Europe’s best to deliver lectures at animation distribution seminar
Among the confirmed speakers at a seminar being organised by the ASAF in three weeks’ time – on 1.2.2018 – are leading experts in the field of distribution of animated content in the EU. Participants in the seminar will therefore enjoy a unique opportunity to get insights into the strategy of a company that has won Distributor of the Year awards for a series and a feature film at Cartoon Forum and Cartoon Movie. The first speaker is television producer Tom Van Waveren, a three-time Emmy nominee. He is the CEO and creative director of CAKE Entertainment, chairman of Animation Producers Netherlands and deputy chairman of Animation in Europe, where he works to improve support for the development of the European animation industry. One example of his work is the distribution strategy of the series Angry Birds. Paris-based US producer Eleanor Coleman, of the company Indie Sales (Best European Distributor at Cartoon Movie 2015), will discuss her experience of distributing the hit animated film My Life as a Zucchini. Also sharing his experiences will be the French producer Lionel Marty, who specialises in animation for children at the distribution company APC Kids and is the recipient of numerous international awards: […] ...
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 […] ...
Line-up of the Visegrad Animation Forum 2017 Unveiled
The fifth edition of the VAF Trebon, a key industry meeting for animation professionals mainly from CEE region, takes place in Trebon, Czech Republic, May 2-4, 2017. Even if the pitching competition is open to all European animated projects in development, this edition is specific for high number of submitted works from the Central and Eastern Europe (Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia). The guarantee of the quality is indicated by well-known animation professionals in both categories: Jan Saska (CZ), one of 10 finalists for an Academy Award nomination in the Best Animated Short Film category will pitch his new short Hurikán and Katarina Kerekesova (SK) will present her upcoming Christmas TV special which follows a very successful series Mimi & Lisa. The list of all selected projects can be found here. The VAF Trebon supports filmmakers while helping them to develop their projects with experienced international professionals. In order to prepare a public pitching session, several preparation workshops for the authors and producers are planned. Last year saw a truly historic feat. Within the framework of the VAF Trebon 2016, a meeting of the heads of the national film funds from the Visegrad + countries […] ...
Mapping out the Animation Industry in the Czech Republic Has Shown the Great Potential of Czech Animation, but also Points to its Weaknesses
As a result of a survey lasting over one year, the “Mapping out the Animation Industry in the Czech Republic” report is now being published, and sums up the outcome of a detailed questionnaire survey carried out among dozens of animation studios, school representatives, and individual independent authors. The study performed in cooperation with the Creative Europe – MEDIA office is the first complex description of the state of the animation industry in the Czech Republic since 1990. On Monday, March 20th, a public presentation of the main outputs took place, including an expert debate and press conference. About seventy people active in the field took part (studio representatives, freelancers and animation students), involving representatives of the Czech Ministry of Culture; Czech Television; the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague; the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague; the Film Academy of Miroslav Ondříček in Písek; the Czech Film Center, and other institutions and journalists. The survey has revealed that animation is a growing industry both in the Czech Republic and abroad. This is reflected in the demand for animated films and series, which has been increasing globally in recent years. In the […] ...
