Skybound Presents: Spike and Mike’s Festival of Animation

Image: Skybound

This weekend, Skybound announced that it’s acquired the rights to Spike and Mike’s Festival of Animation. Founded in the 1970s by Mike Gribble and Craig “Spike” Decker, with the Sick and Twisted version debuting in 1990, the festival has featured cutting edge independent animation from many artists that went on to become huge names. These include the likes of Mike Judge (Beavis & Butthead), Nick Park (Wallace and Gromit), and Pixar’s Pete Docter (Monsters Inc., Up). Skybound will relaunch the animation events, make animated shorts available digitally, and bring back the Spike & Mike library.

Skybound is bringing back the festival’s original flavors, with a new addition. There’s the classic Festival of Animation, Sick & Twisted featuring NSFW boundary-pushing work, and the new Arty Farty category, focusing on prestige award competition animation. Submissions are now open for all three for the US, Canada, and UK. Awards include project stipends, acquisitions, and development opportunities.

I went to the festival several times growing up, and am ecstatic about this revival. I can’t wait to see all the new work that will be showcased. I’m particularly glad to hear there will be an online showcase. All that needs to happen now is a revival of Liquid Television.

Submission guidelines and other info are available on the Skybound website.