a few of the not-to-be-missed events:

• Joining Maddy Smith, Damien Thomas, Robert Young, and Peter Duffel on the Red Carpet to the Celebrity Lounge will be Hastings' own Horror star, Emily Booth. Emily has starred in many genre outings and will be presenting one of her own films, Evil Aliens, at the Electric Palace Cinema. Emily is chief presenter for the Horror Channel. She will also appear on stage for a reading from the film script, based on Ingrid's book, Dracula Who?, to be launched at the show. An astounding coincidence: When Emily first came to the Queen of Horror office, they found out that she actually grew up in the house next door!
• Another prized guest is Carol Cleveland. Carol appeared in no fewer than 30 of the 45 episodes of the iconic TV show, Monty Python's Flying Circus and starred in all the Monty Python films. Carol grew up in America and was crowned Miss California, and was also named as one of the three most beautiful women in the world in Splendor magazine.
• Adding luster to the lineup is top horror writer James Herbert. James has had a string of international best sellers since The Rats first hit the shelves way back in 1974. James and Ingrid were close friends.
• The Ingrid Pitt Short Story Award -- for "new and original tales of terror that chill the soul!" -- will be presented at a gala event on October 27th.
• There is a new film award in Ingrid's memory, to identify and promote outstandingly creative films. Winning entries for the Ingrid Pitt Film Award will be chosen by a panel of judges and screened at a special event during the Festival, and winners will be presented with their awards by director Robert Young (Vampire Circus, Fierce Creatures, etc.). Categories include "The Queen of Horror Award" for a film with a ghostly or horrific theme, and "The Premier Screening Award" for a film on any theme, fiction or otherwise, receiving its first public screening.

Be sure to see the official website for all the latest news and schedule information. You can read about the different ticket options and purchase tickets (click "shop" from top menu) here. It's sure to be a fang-tastic experience!

Meet director Kevin Sean Michaels at Son of Monsterpalooza

This weekend! The Son of Monsterpalooza convention is going on now, October 26 - 28, at the Marriott Burbank Hotel and Convention Center in Burbank, California. Kevin Sean Michaels, the director of Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest will be at the Hollywood Book and Poster table -- please stop by and say hello!

Son of Monsterpalooza is a must-attend event for horror fans. Events include costume contests, monstrous makeup demos, and behind-the-scenes exposés from industry professionals. Of course there's a long list of special guests and plenty of vendors and artists ready to serve your holiday shopping needs.

The guests include Lisa Marie and George "The Animal" Steele, who you may remember from the film Ed Wood. Ashlynn Yennie, who appeared in Kevin Sean Michaels' Vampira Chant video will be a guest as well, on Saturday only. A very limited edition of the Vampira Chant on DVD will be available at Monsterpalooza -- a copy signed by Kevin and Ashlynn would be the perfect gift for that special horror fan in your life!

Please see the official website for all the convention information. Hope to see you there!

Screening at the Transbay Festival

We were excited to learn that Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest will be screening at the first-ever Transbay Festival in San Francisco, California. The Transbay Festival is an innovative modular event series featuring a fusion of technology and entertainment celebrating film, video, transmedia, apps, games and augmented reality. The Transbay Fest will focus on how progressive technology and traditional storytelling can work seamlessly to elevate both forms and influence the future of entertainment.

What:	Screening of Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest
When:	Friday, October 12, 2012, approximately 4:00 PM (as part of the "New Filmmakers" program)
Where:	San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking, 925 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
More info.	listing on Transbay Fest website

July - September 2012

Screening at Dallas VideoFest 25

We are honored that Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest will be screening at Dallas VideoFest at the Dallas Museum of Art. The Animated Shorts program, in which our short is included, is at 1:30 PM on Saturday, September 29th.

Dallas VideoFest takes place from September 26 through the 30th. It's one of the oldest nonprofit film festivals in the United States, and focuses on independent, experimental, and short films, as well as alternative documentaries, animation, and more. We recommend that you buy a day pass, which allows you to watch a variety of films in multiple theaters, including international and local work from emerging and established artists.

Please see the official website for all the details.

Meet director Kevin Sean Michaels at Monster-Mania in Maryland

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest director Kevin Sean Michaels will be at the Scare Tactix Graphix booth at the Monster-Mania convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland, September 28 - 30. If you'll be at the convention, please stop by to say hello! Of course, VAMP Productions merchandise will also be available for purchase, and can be autographed.

The official Monster-Mania website has all the details (and some rather peculiar FAQs!).

May - June 2012

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest wins Special Jury Award at WorldFest Film Festival

We are pleased to announce that Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest has won a "Special Jury Remi Award" in the short subject division at the 45th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, where it screened on April 15, 2012. WorldFest is one of the oldest and largest film and video competitions in the world, and takes place in Houston, Texas.

"Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest was also one of the top contenders for the Grand Remi Award (the statuette), so it is one of the very highest placing entries in the Short Subjects division," said Kathleen Haney, WorldFest's Artistic and Program Director. "At WorldFest, you can discover the Spielbergs and Ang Lees of tomorrow, on the big silver screen today!"

"What a great honor to win this Special July Remi Award at WorldFest, following the footsteps of Bill Plympton, Steven Spielberg, and Ang Lee!" said Perry Chen. "April 19, 2012 was Holocaust Remembrance Day. I hope more children and adults can watch our film to keep the history lessons alive. Mom and I also want to thank our sponsors Toon Boom Animation, Wacom, and Reel Picture for their wonderful support."

April 2012

Animator Perry Chen wins Best Animation award at International Family Film Festival

We're thrilled to announce that Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest animator Perry Chen won the award for Best Animation (age 8-13) at the 17th International Family Film Festival (IFFF) on March 24th. Pictured above, Perry holds his award, accompanied on the red carpet by event organizer Chris Shoemaker. Congratulations, Perry!

The event and award were covered in Animation World Network and by our sponsor Toon Boom. For additional information about the festival and more photos, please see the official IFFF website and Perry's website, Perry's Previews.

Below, Perry Chen receiving the award from Chris Shoemaker and Patte Dee McKee.

Event Recap

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest screened at the Los Angeles Animation Festival (LAAF) on March 10th, as part of a tribute to animator Bill Plympton. Below, we see Kevin Sean Michaels, Perry Chen, and Bill Plympton on the red carpet. Photo courtesy of Zhu Shen.

March 2012

Bill Plympton Honored at 2012 Los Angeles Animation Festival

The Los Angeles Animation Festival (LAAF) returns for its 3rd annual event with new screenings of animated feature films and shorts from around the world, exclusive panels, and parties celebrating the animation community. The Festival will run from Wednesday, March 7th through Sunday, March 11th at the historic Regent Showcase in Hollywood. LAAF announced they have enlisted longtime LAAF supporter, Sean Lennon, as Artistic Director and will honor Bill Plympton at this year's festival. "Beyond celebrating the world of animation, LAAF provides up and coming animators the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and showcase their work," said John Andrews, LAAF Founder & Co-Director. "This year we're excited to honor one of the greats of animation, Bill Plympton, whose work and independent career have inspired so many of us in the field of animation."

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest will screen at the Festival as part of a tribute to Plympton on Saturday, March 10th at 7:30pm and The 1st Annual Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award will be presented as part of this program.

On Sunday, March 11th at 8pm, Asifa-Hollywood presents the 20th Anniversary Screening of Honoree Bill Plympton's The Tune and Plympton will accept an award from the festival.

Regent Showcase, 614 North La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
www.laafest.com

February 2012

Viscera and WiHM Love Women and Horror Right Down to the Bone

In association with Cella Art Gallery, Femme Fatale Art Show, and City of Hope, the Viscera organization will be rolling out the bloody carpet in North Hollywood, California on February 25th to host a charity bone marrow swab registration to cap off our 2012 celebration of Women in Horror Recognition Month. Come out to support and help raise awareness about bone marrow donation through the City of Hope organization.

Our short film, Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest will screen at the event, along with other women-themed films and fantastic artworks. Come and support a great cause.

Cella Gallery, 5229 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

January 2012

DVD replicator Reel Picture sponsors Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest

We are pleased to announce our latest sponsor Reel Picture. Reel Picture has generously manufactured DVD copies of Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest for distribution to press and industry personnel.

Pictured above, Perry Chen and Keith Wright, VP Sales & Marketing of Reel Picture, outside the Reel Picture offices in San Diego, California. "I am so happy to be a part of this DVD project," said Keith Wright. "Perry is an inspiration to all young people that with hard work we can do incredible things. This is a groundbreaking production and Reel Picture is proud to be a supplier for the DVD manufacturing and packaging on Beyond the Forest."

Thank you, Reel Picture! Others interested in supporting our independent film, please see our donor page.

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest wins Special Jury Award for Extraordinary Vision at Flyway Film Festival

We are thrilled to announce that Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest won the Special Jury Award for Extraordinary Vision at the Flyway Film Festival, where it was an official selection and screened on October 22. Pictured above, Kevin Sean Michaels accepting the Flyway Ax award from Rick Vaicius of Flyway. The award itself is a sculpture made of solid granite, designed by nationally recognized Wisconsin artist David Culver. The photo is courtesy of James Ramsay.

Dr. Jud Newborn concludes his work with Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest team

As of November 30, 2011, Dr. Jud Newborn is no longer working on promotions, fund raising etc. for Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest. Of course we continue to appreciate and thank him for his hard work as Co-Producer, Creative Consultant and Historical Adviser, and wish him luck in his future endeavors. All questions about the short should be directed to Kevin Sean Michaels, Theodora Michaels, and/or Zhu Shen.

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