Members of the Azerbaijan Animation Association participated in the Annecy International Animation Film Festival — the largest animation festival in the world — and the MIFA market held in Annecy, France, from June 8 to 14, the Association told AZERTAC.

“We have been cooperating with the Annecy Festival since 2018. Through this partnership, we have introduced Azerbaijani animation to the world, and enabled winners of the local competition of the ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival to attend the Annecy Festival. In 2023, the animated film ‘Hadis’ competed at Annecy. I consider our collaboration with the Annecy Festival to be strategic for the local film industry,” said Rashid Aghamaliyev, the Association’s chairman.

“This year, the Azerbaijan Animation Association was represented at the Annecy Festival by co-founder and director Nazrin Aghamaliyeva and Association member and ANIMAFILM Festival manager Aydan Kazimzade. Their trip was supported by the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA).

Animation director Zahrakhanim Guluzade also attended the Annecy Festival. Her participation became possible after her film “While Overthinking” won the “Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film” award at the 7th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival. This award is traditionally presented with the support of the ANIMAFILM Festival, the Annecy Festival, the French Embassy in Azerbaijan, and the French Institute,” Rashid Aghamaliyev added.

During the visit, members of the Association met with renowned animation professionals, attended screenings and premieres of various animated films, and held meetings with directors of animation studios, distributors, film funds, and international festivals at the MIFA market. They exchanged ideas for potential future collaborations.