A whole section of MIA, the International Audiovisual Market, which opened today in Rome, was dedicated to the world of European and Italian animation. The events of the day, promoted and supported by the Roma Lazio Film Commission, were organised in collaboration with Cartoon Italia. The day was focused on the theme of “Animation is a Language”.
Lucia Milazzotto, director of MIA, highlighted that “Understanding and exploring animation, along with its language and business models, is an important strategic passage for all sectors of the audiovisual industry. A transmedia and transnational paradigm which is open to the whole world and to all types of cinema and audiovisual content.” “Animation is one of the genres which is most enjoyed by audiences in Italy, and yet most of the animation on offer comes from abroad”, says Lucky Red’s Andrea Occhipinti. “The time has come for Italy to invest in animation production”. Economic support for the world of animation is important to the Lazio Region, as explained Luciano Sovena, President of the Roma Lazio Film Commission in anticipation of tomorrow’s announcement: “With the second edition of Lazio Cinema International, which will be announced by Zingaretti tomorrow, there will be a further increase in the animation projects with co-production status.”
Amongst the number of Italian and international producers who participated in the MIA Animation Day Special Programme, were Maia Tubiana from Elipseanime, Eleonore Coleman from Indie Sales, Cristophe Jankovic from Prima linea and Luciano Stella from Mad Entertainment, an EFA winner for “L’Arte della Felicità”.
In the afternoon the Animation Day concentrated on European animation with the presentation of the new “European Animation Emile Awards”. Didier Brunner, four-time Oscar nominee and founder of the production company Folvari, explained: “The inspiration for the European Animation Emile Awards came from a need for a new award ceremony in Europe dedicated to the artists and technicians who work in the animation industry”. Eric Goosens, producer and co-founder of the production company Walking the Dog, underlined the fact that “The European Animation Emile Awards weren’t set up to try and enter into competition with American award ceremonies but rather to further concentrate on what is happening in Europe”
Also, exclusively announced today was the creation of the European Association of Animation Producers, in which Italy will be represented by the newly elected vice-president, Anne-Sophie Vanhollebeke, who is also president of Cartoon Italia.
Participating in the talk “China: Technology, Money, Social Media and Audiences” were Jeffrey Chan (CEO and Board Member of the Bona Film Group) and Isabelle Glachant (CEO of Asian Shadows).
From the discussion it emerged that China is developing the most sophisticated video streaming system in the world, to sustain a market where streaming and smartphone app companies have taken over from television, which is generally perceived as being controlled, repetitive and obsolete. The richest men in China do everything to be named in the opening credits of films, where they can pair up with up to 30 producers who haven’t really produced the film but are rather investors.
