Membership Benefits and Discounts
- Voting privileges in our annual Animated Film Festival, a unique showcase for the most groundbreaking independent and commercial animation being produced in the industry today.
- Special discounts to festivals and screenings such as the Ottawa International Animation Festival, New York International Children’s Film Festival, Rooftop Films, and the Tribeca Film Festival.
- Special invitations to exclusive theatrical screenings of animated features, usually followed by Q and A’s with directors and creators of the films.
- Email newsletter sent to all paying members – featuring member news and area events.
- Promotion on blog of member artwork and animation through our Viewseum.
- All members are encouraged to submit story ideas and articles to our online newsletter, The aNYmator – everything from film reviews to feature articles on animation.
- Free life drawing classes at Titmouse.
- Funds permitting, we throw a kick-ass post-holiday party.
FAQ
Why should I join ASIFA-East?
ASIFA-East is a vibrant community made up of animation professionals and enthusiasts, in the New York Tri-State area and beyond. We encourage and promote a supportive environment for feedback and collaboration on the development of independent and commissioned animation projects. We hold monthly workshops, panel discussions, and screenings dealing with important animation issues and topics. Many members socialize at a local pub after events. Every year, ASIFA-East holds an Animation Festival and Awards Ceremony. It is one of our most popular events of the year, where much of the local animation industry comes out of the woodwork to take part in the celebration of animation.
What does ASIFA-East do with the money it receives through membership dues, festival submissions, etc.?
100% of the proceeds go directly to the organization. The majority of our budget is
our Festival Awards Ceremony. Your fees pay for website upkeep, events promotions through mailing of postcards, event hosting space, food and drink at the reception, insurance on event space, etc.
How do I know when my membership is up?
Look on the label of your postcard for your membership exp. date.
What do ASIFA-East Board Members do?
ASIFA-Board Members are the bandwidth of our operation. All posts are volunteer and unpaid. From brainstorming events, to keeping the aNYmator going with feature articles and member participation, to hosting events, to listening and reporting member feedback, they do all they can to keep a healthy heartbeat to our community.
Who are our members?
A good 75% of our members are comprised of animation professionals. Those include artists and professors of all artistic disciplines – from designers to storyboard artists to animator and editors. From voiceover artists to sound designers. Students also join ASIFA-East, as well as ardent fans of the medium.
How does ASIFA-East choose events?
Most of our event brainstorming happens by the ASIFA-East Board. If you have ideas, don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know!
Why are all ASIFA-East events free?
Right now, ASIFA-East is able to cover the event costs with funds accrued from our membership drives and our Auction. By keeping our events free, we feel we’re doing a service for the community. Our hope is that regulars do their part and contribute by becoming members.
Some Examples of Past Events:
- Inside Sesame Street: A panel discussion on the inner workings of Sesame Workshop
- An Evening with The National Film Board of Canada
- An animation art auction
- A seminar on taxes and sing-along with Steven Zelin, The Singing CPA
- A retrospective featuring the films of Karen Aqua
- A panel discussion on CGI and special effects studios in NYC
- A regular open screening night where animators come to workshop their films and drawings
- The Rauch Bros., presenting the behind-the-scenes story of their StoryCorps films
- An evening with Oscar-winning filmmakers Frank and Caroline Mouris. In the recent past, we’ve also presented evenings with such legends as Yuri Norstein, Richard Williams, Ray Harryhausen, and Bruno Bozzetto, as well as historical programs of rare cartoons curated by animation historians Jerry Beck, Greg Ford, Bill Lorenzo, and Howard Beckerman. Additionally, each year we program a specific international-flavored event to coincide with International Animation Day in October.
