One of the central events of the animation industry, The Annecy International Animation Film Festival and its MIFA market, organized by the Center National du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) and CITIA, reach 60 and 35 years respectively from June 11 to 17 in the city of Annecy, France. Both events are mandatory on the agenda of everyone involved in the industry, as each year it brings together creators, producers, distributors, buyers, students and interested attendees.
The 2022 Annecy Festival tallied: 13,248 accredited badge-holders hailing from 106 countries (of whom 11,800 non-locals); over 300 screenings; 50,000 attendees at the Open-air Screenings; and 165 events and professional meetings.
This year the event intends to exceed these figures, especially with the strong circulation and the flood of productions, of which eleven works from nine countries around the world were selected in the official competition. Twelve in the Contrechamp competition and a hundred titles that will be screened over the 7 days.
This year’s edition celebrates diversity in all its forms, and Mexico has been selected as the focus country, as it is one of the fastest-growing emerging markets in the animation industry.
‘Everyone knows Guillermo del Toro, Jorge R. Gutierrez, but what do we really know about Mexican animation, which remains very little-known? Annecy Festival 2023 will give pride of place to Mexican animation, putting it in the spotlight this year. This is why we asked Mexican programmers to provide us with an overview of this great country’s entire historical production’, said Marcel Jean, the Festival’s Artistic Director.
In that sense, the festival has a line up of 9 programs that will define the importance of this country in global animation, including: a section that will explore the roots of animation in Mexico; also “Gadalajara School” will project a selection of national works from 2001 to 2022; Mexican TV will also play a leading role in this edition, with the presentation of a curatorship of shows made in the country; among other sections.
Aligned with Mexico as the country in focus, this year’s theme will be “Animation, Pride and Diversity”, which will be headed by four short film programmes. ‘This theme has become a topical issue, especially for young filmmakers, many of whom tackle issues related to gender and diversity every year’, explained Jean.
Some of the sections include a showcase of selected works by filmaker Holly Murtha that will revolve around queer stories; also a showcase curated by the Argentine filmmaker Patricio Plaza that will have as its axis the wishes of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Finally, the event will once again have its successful digital platform, which in this edition will be presented redesigned and which is included in the 3 business axes: programming, where those registered will be able to access previews, special programs, see the titles of the official selection ; Inspiration, where you can access keynotes and MIFA market conferences, sessions focused on creative aspects, animation techniques and business; and exploration, where they will be able to observe the temporal projections.
