4 REASOns WHY JAMAICAN ANIMATION ENTHUSIAST SHOULD ATTEND KINGSTOON FEST

Oh Yes! In only two short days the largest Jamaican animation festival/conference, Kingstoon is finally upon us and, we are ecstatic! After the unfortunate last-minute postponement of the event back in January, we are happy to finally attend this year's Kingstoon. Here at Blue Crescent Studio, we are in love with all things animation and thus will be making the voyage down to the University of Technology this Friday. Here are our 4 reasons why we believe those that have even a tiny interest in animation should attend Kingstoon:

#1. SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN ANIMATION (BOTH LOCALly & iNTERNATIONALLY) WILL BE THERE 

​Since its first staging back in 2016, Kingstoon developed a reputation for hosting reputable speakers from major studios/companies all over the world and this year is no exception.  Representatives from the likes of LA-based Pipsqueak Animation, Golden Apple Production and Toon Boom will be present, not only for keynotes but also hands-on workshops. In addition, prominent figures in the local animation industry will also be taking part with the session hosted by 3D modeller and Kingstoon 2016 winner, Corretta Singer a real highlight. 

#2. the film screenings 

​We can't have an animation festival and conference without...well, the animation. Another major feature of Kingstoon is the animated film screenings and competitions that takes place at the event. Each day, finalists' entries from categories such as 'Best International Student Film' and 'Best Short Film' are shown to a watching audience and judges to determine the winners. You can consider it a free time at the movies where we get to witness some of the best international and local animated talents on hand.  

#3. TO  GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE JAMAICA'S ANIMATION Industry  IS  AND  WHERE  IS  IT  GOING

​One reason why the kingstoon annual conferences began, was to establish an 'Appreciate Jamaica and the wider Caribbean as rich sources of Afro-descendant stories'. This is indeed important as the Caribbean is absolutely bursting at the seams with stories that need to be told and animation is perfect for that. However, Kingstoon has another purpose and that is to 'Engage in dialogue on how the Caribbean should position itself globally to participate in the animation industry.' The animation industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean on a whole is indeed growing but still, have some ways to go before we are a global powerhouse. With attending events such as 'Jamaica’s Strategic Plan for Participating in the global animation industry – A Proposal' hosted by Carlos Biern from the office of the Prime Minister, the current state of the industry would become much clearer.

#4. SIMPLE PUT...IT WILL BE GREAT FUN

The largest draw for attending Kingstoon is the sheer amount of fun an animation enthusiast can have. Apart from all of the Keynotes, the workshops, the film screenings, there will be a multitude of different engaging events that will be going throughout the three days of the festival. There will be art and animation exhibitions, display booths and even cosplayers from Anime Nerds of Jamaica. It is an animation enthusiast's dreamland.

Kingstoon 2019 opens its door this Friday at 10am for the opening ceremony and conclude Sunday evening. For all the information on the event including registration you can head on over to https://kingstoonfest.com. For more animation check out our recent Top 5 list of the biggest fools in cartoon history.