Annecy goes big for Africa in 2018!

Annecy goes big for Africa in 2018!


An
necy International Animated Film Festival and its Market, MIFA- the world’s top reference for animation films and industry, returns to Africa to scout for the best talents for Animation du Monde 2019.

 

Festival MIFA

Annecy by CITIA

 

Expanded Footprint:

2018 sees Annecy/MIFA, African Animation Network (AAN) and DISCOP Markets continue their partnership but, with an expanded footprint through a partnership with DISCOMICS.  DISCOMICS is an open network platform founded by AAN and DISCOP Markets in partnership with ICON Comic & Gaming Convention (ICON CGC), Nairobi Comic Convention (NAICCON) and Lagos Comic Convention (LCC).

Thus, the Annecy – MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde competition will take place across 3 markets (DISCOP Abidjan, Zanzibar & Johannesburg) and 3 comic conventions (ICON Comic & Gaming Convention, Nairobi Comic Convention & Lagos Comic Convention) spanning Southern, Eastern & Western Africa with the Grand Finale at DISCOMICS Johannesburg.

According to Geraldine Bache, Head of Education and Projects, MIFA; “This expanded footprint is exciting because it allows us to reach unique animation talent from more territories and countries in Africa which ensures greater diversity and representation.  This embodies Animation du Monde’s core mandate of assisting in building talent in developing animation territories”.

Patrick Zuchowicki, CEO of Basic Lead, continues; “We will launch the expanded footprint at DISCOP Abidjan with a celebration of French companies, initiatives and festivals that have been engaging with Africa.  Annecy/MIFA’s participation in Africa in 2017 (and beyond) stands as a glowing model for what is achievable when collaborating with France”.

 

Calls for Content:

There will be 5 separate calls for content across the calendar year as follows:

DISCOP Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, 28 May – 30 May (NB: Entries open 11 April & close 21 May: register HERE)
ICON CGC, Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 June – 01 July (NB: Entries open 8 May & close 8am 28 June: register HERE)
DISCOP Zanzibar, Tanzania, 11 July – 13 July (NB: Entries open 31 May & close 27 June: register HERE)
NAICCON, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 August – 12 August (NB: Entries open 20 June & close 20 July: register HERE)
LCC, Lagos, Nigeria, 15 September (NB: Entries open 24 July & close 24 August: register HERE)

2 projects will be selected from each event to compete at the Grand Finale at DISCOMICS Johannesburg (14 – 17 November) for the opportunity to represent the continent and compete against their global counterparts at Animation du Monde 2019.

According to Nick Wilson, Head of Projects at AAN; “Perhaps the biggest value for entrants who proceed to the Grand Finale is the Annecy MIFA – Animation du Monde – Skills Programme which includes pitching workshops, training sessions and one-on-one meetings with industry experts ahead of the Grand Finale.  Last year we saw a number of talents develop exponentially through this experience”.

 

2017 in Review:

In 2017 Annecy/MIFA partnered with the AAN and DISCOP Markets to run the first Pan-African animation pitching competition.  The aim was to create a confluence of Francophone & Anglophone African animation with pitching competitions hosted at DISCOP Abidjan and Johannesburg.  50 projects in development were entered into the inaugural Annecy – MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde with entries received from 8 countriesSouth Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Togo and Ethiopia.  2 semi-finals were hosted at DISCOP Abidjan and DISCOP Johannesburg with 6 projects selected from each to compete in the Grand Finale at DISCOP Johannesburg.

An Annecy MIFA – Animation du Monde – Skills Programme was aligned to the pitching competition and hosted by Geraldine Bache, Head of Education and Projects, MIFA. The skills programme encompassed a pitching workshop, training sessions and one-on-one meetings which ensured all the contestants were prepared ahead of the Grand Finale.

At the Grand Finale, the 2 projects which were selected to represent Africa and compete against their global counterparts at Animation du Monde 2018 were Mumue, a short film by Wendy Spinks & Clea Mallison (South Africa) and The Tree of Palimpsest a TV series by Ingrid Agbo (Togo).

There was strong industry involvement in the competition with Turner (TV Series & Specials), Toon Boom (Short Films), Digital Lab Africa (Transmedia) and The Animation School (Feature Films) all represented on the judging panel.

Nick Wilson summarizes; “The partnership between Annecy/MIFA, DISCOP Markets and AAN has been a catalyst for African talent to be identified, mentored and introduced to African and international influencers in a territory not renowned for IP development yet rich in talent and cultures.”