El Salon Mexico Wins Best Animation at the Rome International Film Festival and Independent’s Film Festival
Sylvia Award
Contact: Paul Glickman (505) 438-8461; pglickman@earthlink.netNew Mexico-made animation El Salon Mexico received the coveted "Sylvia" award for Best Animated Film at the Rome International Film Festival 2009 this week.
Harry Musselwhite, festival director, congratulated filmmakers Paul Glickman and Tamarind King on their win by e-mail. The film was the only festival entry shown twice, once during the animation section of the festival and then at the screening of the winning feature film. The short also recently won the “Best Independent Animation” award in the 2009 Independent’s Film Festival (IFF) sponsored by the Education Channel. A story the 66-year-old Director Paul Glickman had been dreaming about for 40 years, El Salon Mexico brings to life the classical music piece of the same name by famed classical composer Aaron Copland. Without any dialogue, it tells the adventures of Antonito, a nine year old Mexican peasant, who sneaks out of the house one evening with his burro and rooster to see a fiesta for the first time. Mr. Glickman hadn't attempted the animation earlier because he was waiting for the right artist with whom to collaborate. When introduced to 13 year old Tamarind King of Albuquerque, who was seeking an animation mentorship, Paul knew he had found his partner. "Never had I seen such incredible talent in someone that young," said Glickman. Two years after they met, Paul shared his idea with Ms. King and she agreed to provide the graphics for him. With just a few completed scenes, they submitted their project to the New Visions Contract Award Competition, presented by Governor Bill Richard son and the NM Film Office, and won $20,000 to complete the film. "It's taken a total of at least three years because at the same time she was working on El Salon Mexico, Tamarind was completing her home schooling by taking high school coursework online." Things did not always go smoothly. Last year Paul was diagnosed with throat cancer and sought treatment in Houston where he received seven weeks of radiation therapy. However, even during therapy they continued working on the project. Upon completion of her high school education in 2008, Tamarind was accepted into the Stanford University Animation Program and despite her heavy work load, still managed to deliver the incredible graphics that allowed the video to be completed August 1, 2009. Stills from the video here: http://elsalonmexico.com/orders.html
