This page contains links to articles, interviews, and videos that can be incorporated into your syllabus in preparation for an event or afterward for post-event discussion and research. Go to saic.edu/cate for detailed event information.
An Evening with Tomek Popakul
Thursday, September 19, 6:00 p.m. CT
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.
Please note that All CATE events will have real-time captioning (CART). Hearing loops, wheelchair seating, and companion seating are also available at the Gene Siskel Film Center. For other accessibility requests, please visit saic.edu/access or write cate@saic.edu
Over the past decade, acclaimed Polish animator and musician Tomek Popakul has established himself as one of the most original voices in contemporary animation. His mesmerizing films, influenced by Japanese woodcuts, Russian fairy tales, 60s psychedelia, and his own village upbringing, explore the lives of marginalized characters as they navigate family, sex, drugs, and freedom in rural communities and decaying industrial towns. Popakul presents three of his award-winning films—Ziegenort (2013), Acid Rain (2019), and Zima (2023)—and delves into the ideas and inspirations behind his innovative practice.
Tomek Popakul is an animator, musician, graphic designer, and music video director. His acclaimed films have garnered international recognition, screening at prestigious festivals such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Sundance Film Festival, and the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Notably, his 2019 film Acid Rain earned an Annie Award nomination, and both Acid Rain and his 2023 film Zima were longlisted for the Academy Awards. In 2020, Popakul was invited by HBO to contribute to the streaming platform’s pandemic anthology AT HOME. As a musician, he performs under the alias ASTMA and is the founder of the label Wysokie Pokrzywy. He holds degrees in animation and special effects from the Lodz Film School in Poland.
Working In A Garden of Ideas: An Interview with Tomek Popakul on 'Zima' [Interview]
Vassilis Kroustallis | Zippy Frames| December 8, 2023
The Rave Culture Animated: Tomek Popakul on ‘Acid Rain’ [Interview]
Ramin Zahed | Animation Magazine | September 20, 2019
Tomek Popakul's Acid Rain [Article]
Laura Snoad | It’s Nice That | April 25, 2019
Director Tomek Popakul Embraced Imperfect Mo-Cap System To Craft Psychedelic Animated Short, ‘Acid Rain’ [Article]
Matt Grobar | Deadline | December 30, 2019
A Christmas From Hell: On Zima [Article]
Ebba Yttermyr | Talking Shorts | July 10, 2024
Conversations at the Edge Lecture Recordings
Conversation at the Edge video recordings (2016–present.) Available with SAIC login credentials.