The UK Pavilion was brought to life by Animation UK and supported by the British Film Institute, the Department for Business and Trade, Film London, Creative Wales, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.
Animation UK returned to Annecy, France, from 11-14 June to host the UK Pavilion, “Animation UK: Creating New Worlds”. The stand was organised by Animation UK and powered by the British Film Institute, with National Lottery funding. Additional support was provided by the Department for Business and Trade, Film London, Creative Wales, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.
In the heart of MIFA, the UK Pavilion proved to be a key hub for delegates, with more UK animation companies than ever visiting, hosting meetings and networking, amidst the panels that showcased some of the achievements of our sector over the past year. This was not just a gathering, but an overarching celebration of the UK’s animation prowess.
Reflecting our broad geographical base, representatives from Wales, Scotland, Film London, as well as the BFI (the UK Global Screen Fund and the BFI Certification Unit) and the DBT attended event, each highlighting their regions and organisations. The UK Pavilion proved its value, hosting over 241 scheduled meetings and countless impromptu walk-ins.
The past year has seen our animation industry produce beautiful features, funny and smart TV series, and captivating short films, all of which have cemented the UK’s reputation for world-class creativity, technological excellence, and storytelling. With the recent boosts in tax credits fuelling the industry, the UK animation sector’s appeal and strength were felt throughout the week-long event.
A total of fifteen UK productions were shortlisted at this year’s Annecy Festival, with two projects from the UK taking home awards. Congratulations to [s] (dir. Mario Radev) for winning the Jean-Luc Xiberras Award for a First Film in the Short Films category, and Pictoplasma “Opener 2023” (dir. Will Anderson) for winning the Cristal for a Commissioned Film in the TV and commissioned films category. See the full list of this year’s winners here, and the full list of the shortlisted UK projects at the end of the recap.
To start off the week, Kate O’Connor, Animation UK’s Executive Chair, participated in the 8th Annual WIA World Summit. The topic of the panel “Harnessing New Business Models to Navigate Animation’s Future” was to explore the industry’s evolving business models and how these models can be leveraged to attain gender justice in animation. If you missed it, watch the recorded session here.
During the week, on behalf of Animation UK, Kate held meetings with representatives from a range of other countries and markets to establish stronger strategic partnerships. These included: Malaysia, India, Ireland, India, Animation In Europe and others.
On Tuesday, Animation UK hosted our own reception at the stand, where more than 130 UK delegates registered, with many more MIFA attendees turning up on the day. With the drinks and conversations flowing, the evening saw both new and familiar faces, united in celebrating the UK animation sector.
On Wednesday, Animation UK hosted a special Meet & Greet session with Locksmith Animation. The company’s top execs and key creatives from the upcoming Netflix/Locksmith release That Christmas, including director Simon Otto and writer/executive producer Richard Curtis, mingled with MIFA attendees on our sunny terrace to chat about their film, and had productive discussions on topical issues in the UK animation sector. Thanks to the Locksmith team for the great conversations and for their time!
On top of our own events, the week was packed with other activities, with Animation UK attending events such as Blue Zoo’s reception at the UK Pavilion. This reception celebrated the launch of Mojo Swoptops, the brand new CG-animated comedy action preschool series from the animation studio and Tararaboom, which is set to premiere on CBeebies this autumn.
Other events included receptions hosted by Magic Light Pictures, Netflix, DNEG Animation, Festivus, Animation Scotland, Locksmith Animation and Passion Pictures.
We would like to thank all of our partners, sponsors and members for their support, and also extend our thanks to the MIFA team and our fellow delegates for hosting such a wonderful week. We look forward to seeing you all again from 8-14 June at Annecy next year!
UK films in competition at Annecy 2024
Short Films
[s] – WINNER
- Directed by Mario RADEV
- Produced by Mario RADEV
Graduation Films
Adiós
- Directed by José PRATS
- Produced by NFTS – NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL, Bernardo ANGELETTI
I Wanna Be a Statue
- Directed by Harvey AUERBACH-DUNN
- Produced by RCA – ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART, Harvey AUERBACH-DUNN
Minus Plus Multiply
- Directed by Chu-Chieh LEE
- Produced by RCA – ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART, Chu-Chieh LEE
To the Brink
- Directed by Hugo DOCKING
- Produced by UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND, Julia BRACEGIRDLE
TV films
A Bear Named Wojtek
- Directed by Iain GARDNER
- Produced by THE ILLUMINATED FILMS COMPANY, Iain HARVEY, FILMOGRAF LTD, Wlodzimierz MATUSZEWSKI
Pip and Posy Let’s Learn “All About Butterflies”
- Directed by Leigh FIELDHOUSE, Joanna HEPWORTH
- Produced by MAGIC LIGHT PICTURES, Vici KING
Tabby McTat
- Directed by Sarah SCRIMGEOUR, Jac HAMMAN
- Produced by MAGIC LIGHT PICTURES, Barney GOODLAND, MAGIC LIGHT PICTURES, Michael ROSE
The Very Small Creatures “The Farm”
- Directed by Lucy IZZARD
- Produced by AARDMAN, Robert FRANKLIN
Commissioned Films
Alzheimer’s Research UK “Change the Ending”
- Directed by AGAINSTALLODDS
- Produced by PASSION PICTURES, Matt SAXTON
Federal Ministry – BMK “The Madhouse”
- Directed by Nella ADDY, Rogan VAN DEN BERG, Ross COOPER
- Produced by FERAL CHILD, Nella ADDY, Rogan VAN DEN BERG, PPM NEXT, Sebastian LARROSA-LOMBARDI, Olga NEPOMENKO, Anna TEUFNER
Pictoplasma “Opener 2023” – WINNER
- Directed by Will ANDERSON
- Produced by Will ANDERSON
The Lords of Water “Launch Film”
- Directed by Ingi ERLINGSSON, Stefan FALCONER, Charles BIGEAST
- Produced by GOLDEN WOLF, Dotti SINNOTT, GOLDEN WOLF, Tan JONES, GOLDEN WOLF, Heidi STEPHENSON
We Campaign Because They Can’t
- Directed by Dane WINN
- Produced by BLUE ZOO ANIMATION STUDIO, Damian HOOK, BLUE ZOO ANIMATION STUDIO, Tom BOX
WWF “Up in Smoke”
- Directed by Yannis KONSTANTINIDIS
- Produced by NOMINT MOTIONDESIGN, Marilena VATSERI
