The Cartoon Network is all set to sponsor the Platform International Animation Festival June 25-30 in Portland, OR; featuring premieres, retrospectives, exclusive screening, parties, workshops and guest speakers. It’s a big step forward in the worl of the animation genre, so let’s all support their efforts.

"This is an important period for animation because the rapid growth of technology changes the possibilities of our craft every day," said festival chief Irene Kotlarz, former director of animation festivals in Cambridge, Bristol and Cardiff in the UK. "We want animators to be able to find new answers and new opportunities with the best in the industry."

The international competition is accepting film entries that are under 40 minutes without an entry fee (to beef up participation), with categories covering everything from commercial and independent films to student animation and funky new platform films such as cell phone and the Internet. These organizers are definitely with the times…

There’s more than $50,000 award money up for grabs, so why not go ahead and submit something?!