Pixar comes to Syracuse: weekend of activities with Pixar post-production supervisor Cynthia Slavens

The Syracuse International Film Festival continues its spring 2010 programming this weekend with the popular annual event “Pixar: New Technologies in Animation.”

For the past six years, Jim Morris, Syracuse University alumnus and Pixar head of production, has sent an ambassador from his team to give Syracuse residents a behind the scenes look at the newest in animation innovation. 

Cynthia Slavens, Pixar’s post-production supervisor, will be in Syracuse on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, May 1, to meet SU students and faculty and talk about the magic of films such as “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Up.”

In addition, she will present a program for Syracuse City School District students on Friday, April 29, at the Museum of Science and Technology’s IMAX theater. The program is provided by a grant secured by Assemblyman William Magnarelli, who has supported this Pixar event project since its inception.

Slavens will present a second program open to the public on Saturday, May 1, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Palace Theatre, 2384 James St., Syracuse. The event is free to those under 17 and $5 for all others.

Slavens is especially pleased to return to Syracuse. “I was born at Crouse Irving Hospital in Syracuse and lived in Fayetteville for a few years before my family moved to Manlius,” she says. “My parents still live in that house.”

For more information, contact the SYRFILMFEST office at (315) 443-8826.