The first edition will run October 20-22 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theater in Hollywood (Mann’s Chinese Theater) with a showcase of 20 programs including feature films in competition, special presentations, retrospectives and short film programs.
GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world’s leading animation Festival and Market, and Variety magazine, have announced the launch of ANIMATION IS FILM, an annual animation film festival in Los Angeles.
ANIMATION IS FILM aims to fill a gap in the US market by establishing a world class animation festival on par with the major events in Europe and Asia – and locating it in the world capital of animated filmmaking. The Festival will be a vocal advocate, in the heart of Hollywood, for excellence in animation, and for filmmakers who push the boundaries of their art to the fullest range of expression that the medium is capable of.
The mission of the Festival is to:
- Present a highly selective, annual showcase of the best new works of animation from around the world, with programs for both adults and families.
- Champion and support filmmakers who use animation to pursue unique cinematic visions and who are unconstrained by conventional notions of what animation is capable of.
- Champion and support women filmmakers.
- Champion and support filmmakers from a wide range of cultural, economic, national and geographic backgrounds.
- Support communication, understanding and positivity in the world.
The Festival Organizing Committee includes: Eric Beckman – Founder and CEO, GKIDS, Co-founder, New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival; Patrick Eveno – CEO, CITIA – Annecy International Animation Film Festival; Mickaël Marin – CITIA Managing Director, Head of Economic Development & Mifa; Marcel Jean – Artistic Director, Annecy International Animation Film Festival; Michelle Sobrino-Stearns – Group Publisher, Variety; Steven Gaydos – Executive Editor, Variety; Peter Debruge – Chief Film Critic, Variety; Fumi Kitahara – Chair of Publicity, Women in Animation.
Of the Festival, GKIDS Founder and CEO Eric Beckman said, “Creating a stateside film festival that recognizes the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form has long been a dream of GKIDS. We are thrilled that Annecy and Variety have partnered with us to launch Animation Is Film and bring exceptional animated filmmaking from around the world to audiences in Los Angeles, the world capital of filmmaking. We look forward to working with an expanding group of partners and supporters to grow the festival over the coming years.“
“The Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market are excited to be working together with Variety and GKIDS to create Animation Is Film. This new event is a wonderful opportunity to radiate animation and all its diversity in the heart of Hollywood and is a very important step in our strategy to expand abroad. The festival is another occasion, following Annecy Goes to Cannes and the creation of the Annecy Asia International Animated Film Festival in Seoul, to promote films and artists from all over the world to an even wider audience.” Patrick Eveno, CITIA CEO
“We are honored to partner with GKIDS and Annecy to bring the best of animated films to Los Angeles through the launch of Animation Is Film,” said Variety Group Publisher and CRO, Michelle Sobrino-Stearns. “The festival will be a champion of excellence in animation, an exciting audience event, and a significant new addition to the cultural landscape of Los Angeles.“
