It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Leib, long-time member of the FilmColumbia family, and co-creator of FC favorite, “Animation for Grownups.” Gary was the animator for American Splendor, directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pucini, which was screened at FilmColumbia in 2003. A few years later, Gary took part in an animation panel at FilmColumbia. He was so taken with the Crandell Theatre and the vibe of the area that he and his wife Judy Glantzman first rented, then bought a second home nearby. After the panel that year, FilmColumbia Festival Director Calliope Nicholas proposed that Gary put together an animation program. He jumped on the opportunity enthusiastically, but with a warning – it wouldn’t be suitable for kids. His idea was to show the best and wildest of cutting edge animation shorts…

2021 Oscar Nominated Short Films
Live Action: The Present – Farah Nabulsi (Palestine) Feeling Through – Doug Roland and Susan Ruzenski (USA) Two Distant Strangers – Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe (USA) White Eye – Tomer Shushan and Shira Hochman (Israel) The Letter Room – Elvira Lind and Sofia Sondervan (USA) Animation: Burrow – Madeline Sharafian and Michael Capbarat (USA) Genius Loci – Adrien Mérigeau and Amaury Ovise (France) Opera – Erick Oh (USA/South Korea) If Anything Happens I Love You – Will McCormack and Michael Govier (USA) Yes-People – Gísli Darri Halldórsson and Arnar Gunnarsson (Iceland) BONUS FILMS: Kapaemahu (USA) The Snail and the Whale (UK/Germany) To Gerard (USA) Documentary: A Love Song for Latasha – Sophia Nahli Allison and Janice Duncan (USA, 18 min.) Do Not Split – Anders Hammer and Charlotte Cook (USA/Norway, 36 min.) Hunger Ward – Skye Fitzgerald and…