NEWS
4/1/25
A new animated short film called The Intention Invention has finally wrapped up production through Catch and Hatch. It’s a dark comedy about how what we say is sometimes not what we think. The logline is:
An idealistic inventor develops a technology capable of detecting the true intentions of anyone it targets. But, the question is –Do we really want to know?
3/15/25 Festival Updates
The Pinto Variety Hour pilot has screened in the following festivals recently:
Barcelona Indie Awards – WINNER -BEST TV PILOT, 2/8/25, Barcelona, Spain.
All That Moves International Film Festival – WINNER – BEST TV PILOT, WINNER – BEST DIRECTOR FOR A TV PILOT, 3/15/25, São Paulo, Brazil.
McMinneville Short Film Festival – NOMINEE – BEST ANIMATED SHORT, 2/27 – 3/2/25, McMinneville, OR.
Hollywood Storytellers Film Festival – FINALIST – TV PILOT, TCL Chinese Theatres, Hollywood, CA.
Anatolia Film Festival, 2/7/25, Istanbul, Turkey
1/27/25 Pinto Variety hour clips
I have been uploading new clips of The Pinto Variety Hour pilot episode to the Catch and Hatch Youtube channel. The pilot in its entirety is still not available to watch online though since it is still touring the festival circuit. Subscribe to my Youtube channel to see new clips like these:
1/16/25 McMinnville Short Film Festival
I’m honored that The Pinto Variety Hour has been nominated for the Will Vinton Award for Best Animation in the McMinnville Short Film Festival. This festival was named one of MovieMakers Magazine’s Top 20 Great Film Festivals in Vacation Destinations. It will be taking place in McMinnville, Oregon, from February 27 – March 2, 2025 at McMinnville Cinema. Tickets and festival passes may be purchased through the festival website.
1/1/25 hello 2025
2024 was a year of learning for me. I was honored to have The Pinto Variety Hour selected for 22 international film festivals and win many awards in various categories including Best Animation, Best Screenplay -Animation, Best Animated Series, Best TV Pilot, Best TV Show, Best Web Series, and Special Jury Award -Animation. The pilot episode was also nominated for many other categories in 2024. I was honored to attend some of these festivals in person and participate in Q and A’s at the screenings. Some highlights were attending Dances With Films in New York City, Breaking TV Film Festival in London, Birmingham Film Festival in Birmingham, UK, and The Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation, and Technology in Portland, OR, where The Pinto Variety Hour had its World Premiere. The Pinto Variety Hour also screened at the Hollywood Theatre @ PDX Airport in the Fall 2024 Shorts Program which showed in Concourse C from September through December 2024. Thank you to all of the festivals judges, juries, attendees, fellow filmmakers, and my incredible talented team for making this year so incredible for Catch and Hatch.
12/27/24 Pinto – North Carolina Premiere
The Pinto Variety Hour has been selected to show in Asheboro, North Carolina at the Mightier Than The Sword Film Awards at Sunset Film Festival. The festival will take place 1/8-1/11 at the historic Sunset Theatre in Asheboro. There are Q&A panels scheduled, meet and greet sessions and an opening night reception, concert and networking event. The Pinto Variety Hour is screening on Saturday, 1/11.
RICHARD ELFMAN @richardelfman , the director of the cult classic, FORBIDDEN ZONE (and brother of Danny Elfman), will be a guest of honor. FORBIDDEN ZONE turns 45 in 2025 and the festival will be screening a special director’s cut version of the film. Richard’s most recent film, “Bloody Bridget” will also be shown on Saturday, January 11.
12/11/24 Istanbul – Pinto Variety Hour Wins Animation Short Film Special Jury Award
The Pinto Variety Hour won the Animation Short Film -Special Jury Award at its Turkish Premiere in Istanbul at the Halic Goldenhorn International Film Festival. The festival took place December 2 -11 and was presented by the Fotofilm Culture Art and Ansam Culture Association at IBB Beyoglu Cinema and Istanbul Ariel University.
11/15/24 Dances With Films: New York
I’m absolutely thrilled that Dances With Films: New York has selected The Pinto Variety Hour to screen in Pilot Series Block 2 on 12/6 at 12:45pm. The festival is happening 12/5-12/8 at Regal Union Square in Manhattan. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.
In 2024, the festival was named one of the world’s TOP 25 COOLEST FILM FESTIVALS by Movie Maker. Also, in 2023, USA TODAY readers recognized Dances With Films as a TOP 10 North American film festival.
11/12/24 Film Focus review
Film Focus Online reviewed The Pinto Variety Hour. The critic called it, “whimsical and fun. With episodes being under half an hour, this easy-to-watch adult animation is the comic relief we all need in our lives.” He also wrote, “I really enjoyed the animation in this series, the characters are well-crafted crafted, very zany and the voice-over acting is fantastic. There’s not just beans, we have rodents, lizards, sea creatures, and more as they’ve created a realistic, yet wacky world. How Pinto walks/runs is hilarious, and this type of over-the-top ridiculousness is what gives shows like this an edge.” Check it out.
11/10/24 interview with rj
Film Fugitives interviewed me about The Pinto Variety Hour. I was asked about the show’s conception, future, influences, animation style, working with voice actors, how I come up with ideas for the show, and what I hope audiences will take away from it.
https://fugitives.com/interview-the-pinto-variety-hour-r-j-sullivan-2024
10/24/24 november UPDATES
Check out this wonderful write-up for The Pinto Variety Hour by the Breaking TV Film Festival where it’s nominated for Best Animation. The festival is happening 11/2-11/3 in London at Curzon Bloomsbury. https://www.breakingtvfilmfestival.com/post/the-highly-anticipated-uk-premiere-of-the-pinto-variety-hour
Nomination updates:
Birmingham Film Festival, Birmingham, UK, Millennium Point, 11/8 – 11/17. Nominations: Best TV Show, Best Animation, and the Bull Award (Best Film in Festival),
Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA, 11/6. Nomination: Best Animated Series
Oregon Short Film Festival, Portland, OR, Clinton St. Theatre 11/10. Nomination: Best Comedy Series Episode
10/4/24 FESTIVAL UPDATES
In addition to screening at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland International Airport from now until January 2025. The Pinto Variety Hour pilot episode will be showing at the following festivals:
Breaking TV Film Festival, London, 11/1 – 11/3. Nominated for Best Animation
Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival, Los Angeles, 11/5 – 11/10
Oregon Short Film Festival, Portland, OR, Clinton St. Theatre 11/10
Birmingham Film Festival, Birmingham, UK, Millennium Point, 11/8 – 11/17. Nominated for Bull Award (Best Film in Festival)
Festival de Cine Antigua, Guatemala, 12/5. Nominated for Best 2D Animation
T.I.F.A – Tietê International Film Awards, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 12/10. Nominated for Best Screenplay – Animated Film
