PH delegation joins the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market in France

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) leads the Philippine delegation and hosts the Philippine Pavilion at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Marché International du Film d'Animation (MIFA) in France.

The Philippine Pavilion is a dedicated space for business meetings and networking events to foster collaborations between Filipino delegates and global counterparts.

The FDCP’s FilmPhilippines Office (FPO) is also set to showcase the country’s film incentives that cater to animation projects to international stakeholders.

“Iti Mapukpukaw” at the festival’s Feature Films Contrechamp and “EWA” at MIFA’s Southeast Asia Pitch Carl Joseph Papa’s “Iti Mapukpukaw” (“The Missing”) is in competition at the festival’s Feature Films Contrechamp category. This Filipino-Ilocano rotoscope animated film follows a young man named Eric whose life unravels after the arrival of a familiar alien, which triggers Eric to remember his past and untangle his memories.

“Iti Mapukpukaw” is produced by Project 8 Projects and supported by the FDCP’s CreatePHFilms funding program. It made history as the Philippines’ first animated entry to the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

Keith Sicat’s “EWA” was selected to join the Southeast Asia Pitch where projects in development can find international partners, financiers, or sales agents. Produced by Kino Arts and supported by CreatePHFilms, this animated science fiction film takes place in a future of intergalactic migrant workers, one of whom is an idealistic scientist who struggles to reconnect with her child who is lightyears away.

Featured Filipino projects in development at MIFA 2024

Eight (8) Filipino projects in development are featured at the world’s biggest animation film market for the opportunity to acquire funding and co-production deals. Filipino representatives have the chance to pitch their respective projects and establish connections with their global counterparts.

● AD MEMORIAM

When a rock band suddenly rises to game thanks to a series of deaths, an old detective races against time to save the singer from the clutches of her own demons, figuratively and literally.

Director: Ria Lu

Producers: Leveret Group and Wayfarer Media

● AFTERNOONS WITH LAPU-LAPU

Paula, a third generation Fil-Am teen, must take care of her sick grandfather. However, babysitting Grandpa is not so easy when he thinks he is one of Philippine history’s greatest warrior – Lapu-Lapu.

Director: Marla Rausch

Producers: Kampilan Production, Animation Vertigo Asia, and Puppeteer Studios

● ANITO

Anito is the story of a young boy named Aaren who falls into the mythological spirit world full of fantastical and vicious creatures of Filipino legends. He finds himself lost and haunted by these creatures as he struggles to find his way home.

Director: John Aurthur Mercader

Producer: The Puppeteer Animation Studios, Inc.

● EWA

In a future of intergalactic migrant workers, Ewa is an idealistic scientist forced to take a dangerous job in outer space to provide for your young son’s future. When she is marooned on a hostile world, she struggles to reconnect with her child who is lightyears away.

Director: Keith Sicat

Producer: Kino Arts

● FLAN FLAN

A tiny, rambunctious cat and her stalwart companions are on an epic adventure to defeat the Demon King and bring peace to the land of Fandania - but first they need to learn how to fight.

Director: Karla Circe Consolacion

Producer: Meowsmouse

● LEADER, BORED

Four unlikely friends leap into video game-inspired challenges each morning.

Director: Tobie Abad

Producer: Taktyl Studios

● STEAMPULP SOCIETY

Hughes Hector, boomer billionaire leader of the Steampulp Society, has never feared for the future until he is forced to team up with the younger and unpredictable digital native A.I. recruit, Itzel. Meanwhile, Sheba, an efficient X adventurer with no filter, is stuck in between them. They must find ways to work together and thwart the schemes of the mysterious Megalomind.

Director: Tobie Abad

Producer: Taktyl Studios

● TALES OF HASHEESH

The story follows a 20 year old French man on his journey from Paris to the Middle East, finding the best supplies for his father's struggling business.

Director: Mari Nicole Mendoza

Producers: Half Wolf Entertainment Inc. and Martinii Animation Studio

Participating Filipino animation companies at MIFA

The Philippines is also represented by ten (10) animation companies to introduce Filipino talents, original content, and services to the global film market.

● Animation Vertigo

● Kampilan Productions

● J. Legaspi Computer Graphics

● Kino Arts

● Leveret Group

● Martinii Animation Studio

● Puppeteer Studios

● TeamApp, Inc.

● Toon City

● Top Draw Animation

Government and organization partners at MIFA

The Philippine delegation in Annecy is presented by the FDCP in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and with the support of Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SIKAP) and Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI).

To learn more about the country’s participation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market, follow FDCP’s official pages on Facebook, X, and Instagram.