Overview

Sweaty Eyeballs began in 2012 as the brainchild of animator and Towson University professor Phil Davis as a way to bring unique voices in international and independent animation to Baltimore audiences. The festival has been a single night invitational screening from 2012-2018 with a diverse array of animated narrative, documentary, music videos, and experimental work pushing the boundaries of art, craft, and technology. In the 2017 the programming of Sweaty Eyeballs expanded to include a monthly animation screening series in collaboration with the Maryland Film Festival and the SNF Parkway Theatre. Past programming has included Oscar Nominated animation, live music and foley sound performances, guest curators, animator retrospectives, student work, and more. In 2019 Sweaty Eyeballs is expanding once again from a single night invitational to a three day festival of international animation. The mission of Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival is to showcase unique, experimental and diverse voices in the field of animated filmmaking with a focus on innovation in craft, storytelling and work that questions preconceived notions of what animation can and should be. The festival focus is primarily on animated short films (under 20 minutes) and will include three programs of international contemporary work that highlights the expressive potential of the medium. Along with the international shorts competition programs there will also be a competition program of international student animation. The festival will include a guest animator retrospective, curated programs, a Baltimore animation showcase, a midnight screening, animation workshops, animation projection/installations, and late night cartoon parties. Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival will foster a community of animation lovers and creators in the mid-Atlantic region and allow a venue for often overlooked work to be seen on the big screen.