The Annecy International Animated Film Festival (AIAFF) was founded in the late 1950s as the International Days of Animated Cinema (Journées internationales du cinéma d’animation). It officially became a competitive film festival in 1960. AIAFF is one of four international animated film festivals sponsored by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) alongside with Animafest Zagreb (Croatia), the Hiroshima International Animation Festival (Japan), and the Ottawa International Animated Film Festival (Canada).
AIAFF hosts a film competition with several categories including Feature Films, Short Films, TV and Commissioned Films, and Graduation Films (Student Films). Each category has its own jury. Besides, there are special juries that present special prizes such as André-Martin Award for French Film, FIPRESCI Award, Junior Jury Award, CANAL + Creative Aid Award, Best Original Music Award, Festivals Connexion Award, Gan Foundation Award for Distribution, and others.
Alongside the official selection, the program of the festival features screening events (such as sneak previews of upcoming features and short films), special programs, free open-air screenings, conferences and workshops featuring seasoned industry professionals, press conferences, exhibitions, autograph sessions, and other events and activities for industry professionals and the general public alike.
The Annecy International Animated Film Festival also hosts Mifa, a film market for industry professionals which gives filmmakers a chance to meet buyers, distributors and decision makers and pitch their animation products.
Each edition of AIAFF features a Guest Country whose animation is put into focus during event. The festival offers special programming designed to pay tribute to the Guest Country’s animation. It includes retrospectives, tributes and other special screenings, exhibitions, panels and meetings with guest animators and filmmakers, and more.
In 2020, the event was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo: DeborahForsans
