The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has partnered with Animation South
Africa (ASA) in taking a South African delegation of 40 filmmakers to this year’s Annecy
International Animation Film Festival. The festival and its market (MIFA) are major
international events which host over 7,000 industry professionals in France from 15 to 20 June 2015.
The NFVF has offered financial support to thirteen filmmakers participating at
the festival in order to showcase their films, look for sales agents, pitch projects or
seek co-production partners. In addition, the NFVF is providing its funded students a
chance to participate in a training programme, which is taking place at Annecy’s
Gobelins Summer School.
Two South African animation projects have been selected to feature at MIFA’s Pitch
Sessions. This is the third year in a row in which South African feature concepts
have been accepted into the international pitch section, following the success of
Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba.
This year marks the launch of a new category in the MIFA Pitch Sessions, Animation
du Monde, which has a special South African focus. Off the back of this event, one
South African director will see his or her project come to life through a six month
residency in France, working with top French studios as well as Triggerfish
Animation in Cape Town.
“This special opportunity is the result of our ongoing dialogue with the French
Institute of South Africa, who have shown consistent dedication towards creating
platforms for our two countries to collaborate,’ says Triggerfish partner and
Animation SA board member Anthony Silverston. “MIFA’s South African pitch session
is in large part the result of their efforts.’
