ANIMANIA
Canadian Documentary Premiere on OMNI.2
English language version – Monday, April 7th at 11PM ET on OMNI.2
March 27, 2008 - Toronto, ON - Rogers OMNI Television is proud to present the world television premiere of Animania as part of the OMNI Television Signature Series. The 60 minute documentary launches to English speaking audiences on OMNI.2, Monday, April 7th at 11:00 p.m.
The latest production from Gorica Productions, Animania takes an intense look at the fascinating world of Japanese anime and how its zealous pursuit by youthful fans has become a phenomenon unto itself. From wearing costumes of their favourite characters, to living out their fantasy world at conventions, today’s teens are infatuated to the extreme with Japanese anime -- the biggest cultural phenomena out of the East since Godzilla.
Similar to Star Trek conventions, anime conventions are known for costume contests where anime fans dress up and try to impress the judges on stage. These competitors, known as “cosplayers,” show off elaborate handmade creations and role-play at “masquerades”. Animania follows four cosplayers of diverse ethnicity as they compete at Anime North in Toronto, one of the largest anime conventions; each one has found a different outlet to express a love of anime, but share a common love of all things “Japan-imated.”
This is one club you’ll not see featured in any high school yearbook!
What is the appeal of anime for teens? What is it about anime that makes fans spend hours watching videos and trying to become these characters? What do their parents think of this obsession?
Animania examines these questions and more, revealing as much about family, individuality and the Japanese identity, as it does about the teen psyche – aired earlier this year for Japanese speaking audiences – and now for English language viewers, Monday, April 7th at 11:00 p.m. on OMNI.2.
Animania was exclusively funded through OMNI's Independent Producers Initiative, a $32.5 million independent production fund that to date has supported over 200 new documentary programmes. Interested producers can access funding criteria at OMNI Television’s web site http://www.omnitv.ca/ontario/info/funds .
About Rogers OMNI Television
Rogers OMNI Television is a free over-the-air regional broadcasting system operated by Rogers Communications in the Rogers Media division. The OMNI stations have the collective mandate to reflect Canada’s diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible multilingual/multicultural programming.
About Gorica Productions
Gorica Productions is a Toronto-based television production company that makes documentaries for worldwide broadcast. Felice Gorica, Producer and Director of Animania, is founder and president.
To secure a screening copy of Animania, photos for print or to interview anyone associated with its production – in Japanese or in English -- please contact:
OMNI Television Media Contact:
Sandy Zwyer – Programme Information Coordinator, 416-260-3590 sandy.zwyer@rci.rogers.com
Gorica Productions Media Contact:
Felice Gorica - 416-324-1332
gorica@interlog.com
