Learn Self Defense is right in the thick of the festival tour, and has already screened in 35 cities with many more scheduled for the rest of the year.

The film has also taken home several awards in recent weeks:

Oxford Film Festival
Spirit of the Hoka Award for Best Animation

Irish Animation Festival, Féile Beochan
Special Mention, International Category

1st Sundays Comedy Film Festival
Judges’ Choice Award

Tallgrass Film Festival
Audience Award for Best Short

Arizona International Film Festival
Selected for Best of AIFF Show

Check the homepage for a complete list of upcoming screenings.

Busustow Media Group is working on a documentary about the mid-century work of the influencial studio, UPA. 

They had a huge impact on many animators, whether they realize it it or not. Obviously, Make Mine Shoebox and Learn Self Defense owe a lot to them. Hopefully some old UPA gems will resurface and be made available to the public once again as a result of this project.

Chris Harding will be interviewed for the documentary, although who knows if that material will make the final cut? Check out their website for more information and updates on the progress of the film.

fps is a very thoughtful and well designed magazine. This was true even before the editors and staff decided to feature Learn Self Defense on the cover of the September issue. It's even more true now.

Exerpt:
…Dressing contemporary political commentary in satire, Harding brilliantly sets the story of George deciding that he must learn to protect himself after being brutally attacked in an alley… …the intent of this film is not dissimilar to John Hubley’s in his 1946 Brotherhood of Man. Thankfully, Chris Harding will not find himself at the behest of McCarthy’s Committee on Un-American Affairs as did Hubley for making art…

- Janeann Dill, fps magazine #4
September 2005

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE