Ru Kuwahata (Japan) and Max Porter (USA) are Oscar-nominated animation filmmakers living in Providence RI, USA. They have been collaborating since 2007 as Tiny Inventions. With their distinctive mixed-media animation style, they have directed and produced a wide range of projects, including TV commercials, music videos, PSAs, comics, interactive games, and four independent films. Their work has been showcased in over 1000 festivals worldwide, including Sundance Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand, and Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Their recent short film, Negative Space (2017), received an Oscar nomination at the 90th Academy Awards and has won 135 awards. Currently, they are in the process of developing their first full-length animated feature, Porcelain Birds, with Miyu Productions in France.
………. CONTACT US ……….
Max Porter: max.tinyinventions@gmail.com
Ru Kuwahata: rukuwahata@gmail.com
………. REPRESENTATION ……….
U.S Commercial …… Noble Animation // Mark Medernach phone: 310.478.0771
UK Commercial ……1st Ave Machine UK // Kerry Smart phone: +44 (0)20.3206.6450
Fiction Agent ……CAA // Christina Chou
……… FILM SCREENING ………
For NEGATIVE SPACE, please contact MIYU Distribution // Luce Grosjean
For rest of the films, please contact Ru Kuwahata
………. CONNECT WITH US ……….
Instagram
Vimeo
………. RESIDENCY / FELLOWSHIP ……….
MacDowell, US (Nov 2023)
Ciclic, France (Dece 2022 ~ Feb 2023)
Open Workshop / IP Residency at The Animation Workshop (July~August, 2019)
Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, France (April 2019)
Sundance Screenwriting Lab, US (Jan, 2019)
Torino Script Lab, Italy / France / Greece ( March ~ Nov 2018)
Ciclic, France (June 2016 ~ January 2017)
The Animation Workshop, SEA Concept Development Master Class, Denmark (Feb 2014 for 2 weeks)
Netherlands Institute for Animated Film, Netherlands (June 2011- Dec 2012)
………. GRANTS ……….
MIFA pitch at Annecy, Ciclic Fund (2022)
West Danish Film Fund, Denmark (2019)
Rooftop Film Festival Feature Film Grant, USA (2019)
Professional Development Grant from Rhode Island School of Design (2019)
New Faculty Grant from Rhode Island School of Design (2018)
CNC, France (2016)
Mairie de Paris, France (2016)
CICLIC Film Fund, France (2016)
Arte, France (2016)
Marcella Brenner Grant from Maryland Institute College of Art (2013, 2014, 2015)
Sondheim Prize 2014 semi-finalist (2014, 2015)
Lucas Grant from Maryland Institute College of Art (2013, 2014, 2015)
The Puffin Foundation Ltd. Filmmaker Grant (2010, 2015)
The Netherlands Institute for Animation Film, Tilburg Netherlands (2011-2012)
………. AWARDS ……….
Nomination for Best Animated Short Film: 90th Academy Awards, US (‘18)
Pre selection: Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma – César, France(‘18)
Nomination for Best Animated Short Subject: Annie Awards, US (‘18)
Producer’s Circle Award from Rhode Island Film Festival, US (’19)
Grand Prix: International Festival of Documentary and Short Film of Bilbao ZINEBI, Spain (’17)
Grand Prix: Anima Mundi, Brazil (’17)
Prix Emile-Reynaud : Association française du cinéma d’animation (‘17)
Grand Prix: Krok Animation Festival, Ukraine (’17)
Grand Prix: Taichung Int Animation Festival, Taiwan (’17)
Grand Prix: Thessaloniki Animation Festival, Greece (’17)
Grand Prix: ReAnimania – International Animation Film & Comics Art Festival of Yerevan, Armenia(‘17)
Grand Prix: Monstra, Portugal (‘18)
Grand Prix: Multivision Festival, Russia (’17)
Grand Prix: Xiamen International Animation Festival, China (‘17)
Grand Prix: Indie Júnior Allianz Festival, Portugal (‘18)
Grand Prix: Tokyo Anime Award Festival, Japan (‘18)
Grand Prix: Cyprus Animation Festival, Cyprus (‘18)
Grand Prix (Short Film): Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, US (‘18)
Grand Prix (Short FIlm): International Film Festival of Uruguay, Uruguay (’18)
Grand Prix (Short FIlm): Stopmotion Our Fest, Argentina (‘18)
Grand Prix (Short): Chilemonos, Chile (‘18)
Grand Prix (Prix Bernard Jubard):Ciné-Rencontres de Prades, France (‘18)
Grand Prix: Animation NOW!, New Zealand (‘18)
Grand Prix: AnimaSyros, Greece (‘18)
Best international short film: 3D Wire, Spain (’17)
Best International Short Film: Kuandu International Animation Festival, Taiwan (’17)
Best International Short film: Festival international du Film de Nancy, France (‘18)
Best Animated Short: KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival, the Netherlands (’17)
Best Animated Short: DC Independent Film Festival, US (‘18)
Best Animated Short: Arizona Film Festival, US (‘18)
Best Animated Short: Richmond International Film Festival, US (‘18)
Best Animated Short: Walla Walla Movie Crush, US (‘18)
Best Animated Short: Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, USA (‘17)
Best Animated Short: Lahore International Children’s Film Festival
Best Animated Short: Provincetown International Film Festival, US (‘18)
Best Animated Short: International Children’s Film Festival of Jaipur, India (‘18)
Best Animation Short: Festival Inventa un Film Lenola Film Festival, Italy (‘18)
Best Animation Short: International Kids Film Festival, India (‘18)
Best Animation: Tampere Film Festival, Finland (‘18)
Best Animation: Festival du Film Court en Armagnac, France (’17)
Best Animation: Festival du Film de Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, France (’17)
Best Animation: Festival du Film Court de Villeurbanne, France (‘17)
Best Animation: Et Cultura, US (‘17)
Best Animation: Catacumba Film Festival, Spain (‘17)
Best Animation: New Hampshire Film Festival, US (’17)
Best Animation: Corti Da Sogni International Short Film Festival, Italy (‘18)
Best Animation: Rincon International Film Festival, Puerto Rico (‘18)
Best Animation: International Short Film Festival Radio City, Spain (‘18)
Best Animation: Figari Film Fest, Italy (‘18)
Best Animation: DC Shorts Film Festival, US (‘18)
Best Animation: Betina Film Festival, Croatia (‘18)
Best Animation (Golden River): River Film Festival, Italy (‘18)
Best Animation: Sapporo Int Short Film Festival, Japan (‘18)
Best Animation: Way Down Film Festival, US (‘18)
Best Animation: UK Film Festival, UK (‘18)
Best Animation Jury Award: Stop Motion Barcelona Short Film Festival, Spain (’17)
Best Professional film : Festival Stop Motion Montreal, Canada (‘18)
Best Animation Award by Professional Jury: The Budapest Short International Film Festival, Hungary (’17)
Best Animation Award by Student Jury: The Budapest Short International Film Festival, Hungary (’17)
Best Animation Award by Student Jury: Festival Européen du Court Métrage de Bordeaux, France (‘18)
Best Stop Motion Award: SPARK ANIMATION, Canada (’17)
Best Stop Motion Animated Film: Animotion Film Festival, Italy (‘18)
Best International Short Film: Dublin Animation Film Festival, Ireland (‘17)
Best International Animation Film: Festival of Animation Berlin, Germany (‘18)
Best International Animation: Rural Film Fest– El Edén de La Mancha, Spain (‘18)
Best sound track/ use of foley: Dublin Animation Film Festival, Ireland (‘17)
Best Animation Technique : Anima Mundi, Brazil (’17)
Best Picture: Literally Short Film Festival, US (‘18)
1st place / Animation: USA Film Festival, US (‘18)
1st place of Independent Films category: ASIFA-East, US (‘18)
1st Prize (short animation): Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, US (‘18)
WINNER Children’s Choice – 7 & Up Saturday: Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival, US (‘18)
Winner: Doc SunBack, US (‘18)
BEST FILM made FOR TIER 13-18 yo: Adelaide International Youth Film Festival, Australia (‘18)
Audience Award: Fantoche, Switzerland (’17)
Audience Award: Turku Animated Film Festival, Finland (’17)
Audience Award: New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival, Japan (’17)
Audience Award: Austin Film Festival, USA (‘17)
Audience Award: VOID, Denmark (‘18)
Audience Award: Monstra, Portugal (‘18)
Audience Award: Rincon International Film Festival, Puerto Rico (‘18)
Audience Award: Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, Germany (‘18)
Audience Award: Tabor Film Festival, Croatia (‘18)
Audience Award (Best Competing Short): Art Film Fest Kosice, Slovakia (‘18)
Audience Award: DC Shorts Film Festival, US (‘18)
Audience Award: Festival Chacun son Court, France (‘18)
Audience Award: New Orleans Film Festival, US (‘18)
2nd Prix Audience Award: Ciné Court Animé Roanne, France (‘18)
Prix Fipresci : Annecy Animation Festival, France (’17)
André-Martin Special Distinction for a French Short Film: Annecy Animation Festival, France (’17)
Prix Movistar+ : UniFrance, France (’17)
Prix Ur Sveriges : UniFrance, France (’17)
Excellence Award: Japan Media Arts Festival, Japan (‘18)
le Prix des Cinglés du Cinéma: Trois Jours Trop Courts, France (‘18)
Best Script Award: Animakom Festival, Spain (‘18)
Best Direction: Animage, Brazil (‘18)
Best Editing: The Jefferson State Flixx Fest, US (‘18)
Prix de scénario (Script Award): Le Court Nous Tient, France (‘18)
Judge & Audience Award (Competition 2): London International Animation Festival, UK (‘17)
Jury Award (International Competition 2): Melbourne International Animation Festival, Australia (‘18)
Audience Award (International Competition 2): Melbourne International Animation Festival, Australia (‘18)
The Special prize: Insomnia Film Festival, Russia (’17)
Special Jury Distinction: Animanima, Serbia (’17)
Jury special prize: Indie-AniFest, South Korea (’17)
Special Jury award for best storytelling: Linoleum Animation Festival, Ukraine (’17)
Special Jury Award: New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival, Japan (’17)
Special Jury Award by Student Judges: Int Film Festival Etiuda&Anima, Poland (’17)
Special Mention: Encounters Film Festival, UK (’17)
Special Mention: Pixelatl, Mexico (’17)
Special Mention: Animatou, Switzerland (’17)
Special Mention: Anima Cordoba Int Animation Festival, Argentina (’17)
Special Mention: CRAFT International Animation Festival, Indonesia (‘17)
Special Mention: CutOut Festival, Mexico (’17)
Special Mention: Cinema Forum, Poland (’17)
Special Mention: Interfilm Berlin, Germany (‘17)
Special Mention: Taos Shortz Film Fest, US (‘18)
Special Mention: Akbank Short Film Festival, Turkey (‘18)
Special Mention: International Animation Film Festival Tindirinidis, Lithuania (‘17)
Special Mention: O!PLA Animation Festival, Poland (‘18)
Special Mention: Animafest Zagreb, Croatia (‘18)
Special Mention: Festival du Film de Fontenay-le-Comte, France (‘18)
Honorable Mention: Split Film Festival, Croatia (’17)
Honorable Mention: Fargo Film Festival, US (‘18)
Women In Animation Special Mention-Independent: ASIFA-East, US (‘18)
Outstanding Selection: Kaohsiung Film Festival International Short Film Competition, Taiwan (’17)
2nd Prize in Animation: Mecal, Barcelona International Short and Animation Film Festival, Spain (‘18)
Silver in Short Animation: AEAF Awards, Australia (‘18)
3nd Prize: Animator, Poland (‘18)
Excellence in Design merit award: ASIFA-East, US (‘18)
Here Kitty Kitty Prize: Rabbit Heart Poetry Film Festival, USA (‘18)
Best in Show: Animation Block Party, US (’16)
Special Mention from youth jury: Anima Brussels, Belgium (’16)
Special Jury Mention Awards: Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival, US (2016)
Animation Film Finalist: Moondance Film Festival, US (’16)
Award for the best creative: Beijing Film Academy, 15th Animation Academy Awards, China (’15)
Best Work & Excellent Award: AsiaGraph CG Art Gallery, Japan (’15)
Nomination Award for the best design: Beijing Film Academy, 15th Animation Academy Awards, China (’15)
Nominated for Best Animation: Queens World Film Festival, USA (’16)
Jury Selection: Japan Media Arts Festival, Japan (’15)
Best Animation Award Boston International Film Festival, USA (’15)
2nd prize:Athens International Film and Video Festival, USA (’15)
Local Jury Award: USA Film Festival, USA (’15)
1st place, Independent Film Category: ASIFA-East, USA (’15)
Animation Film Finalist: Moondance Film Festival, US (’15)
Grand Prix: AsiaGraph CG Art Gallery, Japan (’15)
Best Animated Short: Austin Film Festival, USA (’14)
#1 Mention Expotoons, Argentina (’14)
AACA Special Award Expotoons, Argentina (’14)
Honorable Mention CG Anime Contest, Japan (’14)
Best Animated Film: Queens World Film Festival, USA (’12)
Best Animated Short: RiverRun International Film Festival, USA (’12)
Grand Jury Prize for Best Animated Short: Nashville Film Festival, USA (’11)
Best American Spectrum-short film: Indianapolis Int Film Festival, USA (’11)
Best short animation: Cortolovere Film Festival, Italy (’11)
Best animated short film: Palo Alto International Film Festival, USA (’11)
Best of the fest: Freeky Creek Short Film Festival, USA (’11)
Best Animation: Anchorage Int Film Festival, USA (’11)
1st prize: Independent film, ASIFA-East , USA (’10)
1st prize: Premio Simona Gesmundo Corti D’Animazione, Italy (’10)
2nd prize: narrative, CutOut Fest, Mexico (’10)
Finalist: animation, Vimeo Festival + Awards, USA (’10)
1st place: commissioned music video Kalamazoo Film Festival, US (’10)
2nd place: sponsored film over 2 min ASIFA East Animation Festival, US (’09)
Honorable mention Kids Film Festival, US (’09)
Director’s choice- Black Maria Film & Video Festival (’09)
3rd place Jay Sanders Film Festival, US (’06)
Society of Illustrators, student competition scholarship award (’05)
2nd prize: Dong-A LG animation festival, Korea (’04)
special award: Krok animation festival, Russia/Ukraine (’04)
………. TALKS / WORKSHOPS……….
Trollywood Animation Festival, Sweden (2023)
Vermont Animation Festival, US (2023)
Rhode Island School of Design (2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
California State University Long Beach, US (2022)
Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Canada (2022)
New Chitose Int Animation Festival, Japan (2021)
Camden County College, NJ (2021)
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, MA (2019, 2020)
ASIFA Central (2020)
Maine Collage of Art, ME (2020)
SAE Institute, South Africa (2020)
Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Israel (2020)
Rooftop Film Festival – virtual live event, US (2020)
Moore College of Art and Design, PA (2019)
San Jose State University, CA US (2019)
KROK International Animation Festival, Russia (2018)
Pratt Institute, NY US (2011, 2018)
Towson University, MD US (2016, 2018)
John Hopkins University, BFA Film, Baltimore USA (2018)
The Governor’s School for the Arts, VA (2017)
Ciclic Animation, France (2016)
Miniature Lighting workshop @ Maryland Institute College of Art, BFA Film (2016)
Women in Film & Video, DC (2015)
Lunch Lecture @ Maryland Institute College of Art, MFA Illustration (2015)
Stop motion workshop @ Maryland Institute College of Art, MFA Illustration (2014 & 2015)
Concept Development workshop & Artist Talk @Anibar, Kosovo (2014)
Laputa Art Animation School, Japan (2014)
Character workshop & Artist Talk @CutOut Fest, Queretaro, Mexico (2013)
Tecnologio de Monterrey, Mexico (2013)
University of the Arts, Philadelphia (2013)
North Dakota University (2012)
NIAf-Utrecht University (2012)
NIAf- Amsterdam University (2011)
Dutch Design Week (with NIAF), the Netherlands (2011)
Cal Arts (2011)
Animation workshop @ Museum of Moving Image (2011)
School of Visual Arts (2011)
Parsons the New School for Design (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014 & 2015)
Fashion Institute of Technology (2010, 2011)
Philadelphia University (2011)
Southern Utah University (2011)
Sundance Film Festival- Park City High School (2011)
After Effects New York (2010)
Animation Workshop @Japan Society (2009)
Sesame Workshop (2008)
Monroe Community College (2008)
Women in Animation (2008 & 2009)
………. TEACHING ……….
Max is a full-time faculty at Rhode Island School of Design, BFA Animation (2018-present)
past: full-time faculty @ Maryland Institute College of Art, BFA Animation (2012-2018) Recipient of “Excellence in Teaching” 2015
past: part-time faculty @ Parsons the New School for Design, Design and Technology Department (2006-2010)
past: thesis advisor @ School of Visual Arts, MFA Computer art (2011 spring)
Ru has taught as a part-time faculty at Rhode Island School of Design BFA Film/Animation/Video (2021), Maryland Institute College of Art BFA Animation (2014-2015, 2017) & MFA Illustration (2015)
past: part-time faculty @ Parsons the New School for Design, Pre-College Department (2007-2010)
past: thesis advisor @ School of Visual Arts, MFA Computer art (2010 fall, 2011 spring, 2012 fall, 2013 spring)
………. CLIENTS ……….
Ikimonogakari
The Hershey Company
Ben & Jerry’s (Ad Agency: Mekanism)
Amplify
Fable Vision
Arm & Hammer / Orajel (Ad Agency: Colangelo)
Ralph Lauren
Sprout
They Might Be Giants
Jakks Pacific
David Yurman
Sesame Workshop
Child Abuse Prevention Services
Museyon
………. PUBLICATION / BROADCAST ……….
Animafest Zagreb- Animafest insight (2020)
Shots.net (2020)
Channel 5 Danish Radio (2019)
Motionographer (2019)
Le Polyester(2018)
Cartoon Brew(2018)
RTBF, Belgium (2018)
Le Monde (2017)
The Hollywood Reporter (2017)
Animation Magazine (2017)
Animation World Network (2017)
Variety (2017)
La Croix(2017)
Tonko House Podcast (2017)
Skwigly Animation Magazine(2017)
Tampen.jp(2016)
Cartoon Brew (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016)
Motionographer (2009,2010, 2010, 2015)
Maxon Cinema4D (2015)
Ceiga (2015)
Crem.JP(2015)
Cute Overload (2015)
CGSociety (2014, 2015, 2016)
CG Society Meet the Artists, Australia(’14)
Baltimore City Paper (2014)
Lynda.com “Creative Sparks” documentary subject (2014)
Indiewire Animation Scoop (’14)
IDN v18 and IDN “Best of Collection 2011” (2011)
Animation Reporter, India (2011)
Share it! Magazine, Columbia (2011)
Animation Magazine, USA (2011)
Variety, USA (2011)
Eizo Shinbun, Japan (2011)
WebDesigning, Japan (2011)
Stash Magazine 71, USA (2010)
Computer Arts Magazine UK, UK (2010)
CG Magazine China, China (2010)
Red Giant (2010)
………. JUDGE ……….
-MAX-
Academy Awards, US (2018-present)
Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival, US (2019)
The Walla Walla Movie Crush (2019)
Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival (2019)
New Hampshire Film Festival (2018)
CutOut Fest, student competition (2013)
-RU-
National Endowment for the Arts, Media Arts Grants Panelists (2022)
Academy Awards, US (2018-present)
New Chitose Int Animation Festival – Feature & Student film (2021)
MSI Creators Award (2021)
Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival, US (2019)
Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, France (2019)
Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival (2019)
Krok International Animation Festival, Ukraine/ Russia (2018)
Motionographer – THE MOTION AWARDS – short film category, US (2017,2018, 2020)
Academy Nicholle Fellowship, US (2018)
Society of Illustrators 56, Moving Image category, US (2013)