Annecy focuses on Ireland

by Naman Ramachandran

05/06/2012 - The big hitters of the Irish animation industry are attending the Annecy International Animation Festival (June 6 – 11) and market (MIFA, June 6-8) as the festival is celebrating Ireland with several screenings and events. Along with the special Irish focus two Irish projects The Last Train by Alex Sherwood, Ben Harper and Sean Mullen and A Different Perspective by Chris O’Hara are in official competition. Oscar nominees Cartoon Saloon and Brown Bag Films will be attending along with other Irish animation companies including Kavaleer, JAM Media, Boulder, Keg Kartoonz, Telegael, Dancing Girl Productions, Monster Entertainment and Monster Animation.

Christophe Erbes will moderate an animation industry panel ‘Ireland Presents.... Co-Producing Opportunities with Ireland’ which will feature James Hickey (Irish Film Board), Cathal Gaffney (Brown Bag Films), Paul Young (Cartoon Saloon) and John Rice (JAM Media). Oscar nominated director Tomm Moore will deliver a keynote speech to the sector at an Irish networking event while his film The Secret of Kells [trailer, film focus] will screen and a selection of his work will be showcased in a special exhibition of artwork during the festival.

In addition, four special programmes of Irish animated shorts will screen at the festival. The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland will round off the events celebrating the festival’s tribute to Ireland with a special event to celebrate Irish directors at the festival. The Ambassador of Ireland to France, Paul Kavanagh, will attend all these events.