The Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market/MIFA, African Animation Network, DISCOMICS, Association Ivoirienne du Film d’Animation and Association Burkinabè du Cinéma d’Animation have partnered for the first round of the Annecy – MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde at DISCOP Abidjan (May 28-30, Radisson Blu).
Annecy/MIFA has passed the baton to AAN to coordinate the second edition of a pan-African animation pitching competition, with an expanded footprint through a partnership with DISCOMICS — a new enterprise established by AAN and DISCOP Markets in partnership with the leading African animation associations and comic conventions in Africa.
“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,” said Geraldine Bache, Head of Education & Project, MIFA. “This embodies Animation du Monde’s core mandate of assisting in building talent in developing animation territories.”
The deadline to enter the first round of competition at Abidjan is May 21; finalists will be notified by May 23. Submissions can be made here.
Two winners will be selected from DISCOP Abidjan to attend the continental final at DISCOP Johannesburg in November. They will compete against finalists from four other regional competitions (ICON CGC, DISCOP Zanzibar, NAICCON and Lagos Comic Con) and the top two projects from across Africa will win automatic entry in the final of Animation du Monde at Annecy/MIFA 2019.
“This is a fantastic initiative for us as an association as well as for all our members. It is a privilege to be a host country of this prestigious competition for the second year in a row,” said Abel Kouame, President of AIFA.
Wilfrid Pare, Cultural Administrator Communications Consultant of ABCA, continued: “Annecy/MIFA is a brand that embodies the pinnacle of our craft of animation. For ABCA to partner with AAN and Annecy/MIFA and have the opportunity to be part of the number one animation festival in the world is truly an honor.”
“We’re exceptionally proud to continue our partnership with AIFA and ABCA. Both associations are doing incredible work in the region to promote and build the animation sector. We’re looking forward to finding amazing talent in the region to represent Africa on the global stage,” commented Nick Wilson, Head of Projects at AAN and co-founder of DISCOMICS. “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.”
