GIRAF 22 Signal Film Artist: Jiwoo Kim

Hi! My name is Jiwoo Kim, and I am a Korean animator based in Calgary, Alberta. My animation work is surreal, playful, and a little unhinged. My artistic practice focuses on retelling everyday experiences and struggles in surreal and comical ways. For example, my debut film, COWMAN, tells the story of a farmer and his cow and their bizarre and dramatic transformation on an otherwise peaceful farm. Through my work, I aim to bring smiles to people's faces and tell stories that make difficult situations feel a little more bearable. Above all, I hope my films make people laugh, have fun, and feel seen.

For GIRAF's 22nd Signal Film, I will be creating something inspired by a relatable daily struggle of mine: allergies. Apparently, I sneeze really loudly, and my friends point it out all the time. I thought it would be fun to create something funny and relatable for the festival.

For the visual style, I am aiming for a mixed media approach. I love adding lots of texture to my films. As I did in COWMAN, I will animate in a 3D claymation-inspired style, but I also plan to incorporate different animation techniques and mediums. By combining these styles, I hope to create something visually exciting and unique for GIRAF's 22nd Signal Film.