One of the main events of the animation industry, The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and its MIFA market, both organized by the Center national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) and CITIA, have started its 60th (June 11-17) and 35th (June 13-16) editions respectively in Annecy, France. Both events are leading ones on the agenda for everyone involved in the animation industry, that each year reunite creators, producers, distributors, buyers, students and interested attendees.

Last together edition 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 events intend to exceed these figures, especially with the strong circulation and the flood of productions, of which 11 programs from 9 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 editions celebrate 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? Annecy Festival 2023 will give pride of place to Mexican animation. We’ve 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 México in global animation, including: a section that will explore the roots of animation in this country; 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.

The second year's theme is “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, and to 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.

Among the presentations through the MIFA events, leading broadcasters and animation studios will show their new titles: Spanish RTVE, French Mediawan Kids & Family, Chinese Tencent, and BBC Children’s, among others. And some big names in the industry will offer masterclasses, like filmmaker Guillermo del Toro; legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios Director/Animator, Eric Goldberg; and virtuosic stop-motion animator Barry JC Purves.

Alberto Buitron

| ANNECY/MIFFA Daily News

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