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James Cunningham

Animator, Director

 James Cunningham

 James Cunningham
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James Cunningham

James Cunningham made a name for himself after creating a run of stylish CGI-animated shorts — from 1997‘s Delf, and Cannes-selected Infection, through to acclaimed WWI tale Poppy. Now teaching 3D animation at Auckland’s Media Design School, Cunningham is also directing live action shorts, while developing a CGI feature with producing partner Paul Swadel.

Animation is all about distilling a subject down to its very essence. Great animation finds the heart of a subject and shows it clearly and simply for all to understand. 
 
 

Screenography

Screenography
 Role/s
 First Contact

First Contact

Producer
Editor
Director

2010

 Slightly Fishy

Slightly Fishy

Animator
Writer
Producer
Director

2010

 Time for Change

Time for Change

Producer
Director

2010

 Das Tub

Das Tub

Director
Producer

2009

 Poppy

Poppy

Director
CG Supervisor - Lead

2009

 The Big Picture

The Big Picture

Special Effects

2007

 The Devil Dared Me To

The Devil Dared Me To

Special Effects

2007

 Infection

Infection

Writer
Director
Animator

1999

 Blinder

Blinder

Writer
Director
Animator

1998

 Delf

Delf

Director
Writer
Animator

1997


The titles listed here may not reflect this person's full screenography. These are only the titles that are included in or referenced by this site.

Awards

2011 Aotearoa Film and Television Awards
Nominated (twice) for Outstanding Technical Contribution to a Short Film: for Das Tub and First Contact

2011 Honolulu Film Awards
Best Director: for Das Tub

2011 Aspens Shortsfest
Best Short Short: Das Tub

2010 Siggraph (Computer Graphics Conference - Asia)
Best In Show: Poppy

2010 Siggraph (Los Angeles)
Jury Prize: Poppy

2009 Qantas Film and Television Awards
Outstanding Technical Contribution to a Short Film: James Cunningham - for Poppy

2001 Sundance Film Festival
In Competition: Infection

2001 Fantasia Film Festival (Canada)
Jury Prize: Infection

2001 Aspen Shortsfest (United States)
Animated Eye Award: Infection

2001 Just for Laughs Film Festival (Montreal)
Jury Prize: Infection

2001 Dresden Film Festival (Germany)
Youth Jury Award: Honourable Mention: for Infection

2000 Cannes Film Festival
In Competition: Infection

2000 NZ Film Awards
Best Short Film: Infection
Best Craft Contribution to a Short Film: James Cunningham (Infection), for CGI Creation and Animation