'Spike and Mike' Celebrate 30 Years of Animation in La Jolla

Fans of the Spike and Mike Festival of Animation have even more to look forward to this year, as the kingpin of digital short festivals celebrates its 30th anniversary. The festival will bring back some of the most award-winning, interesting and beloved shorts in its history. This year's event will run on weekends from Feb. 9 through March 30 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla.

“It is an accumulation of the most prolific, award-winning and funny shorts, coupled with the newest, most technologically advanced and stunning short animations I could find in the past year,” Craig ‘Spike’ Decker said. “The directors of these short animations went on later to direct the feature films that you might go and love.  It’s good to see where things come from some times and reflect on the possibilities.”

Narrowing the list of films to be screened down to 20 was no easy feat. Decker poured over old festival flyers and videos to create the final lineup.

“It was really fun reliving all the old festivals, getting in touch with the animators who I've worked with over the years,” Decker said.  

Among the films that will be screened, include Bunny by Chris Wedge, who also directed Ice Age, and Academy Award winners Creature Comforts by Nick Park and Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase by Joan Gratz.

In addition to viewing some of the most popular digital shorts and animations, attendees will have an opportunity to meet some of the most respected animators, directors and producers in the business including director and producer of The Simpsons David Silverman, and Wreck-it Ralph Director Rich Moore, both of whom were 2013 Oscar nominees. Silverman and Moore will field questions during pre-screening Q&A sections, and also sign autographs during intermission. Silverman will attend the opening reception on Feb. 9 and 10, while Moore will be at the festival on March 1 and 2.

“Both are great friends of the Spike and Mike Festival and are amazing people in the entertainment and animation industry,” Decker said. “Both have directed blockbuster films for the biggest studios in the industry.”

The Spike and Mike Festival of Animation has become increasingly popular over the past 30 years and more than 12,000 people are expected to attend. The festival has partnered with local restaurants Burger Lounge, Puesto and Herringbone, which will be offering special discounts for festival attendees before and after the show.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance for $13.50, or can be purchased at the door one hour in advance of the show. Shows begin at 7pm and run for about 90 minutes. For more information, visit spikeandmike.com.