Editorials
Annecy 2023
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DOMINIQUE PUTHOD MICKAËL MARIN "L’animation n’est pas un genre. L’animation, c’est du cinéma." From Mexican animation to the official competition and from premieres to the "Animation, Pride and Diversity" theme, Annecy is once again the epicentre of cinematographic art continually pushing the confines of creativity. And this is what makes it possible for animated cinema to captivate ever-greater numbers of fans. We’ve chosen to further boost this dynamic by starting the Festival screenings from Sunday on. While this additional day is a historic "first" for the Festival, it’s also an opportunity to launch the festivities with locals in attendance. Annecy 2023 also means an enlarged Mifa for greater help for students and talents, in particular via the inauguration of a special new space: the Campus. This platform for meetings and exchanges is proof of our determination to cement Annecy’s positioning as a perfect springboard to the workplace. In a context where war continues to flare at the gates of Europe, we again offer our support to the Ukrainian animated film community by endorsing its presence in Annecy. Both of us wish you a grand Festival and Mifa! |
Festival
CITIA
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MARCEL JEAN For the eleventh time now, I’ve had the great honour of endorsing the programme for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It was put together through the joint efforts of a team of enthusiasts who viewed thousands of movies over the past few months. Every year we receive more and more films. Every year they come from a wider array of countries. Every year, the growth of the animation community and giant leaps in quality make this work of our selectors ever more difficult. I want to truly praise them here because without their hard work it would be impossible for us to deliver such a vast menu, to offer you such a complete and diverse portrayal of the world’s production. I am convinced that the Festival’s 2023 vintage year will set new standards for quality, and convinced as well that it firmly proves our desire for inclusion and our taste for discovery. May this Festival be a celebration for you, may it stimulate creativity, encourage passions and ideas and help train all those who will gift us with the great works of the future! Such are my wishes for this already outstanding vintage. Do enjoy the show! |
Minister of Culture
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RIMA ABDUL-MALAK With its lake and mountains, Annecy has served as the most stunning backdrop to the world’s top animation event since 1960. For days on end the city teems with fancy and fantasy, and throbs to the beat of animated images. A showcase of French excellence as well as a reflection of the vitality of foreign creativity, notably with this "special Mexico" edition, Annecy is gearing up to welcome over 13,000 professionals and artists from a hundred different countries. The International Animation Film Festival is emblematic of the dynamism of a major sector at the core of our creative industries. Boasting peerlessly famed schools and energetic and competitive studios implanted throughout the country and contributing to so many major international projects, the French ecosystem is a success story made possible thanks to constant and determined public backing but especially thanks to the daring and inventiveness of its creatives, technicians and producers. Extolling heritage as much as all forms of contemporary creation, the Festival is a magic moment: inspiring students, encouraging emerging talents to encounter the industry, sharing the great diversity of animation with all types of audiences – even outdoors! From animated movies to spicy dialogues, this year Annecy will once again reign at the very epicentre of artistic and political deliberations which continue to shake up our ever-changing world. To each and every one of you, I wish you a fabulous festival! |
CNC
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DOMINIQUE BOUTONNAT We’re very happy to support the Annecy International Animation Film Festival because it’s not only the nerve centre of worldwide animation but also a yearly highpoint loved by all – audiences and professionals – for its encompassing spirit and creative energy, especially this year thanks to the fabulous artistic promise of guest-of-honour Mexico. Since the previous festival, French animation has gleamed with its creative diversity, sustained by peerless studios and talents, through box office smashes such as The Black Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess by Michel Ocelot, Epic Tales or The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The latter was produced in Paris by French teams and topped planetary charts for the biggest animated film opening ever. Yes, France is proud of its unparalleled industry anchored in an ecosystem that is already strong, varied and structured. Thus, with the nation’s 350 million EUR invested in training, sets and digital production studios via its France 2030 programme, we will be forceful in continuing to offer our creatives the means to achieve their vast technical and artistic goals. This promises lively creative and industrial adventures in French cinema and animation! On this note, let me wish each and every one of you an excellent Annecy Festival, replete with discoveries, encounters and cooperation of all types, for the very best of planetary imagination! And congratulations to all those people who make this possible: the CITIA and Mifa teams, the local governments, and of course all those who help set this fabulous festival to music. |
France Télévisions
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DELPHINE ERNOTTE-CUNCI As a foremost backer of French animation, France Télévisions is proud to be the official partner of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Again this year, this not-to-be-missed international event offers an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding vitality of one of our most dynamic and daring creative industries that contributes to France’s radiant influence throughout the world. All year long France Télévisions focuses the limelight on animation on all its channels, especially Okoo. Our children’s programming pairs strong linear exposure with extensive digital distribution, growing increasingly popular even among the youngest viewers. As a mainstay of our bond to young viewership, animation is an essential genre on our public service slate. Since animated works are so vibrantly diverse, they spark their audiences’ imagination, enhance their sensitivity and enrich their worldview. It is for this very reason that we commit extensively to the creatives who breathe life into these works. Not only do the stakes involve supporting French creativity and defending our country’s cultural exception but they also involve editorializing our offers serving creativity in all shapes and forms, including immersive ones. It is up to us as content editors to accept the challenge of making choices, the challenge of singular viewpoints extending beyond algorithmic rules. Our main task is to address everyone. We are proud to serve as a popular medium and contribute to France’s influence through our greatest festivals including, of course, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival yet again this year. To each and all, a great festival! |
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region
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LAURENT WAUQUIEZ The Lumière brothers invented cinema, right here in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in the 19th century. Ever since that inaugural moment, our region has never failed to build on this legacy, to keep it vibrant and to continue to invent the history of the Seventh Art. Today we are a major region in terms of film. We are blessed to be able to count on a dynamic industry in this regard featuring theatre networks enlivening our communities, starred studios whose creations win multiple awards, and large-scale events entirely consecrated to film making. Among these events the Annecy Festival embodies the excellence of our area and has proven itself a not-to-be-missed date. Every year the Festival draws animation film fans and professionals from all across the world. This new year is once again brimming with promise. The official selection honours all the diversity and creativity of the animation realm. It also shines the spotlight on our regional studios, which have proven themselves to be so talented in the field. Festival-goers will be amazed at the cartoons on offer, these creations which so aptly combine a poignant childlike naivete with the amazing depths of filmmaking art. The Region is thus proud to be a partner of the Annecy Festival, while also helping organize over 500 cultural activities yearly throughout Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. With these closing words I sincerely thank the organisation as well as all the volunteers mobilised for this grand event which resonates far beyond our borders. So, everyone, have a wonderful festival! |
Haute-Savoie Department
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MARTIAL SADDIER MYRIAM LHUILLIER
From 11 to 17 June next, Annecy and all of Haute-Savoie will once again rock to the rhythm of the International Animation Film Festival and Market, this year basking in the glow of Mexico. Already for over 60 years, including a record-topping 2022 with more than 13,200 accreditations from 106 countries, our region has emerged as THE place to be for world-level animated film. The Haute-Savoie Conseil Départemental, a long-term partner of the Festival and Market, promotes animation in all its facets, whether for cinema, creation, distribution or training. As a matter of fact, in 2022 the Département’s elected officials doubled their support for animated works by an additional 300,000 EUR yearly, raising our commitment to the entire animation film sector to 700,000 EUR. Every year this Département-led programme which has already accompanied the completion of 63 projects, allows an additional ten new works to crystallise: TV series, short films, features and more. Likewise, backing is provided for the Département-wide tour of Haute-Savoie Art Cinema Houses, so the animation Festival can extend far beyond the Annecy stomping grounds. Our heartfelt congratulations to the CITIA team members, to the many volunteers and to all this event’s players who ensure the international brilliance of Haute-Savoie. A fantastic festival to each and every one! |
Annecy Town Hall
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FRANÇOIS ASTORG The International Animation Film Festival is above all the men and women of Annecy who, for several days, will swing to the beat of moving images, encounters between professionals and enthusiasts, and outdoor screenings. And in this vintage year 2023 imbued with the savours of Mexican animation, it’s the promise of a week that should be flavoursome, hearty and daring for us all! This year again the streets of the city are ablaze with its active backing for the Festival. Our city renews its commitment to an inclusive festival, accessible to everyone, placing culture within reach of all, especially with the conference entitled "The Festival Welcomes Difference". The citizens of Annecy must be able to enjoy this abundant pool of talent and creativity throughout the year, and such is the aim and intent of the future Animation Cinema City, located on the emblematic Haras (horse breeding) grounds. As a centre of excellence for the animated film sector, a springtime showcase for the Annecy Festival, and a nexus of culture for all, this project, I am certain, consolidates Annecy’s positioning as world animation capital, year-round! A warm welcome to all festival-goers. Enjoy a fab week of cinema in Annecy! |
Mifa
CITIA
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VÉRONIQUE ENCRENAZ Mexican animation has top billing this year at both the Festival and the Market. This long-anchored history between Annecy and Mexico has thus crystallized in many shared projects. In addition to the presence of Mexican exhibitors and an extended Market umbrella for them, a number of events centred on Mexican animation will illuminate the 4 days of Mifa. Of course Mifa will also be fully focused on animation professionals in general, addressing authors, festival organizers, exhibitors and composers, as well as buyers and investors. This is because our overreaching goal is balance and equal access to a Market that continues to thrive while staying so close to its professionals. Since it’s all about balance, the opening up of a new space within Mifa – the Campus – will not only streamline student access to events but also help professionals interact with these students, thanks to better-adapted infrastructures. And since it’s all about balance, the Market will drive its efforts for equality and diversity in step with Marcel Jean’s "Animation, Pride, Diversity" programme, on the Festival side. So that creativity reflects what an inclusive world ought to be. Whether it’s in showing respect for peoples and ideas, for individuality and the world around it, it’s nonetheless always a question of balance, including environmentally. Mifa is doing its share and continuing to investigate ways to always advance toward more good practices. These issues will be tackled again this year, to blaze new trails forward. So we wish you fine travels during these 4 Mifa days, and a great taste of a well-balanced programme! |
CNC
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DOMINIQUE BOUTONNAT We’re very happy to support the Annecy International Animation Film Festival because it’s not only the nerve centre of worldwide animation but also a yearly highpoint loved by all – audiences and professionals – for its encompassing spirit and creative energy, especially this year thanks to the fabulous artistic promise of guest-of-honour Mexico. Since the previous festival, French animation has gleamed with its creative diversity, sustained by peerless studios and talents, through box office smashes such as The Black Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess by Michel Ocelot, Epic Tales or The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The latter was produced in Paris by French teams and topped planetary charts for the biggest animated film opening ever. Yes, France is proud of its unparalleled industry anchored in an ecosystem that is already strong, varied and structured. Thus, with the nation’s 350 million EUR invested in training, sets and digital production studios via its France 2030 programme, we will be forceful in continuing to offer our creatives the means to achieve their vast technical and artistic goals. This promises lively creative and industrial adventures in French cinema and animation! On this note, let me wish each and every one of you an excellent Annecy Festival, replete with discoveries, encounters and cooperation of all types, for the very best of planetary imagination! And congratulations to all those people who make this possible: the CITIA and Mifa teams, the local governments, and of course all those who help set this fabulous festival to music.
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European Commission
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LUCÍA RECALDE The audiovisual sector is witnessing a rapid evolution driven by technological developments accompanying new ways of creating and producing content. The animation sector is at the forefront of these innovative developments, combining technological innovation and creative challenges. Audiences value this capacity of animation for providing a creative synthesis between storytelling and new technologies. While emerging technologies allow works to be produced in more innovative ways, storytelling is effortlessly bringing together animation alongside different genres, such as the documentary genre. Through Creative Europe MEDIA and the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan, we are behind the industry to boost the creative and business opportunities of each European player, to strengthen the sector as a whole. Animation will benefit from MEDIA actions related to co-development, and from a more flexible TV programming scheme, as well as training programs for those looking to keep pace with the digital and green transformations. We are looking forward to following the discussions at the Annecy Festival. This dynamic forum is where the latest technological developments and the latest trends in storytelling provide the ideal business environment for professionals to seize the opportunities for the growth of the animation sector and for audiovisual policy makers to seize how to best target public support. |
France Télévisions
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PIERRE SIRACUSA Animation has always made the very most of technological breakthroughs. Its acute sense of diverted function plus its taste for tinkering lead it to continually challenge its production methods and manufacturing tools. Over the past 20 years, this ability to thrive on major innovations has indisputably served a creativity that is continually more bountiful and diversified. And there’s no doubt that animation will be quicker than any other domain to harness the capabilities of generative A.I. As a matter of fact, this is already the case for most of the major pursuits linked to moving images: real-time animation, ultra-realism of images, movement and more. However, these innovations now call into question the very status of what a work is: ChatGPT and Midjourney have paved the way to hybrid objects, by increasingly replacing creativity. Are these tools and their future generations susceptible of finally calling into question the very role of authorship in our creative processes…? At the same time, broadcasting spaces have likewise equipped themselves with ever finer and more effective analysis and advisory tools to the extent that they query the very notion of programming. This movement is far from neutral when considering designing programmes. If the latter were merely a series of algorithms, it’s difficult to imagine how artificial intelligence would not finally replace all or part of the authorship role. The real challenge concerning the future of these digital intelligences is ALSO dependent on the ability of broadcasters to lay claim to the editorialization of their offers (including, paradoxically, linear programming which could – more and more – end up serving creativity). The remit of editors is this very duty to accept the challenges of choosing, of ideas driven by convictions, of taking a gamble on unique viewpoints extending beyond the simple application of algorithmic findings. This responsibility is that of all broadcasters, from the largest linear channels to the tiniest movie theatres, from platforms to festivals… So long life to the Annecy Festival! |