Women in Animation (WIA) and the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) have announced the delegates for Stories x Women, a new program designed to boost the diversity of voices in animation around the world. According to a press release, “Stories x Women’s concrete goal is to support access to international opportunities for women animators from emerging national film and audio-visual animation communities of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America who want to tell their authentic stories.”
Delegates will receive mentorship from animation experts and personalized coaching sessions that will help them craft pitches for their projects, which they will present at next month’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market. The inaugural delegates are: Haifaa Al Mansour, who will represent Saudi Arabia with her project, “Miss Camel”; Paula Boffo (Argentina, “La Sombra del Altiplano”); Luisa Fernanda Velasquez (Colombia, “Cotton Bottom Town”); Elva Alessandra Arrieta Tabuzo (Peru, “La Carpeta de Greta”); Tshepo P. Maaka and Kabelo Maaka (South Africa, “Rorisang & the Gurlz”); and Aimsinthu Ramasoot and Saraswathi Vani Balgam (Thailand, “Gannu”).
“As the global voice for producers worldwide, FIAPF promotes all forms of film genres, including animation and its universal language,” said President Luis Alberto Scalella. “With Stories x Women, we want to support the work of women animators from regions that are less visible in the international market. FIAPF has been working on diversity and gender equality for more than a decade, launching Stories x Women is an extra step in our collective action.”
“For more than 25 years, WIA has been on the frontline of gender equity in animation, fighting for the empowerment of talented yet underrepresented artists and creatives in the industry, and advocating for a more just and equitable system for our global field,” WIA President Marge Dean commented. “Stories x Women gives these deserving creators the support they need to bring their stories to life. We’re thrilled to be part of such a wonderful initiative that champions our mission of bringing together the global animation community to empower and advocate for people of underrepresented gender identities in all facets of the industry.”
The 2022 Annecy Film Fest will run June 13-18.
