During Annecy International Animation Film Festival’s press conference, Véronique Encrenaz, Head of the Film Market, confirmed that the event will be held on June 14-17. Encrenaz also announced a surface area of almost 8.000 m² to host over a hundred events in the Impérial Palace rooms, and more than 150 stands in the adjacent Exhibition Area.
"Preparing for this Mifa’s 2022 edition, we can feel the burning desire from all corners to reunite again in Annecy in June, to resume contacts, discover films, meet new partners and work on the next great animation films or series. It is like a homecoming and at the same time a new chapter that is being written for all of us at Annecy," said Véronique Encrenaz, Head of the Annecy International Animation Film Market.
On the ground floor of the Exhibition Area, with the Chill Out Area nestled alongside it on the lake platform, there will be larger pavilions for the delegations brought together by Animation UK, Téléfilm Canada, Telefilm/Sodec, ICEX Spain, Ice Italy, and for the first time ever, a stand for Koreans from the KOCCA. Furthermore, the Mifa observes a continued strong presence from Latin America, for most of Asia, as well as Africa’s steadily-increasing presence.
Meanwhile, on the first floor, for the first time, a bigger XR Area will include a room for conferences and project presentations, sponsored by Unity and la Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Switzerland will be in the limelight with an umbrella in the Exhibition Area and a special programme throughout the week, in particular the XR project presentations, and Samuel Patthey, recipient of the Cristal for a Short Film in 2021 with Peel, will be a speaker at the Mifa Campus.
For France, returning or on a stand for the first time, will be Unifrance, AnimFrance, SPI, as well as a larger editorialized Short Film Area, in partnership with the AFCA/France in shorts, Unifrance and the Agence du court métrage. These partners will present short films throughout the week and offer the floor to the various people involved in the short films to discuss their work.
In support of Ukraine, the Mifa also sought to maintain and finance the umbrella usually organized by Ukrainian Animation Association (UAnima), loyal participants for many years and no longer able to benefit from the usual support. The Annecy team will welcome professionals and talents whose list is currently being prepared.
Ever richer content will be presented by various professional associations worldwide (Women in Animation and FIAPF in the USA, Les Femmes s’Animent in France, and MIA in Spain). In particular, the traditional Monday that will run a complete series of panel discussions. In addition, the Mifa will host specific Pitch Sessions on Wednesday and a discussion during the Mifa Campus on Friday about women’s roles in Japanese animation.
The Mifa will host eight talks from major audiovisual stakeholders who will present their latest news: France Télévisions, AnimFrance, Disney, ON kids & family, Canal+, Ellipsanime Productions (Groupe Média-Participations), Groupe M6, and the Fonds de soutien aux œuvres d'animation (Funding Support for Animation Works). TeamTO will hold a press breakfast to talk about the four years of its solidarity school in Valence.
The Mifa Campus, a full day dedicated to young animators and students that is usually held on the Tuesday, will now be held at the end of the week on June 17, to provide the chance for even more discussions between professionals and future talents.
To see the event’s full agenda, click here.