"Roto" is an art project aimed at producing short films by the use of "Rotoscoping"; an animation technique based on frame-by-frame tracing and image manipulating of pre-recorded live-action images, but in this instance manilpulated in accordance with the artists' own stylistic techniques, thus resulting in unique visual effect imagery .. Inspired by "The Choice", a revolutionary movie project, considered among the milestones of 70s Egyptian cinema .. "The Choice" was directed by Youssef Shahin, who was strongly concerned with the visual composition of the scenes in an avant-garde manner, renowned for his daring representation of social and cultural controversy, and his open tackling of taboo issues.

The idea of "Roto" was initiated by Passage 35; an art and culture venue concerned with encouraging young artists and sponsoring productions in contemporary arts.

The project started in October 2008, by a number of introductory sessions directed by curators Ahmed Foula and Nagla Samir. On 17/11/2008 an open call was released for artists to submit project proposala; 20 artists submitted for the call, and 12 were chosen by a committee of artists; Sherif El Azma, Sherine El Ansary, Mahmoud Refaat, and curators on 29/11/2008

Workshops started 13/12/2008 and ran until 11/3/2009 and resulted in 11 short films. Workshops were directed by Sherif El Azma, Sherine El Ansary, in collaboration with Magdi Mostafa and Islam Kamal, and curators Ahmed Foula and Nagla Samir.

 

Films produced during the first "Roto" project:

1. Tinnitus - Amr Qenwai - 1:15 mins.

2. Confession - Ahmed Mohsen - 2:37 mins.

3. At Lunch - Shereen Elbaroudy - 1:48 mins.

4. 179/181 - Hend Nawwar - 1:19 mins.

5. THIS IS MY 1ST DEATH - Menna Mostafa - 1:51 mins.

6. Platform - Amro Thabit - 1:43 mins.

7. No more - Nevine Farghali - 1:15 mins.

8. Strange Zone - Shereen Lofty - 1:30 mins.

9. By the River - Ahmed Sabry - 3:13 mins.

10. Erotic Product - Mohamed Abdelkarim - 1:26 mins.

11. OCD - Nina El Gebaly - 9:47 mins.