SCADFILM and SCAD Unveil the Fourth Annual SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste in France

The charming village of Lacoste, France, is once again poised to transform into a center of creativity and innovation as SCADFILM and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) celebrate the fourth annual SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste. Scheduled for April 4–5, 2025, this eagerly awaited occasion unites students, faculty, and industry professionals for a two-day tribute to the art and science of animation.

Held at SCAD’s historic Maison Basse campus, with screenings at the Theatre du SCAD, the festival promises an immersive experience for attendees. From student showcases and master classes to exclusive film viewings and Q&A sessions with animation experts, SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste offers an exceptional opportunity for budding animators to interact directly with the industry’s top talents.

A Worldwide Celebration of Animation

SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste acts as the European counterpart to the annual SCAD AnimationFest hosted in Atlanta, Georgia. This Lacoste edition draws on the vibrant French animation culture, which has achieved global recognition through studios like Fortiche Production (Arcane), Mikros Animation (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), and Illumination Studios Paris (Despicable Me 4, The Super Mario Bros. Movie).

“With the animation sector flourishing in France, SCAD Lacoste is an ideal venue to connect our students with leading creators in the field,” stated Cédric Maros, executive director of SCAD Lacoste. “Animation ranks among SCAD’s premier degree offerings, and this next wave of industry talent is eager to showcase top-tier storytelling.”

Festival Highlights

The 2025 edition of SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste boasts an engaging schedule filled with screenings, presentations, and networking chances.

Friday, April 4

4:30 p.m. – SCAD Student Animation Showcase
The festival begins with a display of SCAD’s most accomplished student animators. Showcasing over 20 short films, including Skater Girl, Kitty, Dahlia, and Time Flies, the showcase celebrates the creativity and technical expertise of SCAD students and recent graduates.

8:00 p.m. – Screening: Flow
The evening proceeds with a special screening of Flow, the Academy Award-winning animated feature by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zibalodis. This film, which garnered Latvia its first Oscar and Golden Globe, will be followed by a Q&A with Luigi Loy, distribution manager at Sacrebleu Productions.

Saturday, April 5

2:30 p.m. – Best of Annecy 2024
A curated selection of distinguished short films from the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival will be showcased. Titles include Afterparty, Carrotica, Beautiful Men, and Hurikán, presenting a wide array of animation styles and storytelling methods from around the globe.

4:30 p.m. – Presentation: The Wonderful World of Concept Design with Alfred Lee
SCAD alum and Disney Imagineer Alfred Lee (B.F.A., illustration, 2014) will provide an insider’s perspective into concept design. With over a decade of experience, including contributions to Hong Kong Disneyland’s World of Frozen and ongoing projects at Disneyland Paris, Lee will share insights into the creative process behind some of Disney’s most captivating environments.

8:00 p.m. – Screening: Despicable Me 4
The festival wraps up with a screening of Illumination’s Despicable Me 4, followed by a Q&A with Boris Jacq, CG supervisor at Illumination Mac Guff. Attendees will receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the latest installment of the cherished franchise.

A Launchpad for Future Creators

SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste is more than merely a celebration of animation—it serves as a platform for education, inspiration, and career advancement. Students gain direct access to industry leaders, portfolio critiques, and practical insights that can influence their professional journeys.

As France’s animation industry continues to flourish and SCAD maintains its commitment to excellence in arts education, the festival is positioned to remain a pivotal event on the global animation calendar.

Tickets for SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste 2025 are now available via the official SCAD website.

For further details and to buy tickets, visit: https://www.scad.edu/event/2025-04-04-scad-animationfest-lacoste-2025

Whether you’re an animation aficionado, a student, or a seasoned expert, SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to witness the future of animation in one of the most inspiring locales on the planet.

From Modest Beginnings to a Thriving Bazaar: Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Introduces a Fresh Chapter for Farming Sims

The cherished farming simulation series Story of Seasons, which originates from the esteemed Harvest Moon franchise, is gearing up for a grand comeback with its newest edition: Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. Crafted by Marvelous, this fresh installment aims to inject new energy into the genre with inventive features, broadened gameplay mechanics, and a lively new locale that encourages both veterans and new players to roll up their sleeves and dive into farming.

A Fresh Start in Zephyr Town

In Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, players take on the role of a new inhabitant in Zephyr Town—a once-vibrant settlement renowned for its exquisite bazaar. Unfortunately, the town has seen better days, and it’s your responsibility to help revive its lost charm. Through agriculture, crafting, and engaging with the community, players will strive to rejuvenate the bazaar and restore prosperity to the town.

The fundamental gameplay loop centers around growing crops, nurturing animals, and crafting goods that can be sold at your own personalized stall in the Grand Bazaar. But this is not merely a basic market stand—players can enhance their stall, adorn it to attract a larger clientele, and even ring a bell to draw in crowds. This “sub-game” mechanism adds an extra layer of strategy and creativity to the classic farming simulation model.

A Lush and Wide-ranging World

Zephyr Town serves as more than just a setting—it’s a dynamic and vibrant world brimming with opportunities for adventure and interaction. The game provides a substantial property for players to cultivate, featuring spaces to collect resources, construct buildings, and expand their agricultural endeavors. The town square acts as a center for social interaction, where players can visit shops, undertake quests, and develop bonds with a varied array of characters.

A remarkable aspect of Grand Bazaar is the presence of windmills scattered throughout the town. These elements are not merely for aesthetics—they are essential in processing and improving your merchandise. The game’s adaptive weather system is intertwined with this feature, as strong winds enhance the productivity of windmills and allow players to traverse the map using a glider. Nonetheless, the weather can also pose challenges, such as storms that could jeopardize your crops unless you’ve implemented safeguards like windscreens.

Extensive Customization and Advancement

Consistent with earlier installments in the series, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar features extensive customization options for your farm and tools. The quality of your crops and animal products relies on the care you offer, and upgrading your tools will streamline your agricultural efforts. The game encourages players to explore various farming methods, seed qualities, and processing techniques to optimize their yields and earnings.

Connections and Narrative

Social interactions play a crucial role in Grand Bazaar. Players can cultivate friendships and even romantic connections with the townsfolk, including prominent figures like the Mayor’s daughter. These relationships transcend mere distractions—they impact the narrative and can unlock new quests, events, and opportunities in the game.

Enhancing the immersive experience is the debut of voice acting, a first for the franchise. This feature animates the characters in fresh and captivating ways, increasing the emotional richness of the narrative and making interactions feel more impactful. Accompanied by improved graphics, the game delivers a visually stunning and emotionally engaging experience.

Play at Your Own Pace

One of the most enticing features of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is its adaptable gameplay. Whether you prefer to take it easy—farming at your leisure while soaking in the atmosphere—or immerse yourself in the excitement of managing a bustling bazaar, the game accommodates a varied range of playstyles. This flexibility ensures that it’s accessible to casual gamers while still providing depth and intricacy for those looking for a more complex simulation journey.

Launch Date and Platforms

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is scheduled to debut on August 27, 2024, for PC and Nintendo Switch. With its captivating new features, delightful setting, and refined gameplay mechanics, it’s set to emerge as a prominent title in the simulation genre.

Final Reflections

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar signifies an ambitious leap forward for the series, merging the nostalgic appeal of its Harvest Moon lineage with contemporary innovations that enhance the farming sim experience. Whether you’re a devoted fan or a curious newcomer, this game promises a rich, fulfilling adventure that’s as charming as it is engaging.

Prepare to plant your roots in Zephyr Town—your stall at the Grand Bazaar is ready for you.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – A Revitalized Version of a Cherished Farming Classic

The cherished farming simulation series Story of Seasons returns with a brand-new installment, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. Set in the delightful Zephyr Town, the game encourages players to establish a new life on a farm while aiding the locals in rejuvenating their once-vibrant bazaar. With a mix of nostalgic gameplay elements and fresh features, Grand Bazaar provides an invigorating yet familiar experience for both seasoned fans and newcomers.

A New Beginning in Zephyr Town

At the core of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is the player’s mission to revive Zephyr Town’s renowned marketplace. Once a lively center of trade and community, the bazaar has experienced a downturn. It’s up to the player to inject new vitality into the town by cultivating a prosperous farm, raising livestock, and selling products at the weekly market.

The game’s environment significantly contributes to its allure. Director and franchise manager Hikaru Nakano highlighted the significance of the setting and the immersive bond players can develop with their animals. “We invested considerable effort into the actions that the animals perform, as well as their animations and reactions,” Nakano conveyed. “We aim for players to feel a deeper connection with their animals.”

Improved Animal Interactions

A standout feature in Grand Bazaar is the improved interaction with farm animals. Players can now witness their cows, chickens, and other animals frolicking in the pasture, engaging with each other, and responding to the player’s nurturing. These enhancements go beyond mere appearances—they strengthen the emotional ties between players and their livestock.

Nakano mentioned that players who dedicate time and care to their animals will reap tangible benefits. “The more you nurture your cows, the better quality milk you can obtain from them,” he noted. This theme of rewarding dedication extends to crops and other farm elements, reinforcing the game’s central idea: commitment yields results.

A Cast of Distinct Characters

Grand Bazaar boasts a varied ensemble of townsfolk, each with unique personalities, backgrounds, and evolving dialogue. Nakano explained that the development team took great care to ensure every character feels distinctive. “Dialogue evolves with the seasons and events,” he stated. “Characters will respond differently depending on what’s transpiring in the game.”

This meticulous attention to detail allows players to feel immersed in the atmosphere of Zephyr Town. Whether celebrating at a festival or engaging in casual chats, the townspeople’s reactions help animate the community.

Voice Acting and Localization

In a first for the series, Grand Bazaar incorporates voice acting for its characters. This enhancement adds another dimension of personality and emotion to the game. Nakano detailed that the original voice actors are chosen by the Japanese development team, who then collaborate with Marvelous USA and European teams to find suitable voices for other languages.

The outcome is a cast that feels genuine across various regions. Characters like Felix, with his authoritative yet amiable vocal style, create a lasting impact and enrich the narrative experience.

Finding the Right Balance of Calm and Activity

One of the game’s most captivating elements is its equilibrium between the tranquil pace of farm life and the spirited activity of the bazaar. Players can select how they wish to spend their time—whether tending to crops and animals leisurely or plunging into the lively atmosphere of selling goods at the market.

Nakano stressed that this freedom to choose is fundamental to the game’s concept. “We don’t want to dictate how players should live their farm life,” he remarked. “They have the option to be busy or simply unwind in nature. There’s no punishment for that.”

The bazaar adds a more dynamic gameplay component, requiring players to engage swiftly with customers and manage their stalls. However, even in this aspect, the game remains forgiving and user-friendly. If players fail to sell everything in one week, they can attempt again the following week.

Romance, Music, and Storytelling

Romance remains integral to the Story of Seasons experience. In Grand Bazaar, players can cultivate relationships with eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, unlocking unique cutscenes and story arcs. These interactions are enhanced by a thoughtfully composed soundtrack that adapts in tone to the moment—whether it’s a serene instant on the farm, a bustling day at the bazaar, or a touching romantic exchange.

Nakano mentioned that the development team now possesses the tools to craft a significantly richer audio experience compared to earlier games. “We’ve greatly expanded the number of tracks in the soundtrack, along with the sound effects,” he said. “We utilize every tool at our disposal to create a rich experience and compelling storytelling.”

Seasonal Changes and Weather Dynamics

As the title suggests, seasons play a crucial role in Grand Bazaar. The game features a range of weather conditions—sunny, cloudy, rainy, and stormy—that meaningfully influence gameplay. For instance, sunny days encourage crop growth but necessitate more manual watering, while rainy days save…