"Learning sculpture gave a new dimension to my cartoons. I realized animation was the way to go, because you could make your sculptures move and talk," he said.

Mr. Parker seemed impressed, Mr. Rao recalled, gave him a few tips, and stressed that he try to attend Sheridan's animation summer school, despite its relatively high cost in Indian currency.

He also suggested Mr. Rao attend the awards ceremony for the film festival that night.

Meanwhile, Mr. Parker and fellow animation judge Kaj Pindal, a Danish filmmaker who is also an instructor at the Sheridan animation program, decided to award their $4,000 U.S. animation prize to Swiss filmmaker Ted Sieger.

While both men lauded Mr. Sieger's work, they agreed it was a pity they couldn't award the prize to an India filmmaker.

Later the same day, Mr. Rao was having trouble getting through the doors at the award ceremony.