The MIFA breaks records again with a 2 percent rise in accreditations and over 500 exhibiting companies, a 13 percent increase and an all-time high since the International Animation Film Market’s creation in 1985.
Annecy -- The International Animation Film Market (MIFA), held June 11-13, just wrapped, once again securing its position as world leader, as well as confirming its role as the benchmark exchange platform for the animation industry. It attracted newcomers, like exhibitors from Malaysia, and reinforced participation from countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic and South Africa.
There was an increase in attendance and a record number of exhibitors, largely due to an upswing in international presence, notably from countries like India, China and the U.S., along with a 4 percent rise from French industry professionals.
Another upward trend could be seen from American studios and broadcasters like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Disney Channel who are reinforcing their presence at the Festival and MIFA.
The MIFA in a few figures:
- Over 60 countries represented
- 513 exhibiting companies (a 13 percent increase compared to 2013)
- 2,450 delegates (2 percent higher than 2013)
Animation stakeholders united together in one place
The MIFA is made up of three intense days, punctuated by meetings like the Share With and Territory Focus sessions, Pitches and panel discussions where industry professionals are able to meet up, share ideas, finalize projects, find funding and network to create future working partnerships. 334 buyers, distributors and investors – a number essentially identical to last year – sampled the Market’s wares, while major European and global investors, including CANAL+, Cartoon Network, France Télévisions, Disney Channel and the BBC, along with broadcasters like Nickelodeon, Disney, Pixar and Cartoon Network, were also in attendance.
The recruitment sessions were once again an exclusive occasion for recruiters to look for talents and candidates to present work to visiting studios like Disney, LAIKA, Sony Pictures Animation, Rovio and Illumination Mac Guff.
The conferences, organized around the three topics of Business, Creation and Production Organization, presented an analysis of the sector, the challenges it is facing and future developments. In particular, the VFX conference attracted a large crowd, with fascinating presentations from speakers including Catherine Mullan and Ferran Domenech Guttierrez from MPC Canada, who had worked on the VFX on Maleficent, X-Men and Godzilla. The Business conference, "The Role of the Web in Diffusing Short Animated Films" also generated great interest.
For the first time, the MIFA played host to the Kids Animation category semi-final of the International Emmy Awards (in partnership with the Commission du Film d’Île-de-France), in anticipation of the final, set to take place on November 25 in New York.
Even in a struggling economy, MIFA’s success did not falter!
Broadcasters in attendance
The MIFA gave French channels (CANAL+ youth channels, France Télévisions, Lagardère Active, TF1) the opportunity to present producers and journalists their latest animation acquisitions and editorial policy, along with the new season’s programming.
In particular, France Télévisions announced over 3,200 hours of programs devoted to animation to be shown on France 4 in 2014.
During a panel discussion, the CNC, uniFrance Films and TV France International presented French animation figures in France and abroad, explaining that home-grown productions had attracted some 2.5 million viewers in 2013.
This year’s event was a great success and is already announcing a landmark edition for 2015 with the 30th anniversary of the Market. MIFA’s Head, Mickaël Marin promises an exceptional program that will continue the Market’s internationalization policy to attract even more major personalities from all over the world.
See you next year June 17-17, 2015!
Source: Annecy International Animation Film Festival
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
