The Association of Turkic Animation (ATA) and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) were represented with a joint stand at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival's MIFA market, held in Annecy, France, from June 9-15.
ATA’s delegation to Annecy and MIFA market consisted of ATA chairperson Oktai Iusibov (Azerbaijan) and ATA’ working group Anita Chernykh (Kazakhstan), Rashid Aghamaliyev (Azerbaijan) and Serdar Durdiyyev (Turkmenistan).
Also, Azerbaijan Animation Association members attended Annecy festival and MIFA market: Elchin Hami Akhundov, Nazrin Agamaliyeva (ANIMAFILM Studio) and Shahin Aliyev (Dynamic Box).
4” catalog was also among the products displayed at the stand. You can download the catalog from here.
It should be noted that this project is being carried out within the framework of the “Creative Azerbaijan” program for the development of the creative industry, supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY), with additional support from the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan.
Oktai Iusibov (Chairperson of ATA): “Annecy festival and MIFA market is a place where leading professionals of the animation industry meet: producers, directors, distributors, and many others. The atmosphere was incredibly dynamic, filled with energy and opportunities to establish new contacts with influential industry representatives, discuss new projects, and learn about the latest trends and technologies in animation. Participation in MIFA helped us present our studios' projects to a wide audience and find potential partners for future projects. Overall, MIFA in Annecy became an important event for ATA. We made our debut as a united front, and moreover, we agreed with industry experts that we would be able to prepare our projects for evaluation from a sales perspective for the global market. I believe in success because new ideas and a fresh perspective, which characterize our culture, can enrich global animation with unique stories.”
Rashid Aghamaliyev (Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Animation Association): "I first participated in the Annecy Festival in 2018 and set a goal for myself that we would return with a larger team. In 2020, we established an official collaboration with the Annecy Festival, which has allowed the winners of our ANIMAFILM festival to participate here every year. In 2022 and 2023, Azerbaijani animated films participated in the Annecy Festival's competition program for the first time. This time, we achieved a new major success – we represented Azerbaijan and other Turkic countries at the MIFA market. This marks a new stage for the animation industry of Azerbaijan and the entire Turkic world."
Anita Chernykh (CEO of ReAnimation Studio, Kazakhstan): "The festival left a wonderful impression! Being surrounded by such a large number of projects from around the world makes our strengths more noticeable, as well as the aspects in which the animation of our countries still needs development and growth. And, of course, it brings inspiration and energy to realize new ideas."
Serdar Durdiyyev (CEO of MenzilMekan Animation, Turkmenistan): “Participating as an exhibitor at MIFA marked a significant milestone for ATA in its launch year. Our aim is to broaden the horizons of Turkic animation. Personally, I have gained valuable experience from the festival and benefited from networking opportunities within the animation industry.”