Edito - Véronique Encrenaz

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VÉRONIQUE ENCRENAZ
Head of Mifa, CITIA

In its 39th year and 34th edition, the Annecy International Animation Film Market is proving once again that it is part of an ecosystem that is constantly evolving on a technological, graphic, narrative, geographical, ecological and human level.

Through its constant growth – and almost 40 years of existence! – Mifa is keeping pace with the rapid changes taking place in the animation industry. In a world where benchmarks and points of reference are in turmoil, it is more crucial than ever to provide editorial support for the market's professionals and the ideas they embody, in order to defend values, cultures and opinions.

The 760 projects submitted for the Mifa Pitches, from 82 countries, embody this diversity and will be reflected at Mifa in the 41 projects selected. A total of 120 projects will be screened throughout the week, shedding light on world news and trends.

These trends will also be on show in the brand-new XR&Games area, which will be hosting all the XR formats present at Annecy since 2016 and further encouraging synergies between animation and immersive creations, as well as video games for the first time.

This 2024 edition of Mifa will be an opportunity to celebrate cross-disciplinarity, particularly through the Mifa Animation Industry Award, which will be presented to Ankama, whose international success and transmedia DNA have made it a key player in the industry and a pioneer since it was founded in 2001.

Last but not least, the Campus Mifa is set to demonstrate its ambition for the second year, through a wideranging programme. Embodying the youth and future of animation, with its schools, students and young professionals very much in evidence in Annecy, the Campus will see the greatest talents in animation take time out to compare their expertise and values with the first steps and inspirations of new generations. Wes Anderson, Henry Selick, Mo Sutton and Regina Pessoa – the new patron of the Campus and a major figure in Portuguese animation that will be celebrated this year – will leave their mark on this new edition of the Campus Mifa for many years to come.

Have a great week and see you in 2025 for Mifa's 40th anniversary!