Cinelicious Provides 4K Restoration for Academy Animation Showcase at SIGGRAPH

L.A.-based Cinelicious recently contributed to the 4K restoration of the films featured in Giants’ First Steps, a program by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with Acme Filmworks’ executive producer and program curator Ron Diamond. The film will be presented July 22 at the Academy’s annual “Marc Davis Lecture in Animation” as part of the keynote lecture for SIGGRAPH, meeting this year at the Anaheim Convention Center.

For Giants’ First Steps, Cinelicious completed 4K restoration of the important early works of a selection of prolific animation directors including Andrew Stanton, Henry Selick, David Silverman, John Musker, Ron Clements, Eric Goldberg, Kirk Wise, Pete Docter, Mike Mitchell, Brenda Chapman, Kevin Lima and Chris Sanders.

The diverse collection spanned S8mm, 16mm and 35mm with many film elements including color and b/w ORP, OCN or A-B negative. Cinelicious was tasked with archival film analysis to determine which elements were best quality for mastering, as well as scanning 16mm and 35mm film and audio elements at 4K resolution on the company’s Scanity film scanner. Each film was color graded and restored as necessary with final deliverables being 4K Arrilaser film recording and new release prints, as well as 4K master and HD mezzanine digital files.

“It is an honor to be selected for this project, and we are thrilled to help the Academy and Acme Filmworks showcase the inspired early work of these animation masters,” Cinelicious president Paul Korver said. “SIGGRAPH audiences are in for a truly spectacular presentation.”

The entire collection of restored Giants’ First Steps animated shorts will be available on DVD July 22 at www.filmporium.com.