International Festival of Animated Objects
The International Festival of Animated Objects is a biennial festival sponsored by the non-profit group Calgary Animated Objects Society that promotes the arts of puppetry, mask, and animated objects. It takes place in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The IFAO features high calibre local, national, and international artists working in the realm of animated objects. Programming includes live performances, screenings, lectures, workshops, and exhibitions for all ages, and adult audiences, including the ever-popular late night "Dolly Wiggler Cabaret" and "Opening Night Galabash".
Past programming has included Canadian marionette superstar Ronnie Burkett, BC spectacle artists Three on the Tree, Tsimphisan carver Victor Reece, Cirque du Soleil artist Mooky Cornish, Phillip Huber, Frank Meschkuleit, Calgary's The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, Red Smarteez, and Czech group Buchty a Loutky, amongst others.
Puppets on Film is the screening portion of the International Festival of Animated Objects. Submissions for the film portion may be made through Withoutabox.
Supporting the IFAO are the following organizations: