Annecy Festival has unveiled details of its special focus on Mexican Animation, which will bring the country’s colorful artistic traditions, global talents and emerging storytellers into the spotlight June 11-17. Across festival programs on shorts, TV and student work as well as work-in-progress feature sessions and a Mifa masterclass, attendees will have much to discover about Mexico’s contributions to the animation map.
“Everyone knows Guillermo del Toro, Jorge R. Gutierrez, but what do we really know about Mexican animation, which remains very little-known?” says Marcel Jean, the Festival’s Artistic Director. “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. This will be the chance for the festivalgoers to discover many films, some of which were screened at Annecy, some were Annecy award-winners, but also others that will be screened here for the very first time.”
Annecy Festival will celebrate Mexican Animation across nine distinctive special programs:
Mexican Archeology
Back to Mexican animation’s roots, this program highlights the experimental and historical works reflecting the multiplicity and milestones in Mexico’s animation history.
Guadalajara School
The birthplace of one of Mexican animation’s most iconic visuals, Guadalajara is a constant source of inspiration. Explore this inimitable vibe through a selection of works from 2001 to 2022.
Indigenous Mexico
The Mexican cultural tapestry is characterised by a wide variety of indigenous peoples. This programme takes us on a journey through the heritage history of these indigenous communities.
Urban and Suburban Tales
Through a host of different mediums, the films in this program capture life’s essence in Mexican towns, granting us a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of Mexican urban areas.
Mexican TV
Television codes shift to make way for original Mexican content on the country’s small screen. This program presents a few of the more recent shows, in particular the first animated series for TV created in Mexico in 1972.
Growing up Mexican
This program looks at the films that have fascinated young Mexicans over the last few decades, both regarding their stories and the way they view children as the discerning audience that they are.
Surrealities: Poetic Imagery
Through the diversity of the animation medium, this selection pays tribute to experimental artists who have challenged established narratives, structure, time and movement in search of expression, empathy and a new language.
The Untold Stories
The films in this program demonstrate Mexican animation’s commitment and urgency to describe the structural violence across the country that is violating our bodies and lives.
Mexico in Hollywood TV
This program reveals how Mexican expertise has integrated American production.
This multifarious programming illustrates Mexican animation’s unique characteristics, from the techniques employed to the themes combining social realities with the divergence of a multi-faceted culture.
In this selection, the Festival features key directors such as Sofia Carrillo (Cerulia), René Castillo with Down to the Bone (Hasta los huesos – 2001) which won several Annecy awards, and Carlos Carrera with The Hero, Palme d’Or for a Short Film at Cannes in 1994.
The Festival also welcomes three Mexican jury members to its 2023 edition:
VR Works category
Jorge R. Gutierrez
A director, in particular of The Book of Life, and he designed the Festival’s official poster.
Feature Films category
Sofía E. Alexander
An animator known for her work as executive producer and creator of the show Onyx Equinox.
TV and Commissioned Films category
Estrella Araiza
General Director of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.
In addition, the Perspectives jury will be composed of three young people from Guadalajara, who will be awarding the City of Annecy Award for a Short Film.
The abundance of Mexican animation is waiting to be discovered in competition in a variety of Festival categories:
In the Official Short Films selection:
Flesh of God, by Patricio Plaza (Mexico/Argentina coproduction)
Smoke (Humo), by Rita Basulto
In the Off-Limits Short Films selection:
I Can’t Go on Like This, by Aria Covamonas from Planet Earth
In the Perspectives Short Films selection:
K8, by Miguel Anaya
Shifting (Trasiego), by Amanda Woolrich (Mexico/Canada coproduction)
In the TV Films selection:
Dr. Gecko’s Show (El show del Dr. Gecko) “Sex Gender”, by Marcos Almada Rivero
In the Commissioned Films selection:
Common Seas “Blood Type: Plastic”, by Diego Huacuja (U.S./Mexico coproduction)
Mexican Animation at Annecy also include two WIP Feature Film projects, including Frankelda and the Prince of Spooks (Frankelda y el principe de los sustos) by Roy Ambriz and Arturo Ambriz.
Plus, 10 teasers made by Gobelins Paris will have a Mexican theme.
The Mifa is also getting into the spirit of the national theme. A stand will host numerous studios and schools, in particular the SAE Institute México, Escena, Coco School, ITEMS, CAAV and UNIVA.
Jorge R. Gutierrez, the Mifa Campus’ patron this year, will be presenting a Masterclass on Tuesday, June 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Throughout the week, numerous events will highlight Mexican animation’s talent and content. For example, Partners Conferences, Partners Pitches and sessions that will be addressing issues around coproduction.
Register to attend Annecy 2023 and find more information at annecyfestival.com.
