First Time in the Central and Eastern European Region – Visegrad Animation Forum Gives Space to Projects of Animated Feature Films in Development
The sixth year of the international Visegrad Animation Forum for film professionals will take place on 1st – 3rd May. As a tradition, it will be centred on a pitching competition of animated projects now in development in two categories – short films and series / TV specials. This year’s novelty is a pitching competition of upcoming animated feature films. It is organised by the Visegrad Animation Forum in cooperation with the Anifilm Festival and the newly established CEE Animation platform. This will be the first time in history that the region of Central and Eastern Europe will see a presentation of feature films that are still in development. Feature film is a distinguished discipline in animation. Such production ventures require courage, patience, and a great deal of energy. That’s why animated feature films are often eagerly awaited. Last year’s animation sensation – again from the CEE region – was Loving Vincent (dir. Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman, POL), which has circled the world, broken box office records and collected a number of prestigious awards – including the European Film Award or a Golden Globe nomination. At the beginning of 2018, Jan Švankmajer, a strong name in Czech animation, introduced his […] ...
Animarket, the Only CEE Job Market
Are you looking for a job in the animation industry? Are you looking for skilled animators and developers? Animarket is just the thing for you. It will take place on 4th May 2018 in Třeboň as a part of the Anifilm festival. It is a job fair for CEE studios and schools focusing on animation, VFX, game development and VR/AR. Animarket is a follow-up to last year’s successful business Business Bistro and its aim is to help students and graduates in finding work in creative industries with natural emphasis on animation. It is organised as an exhibition of individual subjects and presents a unique opportunity to present yourself and help to develop the job market. Studios, schools and institutions can register here. If you have any questions, please contact the coordinator of the event: miroslava.janicatova@anifilm.cz. Program: http://www.anifilm.cz/cs/animarket/ For members of the Association of Czech Animation Film the FEE is FREE, instead of CZK 2,000. ...
The Emile Awards Ceremony honours the best European animated films; Czechs not in the final
More than a thousand guests watched the ceremony of the first year of the Emile European Animation Awards in Lille, France on the 8th of December 2017. This extraordinary event was attended by the top names in contemporary European animation – especially those from Western Europe. Czech films were represented in the audience by member of the Association of Animated Films Libor Nemeškal. However, none of our favourites were shortlisted. A total of sixteen awards were presented in various categories. The award for best feature film was received by Claude Barras for his film “My Life as a Zucchini” (“Ma vie de Courgette“). Other significant works of European animation did not leave the ceremony empty-handed either, for instance: “Red Turtle” (La Tortue Rogue, dir.: Michael Dudok de Wit) won the awards for best character animation and best storyboard. The star of the TV series category was the special Revolting Rhymes (dir.: Jan Lachauer, Jakob Schuh); The Amazing World of Gumball received one award as well as the fifth series of the popular children’s show Shaun the Sheep. Richards Williams gained special recognition and a standing ovation when presented with the Lotte Reiniger Lifetime Achievement Award by Christophe Erbess, host of […] ...
Seminar on animation distribution to raise Czech films’ chances abroad
The importance and potential of distribution in the era of digitalisation will be the focus of a seminar organised by the Association of Czech Animation Film on 1 February 2018. It will present trends in animation content, models of cooperation between producers and distributors, the future of television and digital broadcasting and the prerequisites for global distribution. It will also offer insights into what type of content distributors tend to be interested in and, for instance, what European feature films need to do to succeed on international markets. The seminar is intended for specialists such as independent producers, artists and representatives of selected distribution and television companies from home and abroad. Participants will acquire know-how with regard to current trends, challenges and opportunities in the distribution of animated works. Distribution represents the deciding factor as regards the further direction of Czech animation and bears a fundamental influence on the development of story ideas and screenplays. Alongside traditional channels of distribution, such as cinema and television, a range of new distribution channels and end digital devices are developing at a rapid tempo. Being aware of them enables Czech producers to become involved in foreign co-productions and can boost their chances of […] ...
Animation film producers from Central and Eastern Europe signed the Ljubljana Accord
A new initiative under the name CEE Animation Workshop brought together twenty-four independent producers of animated films from sixteen Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries. They came to Ljubljana to network, consult, learn and share their producing experience. Throughout the workshop, all participants discussed the current situation in animation and identified potential common steps to encourage and support the growth of the animation industry. These steps and strategies have been summarised in a document signed by all participants, namely The Ljubljana Accord. This year, the European Commission developed the Animation Plan For Europe, published in September 2017, which aims to invigorate the animation industry in the entire EU. Independent producers from the CEE countries, for the past few years gathering at the Visegrad Animation Forum, share the view that steps for the future need to be defined by a common voice that would represent the specificities of the CEE region more accurately. The CEE Animation Workshop has brought producers from the CEE countries together for the first time. The degree of importance of this event was immediately recognized even by Creative Europe Desks – MEDIA offices. “CEDs from a total of nineteen countries agreed to pull their forces together, which is a clear […] ...
Visegrad Animation Forum announces call for submissions for its 6th edition
The VAF Třeboň (May 1 – 3, 2018, Czech Republic) is the leading pitching event for animated film in the Central and Eastern Europe. As each year, animated projects in development compete in two categories: Short Films (single film less than 20 minutes long) and Series / TV Specials (web and TV series of any format and single films over 20 min.). Within the pitching preparation, the participants will get a unique opportunity for in-depth consultation with experienced film professionals on their story concept, project development, financial plan, market or festival strategy, possible coproduction workflow separation etc. The winners in both categories receive a traditional financial support of EUR 2,000 for further development. Besides this, the winning TV Series project gains direct access to Cartoon Forum 2018. The collaboration between the VAF and the world respected association CARTOON is extending. For the first time, a pitch for animated feature films will be organized. In this pilot edition, five VAF board members will choose the best project from their country (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia). After being pitched to different European distributors, 1:1 meetings with key representatives of the animation industry will be followed. The most promising project shall […] ...
ANIFILM 2018 – SUBMIT YOUR ANIMATION NOW
Anifilm, International Festival of Animated Films, Trebon 2018 is announcing CALL FOR ENTRIES! Next edition of Anifilm is taking place in Třeboň (Czech Rep.) from the 1st to 6th May, 2018. Right now festival opens submissions for your animated films, music and abstract videos and newly for independent computer games! If you have not competed in Anifilm previous editions, do not hesitate to submit your creations finished after 1st January 2017 to one of the following categories of international competition: Feature Film: – Film for Grown-Ups – Film for Children Short Film Student Film Music Video Abstract and Non-narrative Animation Independent Computer Games – Visual Art – Game for Children Please register your film or game by filling in the online form at vp.eventival.eu/anifilm/2018. If you have not submitted any movie before your first step will be registration. There is no fee for applicants. We would be honoured by accepting your application. You can complete it by 15th January 2018 when deadline for submissions is set. For more information about the festival, festival statutes and competition rules, please check out the festival’s official website at www.anifilm.cz. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time on program@anifilm.cz. ...
Animated Film Producers From Central And Eastern Europe Building Stronger Network
From December 2 to 6, 2017, the Animateka International Animated Film Festival in Ljubljana will host a dynamic workshop tailor-made for animated film producers from Central and Eastern Europe. It will bring together 30 professionals from up to 18 countries and work with them to build a stronger and more knowledgeable regional network of co-producers, artists, planners, marketers, sellers and financing partners. The workshop will include meetings, discussions, pitching, lobbying efforts and high quality, high-end training to enable and inspire CEE companies to work together with more resources. At the workshop, a jointly approved, considered message to all of our funders and broadcasters will be formulated, requesting more supportive regulations and industry practices. The workshop is an initiative developed by the Creative Europe Desks – MEDIA coming from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Lithuania, Latvia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine and the Visegrad Animation Forum, the pitching and networking platform uniting producers of animated films from the CEE region. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: September 29, 2017 To apply for the CEE Animation Workshop, please fill in the application form and send the required materials. Website of the workshop: http://ceeanimation.eu/ ...
“SIMPLY SHORT”: Central Europe’s best short animated films, or Animation – Certainly not for kids…
The title “Simply short” will cover the selection of the most interesting short animated films by promising young filmmakers from Central and Eastern Europe to hit the cinemas on September 21, 2017. It represents the contemporary works from the last two years, including abstract experiment as well as the Happy End black comedy from last year’s Oscar nomination shortlist. A collage of a total runtime of 69 minutes consists of 11 short films from 6 countries: beside two “domestic” representatives, from Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. The Czech films are the aforementioned Happy End by FAMU graduate, director, scriptwriter and cameramen, Jan Saska, as well as a visually creative film called “More I Know”. With respect to the serious themes and focus on abstract art, the compilation is intended primarily for adults who wish to discover the works by Central Europe’s most talented students, graduates and junior artists. “Short independent animation presented by our selection is thriving in Central and Eastern Europe, making it an equal partner for the rest of the world. Our countries boast a multitude of legendary artists and emerging talents with a promise of successful career. In this case, the situation differs greatly from […] ...
Aurel Klimt crowdfunds his animated feature Laika
Those who are familiar with the work of Aurel Klimt, one of Czech Republic’s most respected animators and directors, know that there aren’t that many people who can – like himself – be considered true followers of the tradition of Czech puppetry and animation, established by Jiří Trnka and continued by the likes of Břetislav Pojar. Over the course of the last decade, he’s been working tirelessly on something truly remarkable – a 90-minute (!) hand-animated film about the adventures of Laika, the first space explorer. Out of all people, it’s creators like you who know best how difficult it is to secure proper funding for something as ambitious as an animated feature and Laika is no exception. Right now, it’s finally nearing completion, but with one last major obstacle in the way – after the arduous and lengthy production, there is not enough funds for post-production. Now you can support Aurel Klimt and help him finish his decade’s worth of hard work through his Kickstarter campaign that has just launched. And even if you don’t plan on supporting Laika, we urge you to take a look at the campaign. If nothing else, the sheer artistry and wit of Klimt’s […] ...
