Successful wrap-up of Animation! third edition
The program of Animation! 2018 was composed of special presentations, business rounds, training sessions and networking activities. Some of the highlights were Pocoyo’s success case introduced by Belli Ramírez, Nicolás Schmerkin´s presentation about co-production and distribution alternatives for short films and the keynote by José Carlos García de Letona, Vice-President of Ánima Estudios from Mexico, who shared the secrets of the animation company that has most production in the region.
Ricardo Cortés Vera (Señal Colombia) talked about the influence of audiences on content creation, and Lucas Arechaga, gave advice and keys for creators willing to submit their proposals to the Cartoon Network Latin America Original Productions team.
The program was completed with a panel presented by the Quirino Awards for Ibero-American Animation, in which representatives from different associations and groups from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru discussed association and co-participation models in Ibero America.
The Animation! Training Sessions, were held by Rita Street, who shared her pitching secrets; Justine Bannister, shed light on content consumption trends and new platforms to take into account when creating content; and Karen Vermeulen, who gave advice to get the right balance between creativity and business objectives when creating the business plan.
In Animation! Working Session representatives of animation projects in development took part in work groups led by international specialists, who gave them feedback and advice in order to improve their presentations.
Speed dating and networking activities
During Animation! Speed Dating: Meet the Projects there was a series of one-to-one meetings between renowned professionals in the animation industry from Argentina, Colombia, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Spain, UK and USA and representatives of Latin American animation projects.
During these meetings, the project leaders were able to show their work and create bonds with potential strategic partners for their productions.
As part of a joint venture between Film Fund Luxembourg and Animation!, a special networking activity allowed companies from Latin America and Luxembourg to share their projects and explore future collaborations and co-productions.
Curated by the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and its Market (MIFA), Animation! WIPs featured an exclusive selection of Latin American films in advanced production presented in a special program for industry members participating in the market.
One of the prominent selected projects was Ainbo, spirit of the Amazon, by Tunche Films from Peru represented by CMG (whose recent acquisitions include the Oscar-winning film ‘Loving Vincent’).
The agreement between both companies was signed after the participation of Tunche Films in Animation! 2016 where Edward Noeltner, CEO of CMG, was pitched the project.
In this section were also presented the feature films Bob Cuspe – Nós Não Gostamos de Gente / Bob Spit – We do not like people (Coala Filmes, Brazil), El Patalarga / The Longleg (Eucalyptus animación – Findling, Argentina) and Un disfraz para Nicolás / A costume for Nicolas (Fotosíntesis Media, Mexico).