Sydney Opera House

TEKKON KINKREET - CULT ANIME WITH LIVE MUSIC BY PLAID (WARP), FOURPLAY & SYNERGY

Opera Theatre / Sun 21 Aug / 11am

Concert Hall / Sat 20 Aug / 9:45pm
Concert Hall / Sun 21 Aug / 9:15pm

World Premiere. One of the greatest anime films created, Tekkon Kinkreet is a visual wonder that has received cult status and is a definite must see for all anime fans. Featuring live music by London-based British electronic duo Plaid (Warp) who composed the original score, with electric string quartet FourPlay and Synergy.

Australian Premiere. This exclusive preview will showcase songs from Gotye's yet to be released 3^rd album Making Mirrors, performed by a mini orchestra and in synch projected animations. Opening the show is Shaun Tan's Oscar-winning animated short The Lost Thing with live musical score.

Playhouse / Sat 20 Aug / 4pm

SILENT COMICS: ORIGINAL LIVE SCORES PERFORMED TO WORDLESS COMICS

Opera Theatre / Sun 21 Aug / 5pm

In his narrated slide show, Jim Woodring of "Frank" fame provides an overview of his life and career, including insights into the motives and messages of many of his best known works, including his two most recent books, Weathercraft and Congress of the Animals.

World Premiere. Celebrating stories, illustration and music through musicians composing new scores to accompany the projection of wordless comics. Featuring the work of comic artists: Robert Crumb, Nathan Jurevicius (Scary Girl) plus others and performances by Gotye, Plaid (Warp), Seekae and more.

TALKING WITH GODS: A GRANT MORRISON DOCUMENTARY

Playhouse / Sat 20 Aug / 9pm

Playhouse / Sat 20 Aug / 6:45pm

Grant Morrison is one of the most popular writers in comics and one of the most controversial. He is the rock star of comics. He is a man living on the border between fiction and reality and this is his story. Preceding the documentary will be a screening of Statuesque a short film by Neil Gaiman featuring Amanda Palmer.

World Premiere. Be transported into the worlds of indie creators from across China, with a selection of animations from some of the country's best emerging talents that reflect an authentic voice for China's creative class. This is a rare opportunity to see where the animation scene in China is coming from and where it's going.

UNDERSTANDING COMICS WITH SCOTT MCCLOUD: THE ART OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Drama Theatre / Sun 21 Aug / 3pm

PANEL: ALTERED STATES WITH JIM WOODRING, REG MOMBASSA & EDDIE CAMPBELL

Drama Theatre / Sun 21 Aug / 1pm

Comics and cartooning are a language unlike any other. Take a visual journey into the art of "writing with pictures" with Scott McCloud and discover how new stories, new ideas, and new technologies are changing the comics landscape in surprising and unpredictable directions.

An "altered state" of consciousness can be achieved in many ways; hallucinations, drug use, mental disorders, sleep deprivation etc. Join Jim Woodring (Frank), Reg Mombassa and Eddie Campbell when they discuss their thoughts on how an altered state impacts the work of the artist.

Playhouse / Sat 20 Aug / 1:30pm

WORDLESS STORYTELLING AND PETER KUPER'S REVOLUTIONS AND ART

Studio / Sat 20 Aug / 6:30pm

Australian Premiere. Matsuura's hit PlayStation game Parappa the Rapper introduced a new global audience to the potential of music video games. In this special event, he will play live music while some of his latest video games are projected and be interviewed by David Surman.

It's been said that a picture tells a thousand words. Join three of the world's masters in the art of wordless storytelling - Peter Kuper, Jim Woodring and Nathan Jurevicius. With language as no barrier let the images do the talking. Peter Kuper opens proceedings with a discussion on the power of social and political art.

AIR YOUR GRIEVANCES... A ONE PANEL SOAPBOX

Western Foyers / Sun 21 Aug / 4pm

Studio / Sat 20 Aug / 11am

Free Event. What are those things in life that REALLY get your goat? Public transport? Parking tickets? Don't get angry, get even... by drawing a one panel comic. The top 10 will be given their chance to shine by being presented at Graphic and also win a double pass to the Opening Night event.

Free Event. An inspiring and dynamic survey highlighting what is happening in Australian Comics right now. Featuring Let Oslo Davis, Pat Grant, Matt Huynh, Mandy Ord, Matthew Taylor and Leigh Rigozzi who will show you what is gold about Australian Comics.

EDDIE CAMPBELL ON THE LOVELY HORRIBLE STUFF

Studio / Sun 21 Aug / 12pm

Free Event. Eddie Campbell delivers a stand-up performance on his yet to be published book, The Lovely Horrible Stuff. The subject is money. As explained with no authority whatsoever by a man who draws pictures for a living. Featuring unpublished illustrations, histrionics and humorous asides.

SCOTT MCCLOUD MASTERCLASS COMICS: THEORY AND PRACTICE

Utzon Room / Sat 20 Aug / 11am

Utzon Room / Sun 21 Aug / 10am

A visual lecture and intensive hands-on workshop in the art of making comics. Strong emphasis will be given to developing clarity, storytelling skills and personal expression culminating in the creation of a short comics feature, written and drawn by each student.

This workshop is intended for the aspiring cartoonist who wants a practical introduction to the ancient, versatile craft of inking with a dip pen and india ink. Attendees will receive practical, technical and anecdotal lessons from an acknowledged master of pen and ink. Limited to ten students.

Utzon Room / Sat 20 Aug / 4pm

PETER KUPER MASTERCLASS: OUTSIDE THE BOX

Utzon Room / Sun 21 Aug / 1pm

Free Event. A crack team of comic professionals will lead you in the art of creating comics - Pat Grant, Mandy Ord, Matt Huynh, Andrew Weldon and Leigh Rigozzi.

This workshop will explore a wide range of artistic influences and the vast possibilities of graphic storytelling. Through lecture, visual presentation and hands on drawing, students will be exposed to sequential art history and new approaches for creating their own comics. Be prepared to DRAW.

The Graphic animation competition is back in 2011!

Last year, the competition was an amazing success and in 2011 it will be bigger, better and broader. With $20,000 up for grabs, we want you to push those pixels and have your work screened alongside seminal artists such as Robert Crumb, Shaun Tan and many more as part of Graphic. The competition will be launched on 23 June.

Sign up to receive updates about the Graphic Festival and competition.

Competition Launching on 23 June.

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON BUT START THINKING 'ESCAPE'...

Western Foyers / 28 July - 21 Aug

Free Event. The Best of the Independent Games Festival (IGF) is a selection of the most innovative and exciting games from this year's Independent Games Festival. This will be held in the Western Foyers for a whole month in the lead up to Graphic.