Mike Bennett, the imaginative mastermind behind Dinolandia and Wonderwood Springs, stands out among Portland artists in his ability to spread delight. Currently, Bennett is working on an exciting venture, creating awards for the upcoming Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology.

Co-founder and co-director of PFCAT, Peter Isaac Alexander, expressed their admiration for Mike Bennett’s work, making him an obvious choice when deciding on an artist to craft the festival’s awards.

As an official sponsor of the event, Mike Bennett Studios adds to the festivity, which will be held at OMSI from August 3rd to 6th. Attendees can look forward to a diverse array of 119 films, including 110 world or regional premieres and 68 animated projects from 22 countries. The event will also feature panel discussions and parties, ensuring an immersive experience for all participants.

The awards themselves will encompass 28 categories, such as “Outstanding Sci-Fi World Building” and “Best Use of Unreal Engine,” a remarkable 3D creation tool famously utilized by filmmaker Lana Wachowski in The Matrix Resurrections’ captivating fight scene.

In a nod to Bennett’s exuberant creativity, the awards will feature a design that will undoubtedly delight his fans: a stag donning a metallic gold spacesuit. This design cleverly fuses the festival’s emphasis on animation and technology with a distinctive Portland flair, perfectly capturing the festival’s forward-thinking and enjoyable spirit.