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The Zit: News, Press, Awards

Quick Updates

Animation Coop Interview With Mike Blum
August 01, 2007
The Animation Coop has an interview with director Mike Blum featured this month.
It’s Art Magazine profile on Mike Blum.
June 08, 2007
The French Magazine, It’s Art, just published a 20 page profile on director, Mike Blum. You can download a free copy of the magazine from their website.
The Zit now streaming on-line at Atom Films.
April 02, 2007
Check it out here.
The Zit wins 2 awards at the International Festival of Cinema and Technology!
January 10, 2007
The Zit wins best children’s animation award at the Lisbon International Independent Film Festival
April 30, 2006
Mike Blum was on hand to receive the beautiful trophy and give thanks to the crowd of 700. The Zit beat out almost 30 films to win the best of the fest in the children’s category. The festival was incredibly well run and the hosts were most gracious. The film festival attracted almost 30,000 attendees in just its 3rd year!
“A Day In The Life” Feature!
February 20, 2006
Check out the nice feature Animation Magazine is doing on me in the March issue!

Press

Animation Coop Interview With Mike Blum
August 01, 2007
An August 2007 profile of director Mike Blum by the Animation Coop
It’s Art Magazine profile on Mike Blum.
June 08, 2007
Download a free copy of the magazine from their website.
Atom Films Interview
May 11, 2007
Check out the nice write-up on Atom Films
Big Picture Radio review
January 26, 2007
…the wonderful adolescent comedy, The Zit
Video Pick of the Week from The School Library Journal
May 15, 2006
This award-winning short film will amuse and captivate viewers of all ages.
Great review from the Video Librarian Magazine
May 01, 2006
“…the cinematic denouement–involving some creative thinking on the part of the lad and a willing cat–is admirably over-the-top gross (if you’re a pre-teen, read: cool), and our hero learns a time-honored lesson: i.e., don’t sweat the small stuff, whether it’s a pimple or a cowlick.”
Moviehole review
April 10, 2006
The attention to detail and comedic timing is reminiscent of some of the best computer-animated films of the past few years.
Lansing State Journal Feature
March 23, 2006
Check out this nice write-up on me in the Lansing State Journal.
East Lansing Film Fest Review
March 23, 2006
…funny and well-crafted…
Rowan James SXSW Review
March 09, 2006
Excellent music, fine animation, a cool cat. Big thumbs up for me.
The Paisano Review
February 13, 2006
… The Zit can easily be compared to Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles or Finding Nemo.
Daily Texan Review
January 26, 2006
This year’s three-dimensional standouts include the decidedly gross The Zit and Pinata, which feature amazingly vivid colors and are, by far, the most visually pleasing shorts of the festival.
Salt Lake Tribune
January 19, 2006
Check out this nice feature on Slamdance shorts with Utah connections in the SLC Tribune.
Real Detroit Weekly
December 21, 2005
The finished effort is gorgeous to look at and sick enough to make the cut at Spike & Mike.
Georgia Straight, Vancouver, BC
November 15, 2005
The Zit… does for pus what The Perfect Storm did for water.
Animation World News review
August 22, 2005
“…frenetic and the ideas inspiring, driving the viewer’s interest right through to the finale.”
Computer Graphics World Review
August 08, 2005
“My personal favorite was Mike Blum’s The Zit which showed in the screening rooms and was wonderfully cute and perfectly gross all at the same time.”
Cartoon Mogul Review
August 01, 2005
“…great looking film and enjoyable to watch.”
Film Threat review from Jacksonville Film Festival
May 19, 2005
The Zit is a humorous tale…” — Michael Ferraro (for Film Threat)
Musings review
April 12, 2005
“…gross but hilarious” — Alyce Wilson (Musings: An online journal of sorts)
“The Zit” is an over-the-top, hilarious film – I wish I’d done it.
February 18, 2005
– Bill Plympton (Oscar Nominated animator/director)

Awards

Best Comedic Animation
Honorable Mention: Best Animation
International Festival of Cinema and Technology
January 10, 2007
Click here for more information
Finalist, Audience Award Best Short Film: Indianapolis International Film Festival
May 04, 2006
Winner: Indie Junior Award: Lisbon International Independent Film Festival
April 30, 2006
The Zit beat out over 25 live action and animated films to win the best children’s film at the festival.
2nd Place, Audience Award for Best Short Film: East Lansing Film Festival
March 26, 2006
The Zit took 2nd Place in the audience poll for short films competing against more than 40 other short films: animation, live action and docs!
Finalist, Best Animated Film: Alice’s 3 Minute Film Festival
March 25, 2006
Audience Award, Best Animated Film: Delray Beach Film Festival
March 12, 2006
Winner: Cloud 9 Short Film Festival (January 2006)
February 06, 2006
Winner of the January edition on the Cloud 9 Short Film Festival.
4th Quarter Finalist: Golden Shorts Film Festival
January 30, 2006
2006 Best Video/DVD: YALSA (Young Adult Library Association)
January 24, 2006
The Zit was chosen as best DVD for young adults ages 12-18 by YALSA.
Finalist, Best Children’s Animation: Bradford Animation Festival
October 01, 2005
Audience Award, Best Animation: Orinda Film Festival
September 25, 2005
Best Animation Award: Great Lakes Film Festival
September 25, 2005
Audience Award: Filmstock International Film Festival
June 05, 2005
Winning gives The Zit automatic entry into Filmstock Hungry 2006.
1st Place: FirstGlance Philadelphia Film Festival
May 15, 2005
1st Place: Best Shorts Too
Best Short: Cleveland Film Festival
March 20, 2005
The Zit was chosen as one of the best pre-feature shorts at the 29th Cleveland Film Festival.

Distribution

Italian DVD rights
June 01, 2010
Exclusive DVD rights for all Italian territories went to the Future Film Festival.
Internet distribution with Atom Films
April 01, 2007
We have a non-exclusive deal with Atom Films signed.
US TV: exclusive on PBS (for ITVS)
December 26, 2006
This is an 18 month exclusive deal. Cable rights are available after this time.
Itialian TV: exclusive free television rights for RTI
May 01, 2006
This is a 2 year distribution deal.
Swedish TV: exclusive free television rights for SVT
May 01, 2006
This is a 3 year distribution deal.
Frontier Airlines for 1 month only!
January 01, 2006
The Zit will be seen by tens of thousands who fly Fontier Airlines during January 2006.
Theatrical distribution deal with Spike & Mike
December 15, 2005
The Zit screened for 2 years as part of the Spike & Mikes Sick and Twisted touring animation festival.