35mm Screening of ‘The Transformers: The Movie’ Headed To Animation Block Party (Exclusive)

Brooklyn’s annual animation gathering, Animation Block Party (ABP), is firming up the programming schedule for its thirteenth annual edition, which takes place July 28-31. Organizers have locked two major events, they revealed to Cartoon Brew today.

On the afternoon of Friday, July 29, ABP will present a historical survey of New York City-produced animation advertising. Curated by East Coast commercial producer J.J. Sedelmaier, the program will include animated ads from the Flesicher Bros. (Western Electric, 1929), Shamus Culhane (Ajax elves, 1949), the Hubleys (Marky Maypo, 1956), Terrytoons (Tootsie Roll, 1959), and Jack Zander (Crest, 1977), to name but a few. A panel discussion following the screening will include East Coast artists Howard Beckerman, Emily Hubley, and Doug Crane.

Then, on Friday evening, ABP is offering a 30th anniversary screening of Toei Animation’s The Transformers: The Movie. The Eighties-produced anime, directed by Nelson Shin, will be screened from an original 35mm print.

Among other things, Transformers is famously the last role of Orson Welles, who recorded his voice five days before dying. It was also among the final roles of Scatman Crothers. The historic toy-driven film remains popular with fans to this day, and includes plenty of quirky elements, including a soundtrack that contains Weird Al Yankovic and Stan Bush’s hair metal classic “The Touch”:

Both of these screenings will take place at the BAMcinématek in Brooklyn. The full festival line-up will be announced on June 24. For more details, visit animationblock.com.