IRENE KOTLARZ (Founding Director of the PLATFORM International Animation Festival)

Irene Kotlarz is the founding director of the PLATFORM International Animation Festival, the newest and most ambitious animation festival in the U.S. PLATFORM focuses on establishing an environment for innovative animators and filmmakers to showcase their artistry and creativity through a dynamic artform that has experienced exponential growth in the global market. The past two decades, Irene has been very influential in the animation industry, holding high level executive positions in a number of premier animation festivals, while also writing and producing in the field.

Irene became interested in animation while teaching art history at Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College, which offers one of the oldest and most respected animation courses in the UK. With a Masters degree in Art History, Irene developed a specialized animation history program for Surrey Institute, teaching emerging animators about its origins and studying the work of pioneers in the field. Her passion and enthusiasm for the art form prompted the Royal College of Art and the National Film School to request Irene as a guest lecturer. She has also participated in film and lecture tours in Australia, Canada, Japan, and in many countries throughout Europe. Irene's literary works have been featured in scholarly and trade journals including Screen, Undercut and Shots.

In the mid 1980's, Irene became Director of the Cambridge Animation Festival in the UK. Founded in 1965, Cambridge was one of the first international animation festivals in the world. With Irene at the helm, the Festival rapidly expanded and outgrew the city of Cambridge, necessitating a move first to Bristol, and then to Cardiff, Wales, where it settled in the 1990's. During Irene's tenure, the Festival introduced many new talents and rising stars of animation, including Nick Park, whose Oscar-winning Creature Comforts and Wallace and Gromit feature film Grand Day Out both premiered in Bristol.

Irene moved into full-time production in 1993, becoming Executive Producer at London`s Speedy Films. She divided her time between London and New York, producing short animated films, including the award-winning Abductees and commercials for Britain and the US. She has also produced and consulted for programs on animation for the BBC (including Animation Week, introduced by Paul McCartney), Channel 4, ITV and MTV's Liquid Television.

Irene relocated to Los Angeles in 1997, and continues to be heavily involved in the animation industry. She served as a judge in the 2001 LA International Animation Celebration and has acted as curator on animation programs for Disney Concert Hall's Redcat Theater. Irene's television work has included acting as a consultant for the UK documentary series on animation, Dope Sheet, and interviewing The Simpsons creator Matt Groening for BBC. In 2004, Irene produced a segment of Drew Carey`s Green Screen Show, a Comedy Central series which combined animation with improvisation.

In addition to conceiving, planning and coordinating the inaugural PLATFORM Festival, Irene has spent much of the last few years promoting and advancing animation by lecturing at universities like USC and Cal Arts, contributing to journals such as Animation World Network (AWN), and serving as curator for festivals including the LA International Animation Celebration and UK`s Animated Encounters.

ANNE DENMAN (Student Program and Workshops Director PLATFORM International Animation Festival)

Anne Denman has an extensive background in animation, working on numerous productions including the position of Production Coordinator for Gary Larson's Tales from the Farside (episodes I & II, 1994, 1996) at the renowned International Rocketship Limited.

Prior to assuming the position of Director of the Student Program and Panel Coordinator for Platform International Animation Festival, Anne managed the Vancouver Film School's Classical Animation department for eight years. During this time she produced the short animated film The Fall, which showcased the software company “Toon Boom” to Canadian Embassies worldwide. Anne is also a board member of Women In Animation International and a voting member for the Canadian Cinema & Television as well as Women In Film & Video Vancouver.