MANILA, PHILIPPINES, JANUARY 11, 2021 — Animation projects from the Philippines can have the opportunity to participate in the Mifa (Annecy International Animation Film Market) of Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France through Southeast Asia Focus @ MIFA/Annecy 2021. 

The Southeast Asia Focus @ MIFA/Annecy 2021 aims to offer young and emerging talents the chance to acquire funding, work collaborations, or co-production deals for their projects.

A Call for Projects in the form of Short Films, Feature Films, and TV Series and Specials was issued for applicants from countries where animation is emerging such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The closing of submissions of animation projects is on January 18.

The Project Development Program of the Embassy of France in Singapore, Annecy, and Mifa will enable up to two projects per eligible country to join the Projects Development Workshop in April. Selected projects for the workshop could be given the chance to participate in the Southeast Asia Focus @ MIFA/Annecy in June.

Three French mentors will guide participants in the Projects Development Workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from April 5 to 9. The workshop is supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Malaysian Ministry of Communication and Multimedia.

A follow-up on the projects by professionals will ensue until May. Projects will then have the chance to join the Mifa from June 15 to 18. Annecy, meanwhile, will be held from June 14 to 19.

Submissions must be sent to the Embassy of France in Singapore via e-mail ([email protected]). For inquiries and more information, contact [email protected].

Below are the submission requirements and guidelines: 

SUBMISSION TERMS

SOUTHEAST ASIA FOCUS @ MIFA is open to project leaders from countries where animation is emerging. The work comes from a Call for Projects for short films, feature films, TV series and specials open to countries with limited production capacity.

A creator/animator/filmmaker can send in a project either as a personal/individual piece of work or through a structure set up within his/her country. Only projects with a complete digital file, sent to the French Embassy in Singapore ([email protected]) before 18th January 2021, will be considered.

The digital file must

- be written in English (a French version can additionally be submitted by French speaking candidates only)

- contain all the required documents and respect the regulations (see corresponding requirements)

- respect the regulations for the category concerned

- sent as 1 PDF file only

Registration is free of charge. For any questions, please contact the Embassy of France in Singapore: [email protected]

COMPULSORY SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS

Your digital file must be registered and sent as 1 single PDF file only, not exceeding 50 Mo. Free rein is given for the general presentation as long as all other required documents are in the file.

Short Films

• Only animated short film projects in their first concept phase that will be presented by one (or more) author(s) can be submitted.
• Registering a project must be done on an individual basis by its author(s).
• Only one project per author(s) can be submitted.
• The project presented must not be part of a school syllabus or have been pre-purchased by a TV channel.
• Any project already associated with a producer can be submitted but this must be stipulated. However, a producer cannot submit more than 3 short film projects per year.

Required documents for submitting a short film project:

• Narrative Elements minimum 5 pages, maximum 10 pages

- synopsis (summary of the story)

- statement of intent or description of the project (origin, atmosphere, message, references, etc.): max. 1 page

- a project progress report, explaining the project’s development, eventual contract commitments (include the name of the producer where applicable) and expectations

• Graphic Elements (no length restriction)

- storyboard (full or partial)

- available graphic elements: backgrounds/sets, characters, model sheets, graphic research materials, references, etc.

• Basic Administrative Elements

- CV of the author(s)

- a transfer of rights statement if the topic is taken from a work that already exists

- a signed and dated note confirming that the project has not been pre-purchased by a TV channel

Feature Films

• Only animated feature film projects, in their first concept phase, premiering in Europe and presented by one author and/or executive producers during the Mifa Pitches can be submitted.
• Only one project per author and/or producer can be submitted.
• The project presented must not be part of a school syllabus.

Required documents for submitting a feature film project:

• Narrative Elements minimum 5 pages, maximum 15 pages

- synopsis (summary of the story)

- concept (a detailed plot, objective/intention, target, graphic and musical treatment etc.)

- a project progress sheet (current and future stages, objectives)

- an estimation of the budget and funding requirements

• Graphic Elements (no length restriction)

- available graphic elements: backgrounds/sets, characters, model sheets, etc.

- any artistic or production elements that the project leader(s) think(s) worth including (first images, trailer/teaser etc.)

• Basic Administrative Elements

- CV of the author(s)

- a note explaining the project’s copyright situation (sent to a writer’s association, transfer of rights if topic is taken from a work that already exists)

- a signed and dated note confirming that the project has not already been presented in Europe

TV Series and Specials

• Only animated TV series or specials in development, premiering in Europe and presented by one (or more) author(s) and/or executive producers during the Mifa Pitches can be submitted.
• Registering a project must be done on an individual basis by its author(s) only.
• Only one project per author can be submitted. The project presented must not be part of a school syllabus or have been pre-purchased by a TV channel. Web series projects are also accepted.

Required documents for submitting a TV series or special project:

• Narrative Elements on average between 5 and 10 pages

- project introduction (title and representative image of the project, format, target audience

- synopsis (summary of the story)

- project concept (storyline/detailed plot, aims/intentions, target audience, graphic and musical treatment, etc.)

- intention outline (origin of the project, aims/intentions...)

- episode examples: minimum 3, maximum 6

- outline of the project’s advancement: current phase and forthcoming stages, aims, eventual contracted commitments (mention the name of the producer in this case)

• Graphic Elements (no length restriction)

- available graphic elements: backgrounds/sets, characters, model sheets, etc.

- any artistic or production elements that the project leader(s) think(s) worth including (first images, pilot, etc.)

• Basic Administrative Elements

- CV of the author(s)

- outline of the copyright situation of the project (a transfer of rights statement if the topic is taken from a work that already exists)

- signed and dated note confirming that the project has not already been presented in Europe, or has already been purchased by a television channel

SUITABLE PROJECTS

These Calls for Projects are open to animated short film, feature film, and TV serie projects in development, presented by their authors, and meeting the conditions in Article 1 of these regulations irrespective of:

- techniques used: traditional, 3D, etc.

- target audience

- genre: fiction, documentary, educational, experimental, etc.

- age and nationality of the author(s)

SELECTION, SUPPORT

Only files that are complete and meet the conditions in Articles 1 and 2 of these regulations will be submitted to a jury made up of a member of CITIA and professionals and/or partners of the Festival and Mifa.

Support in the event of project selection

> For the workshop in Kuala Lumpur

- 1 round trip to Kuala Lumpur for each project

- 5 days workshop held by French experts

- Accommodation for 5 nights

> For SOUTHEAST ASIA FOCUS@MIFA in Annecy (one author maximum):

- 1 round trip to Annecy (France)

- 1 free accreditation giving access to all Festival and Mifa events

- accommodation for 3 nights and per diem

Considering the current health situation, the organizers reserve the right to change the terms of the regulations if the workshop or the Annecy Mifa should take any other forms.

PITCHES

• The selected authors can benefit from onsite and/or beforehand support such as: expertise, networking opportunities,and tech rehearsals.
• The selected projects will have double visibility at Mifa 2021:

- one live pitch: 7min maximum presentation (timed presentation), on stage in front of an audience of professionals

- one video pitch: a pre self-recorded filmed presentation for digital broadcasting

• Assistance will be provided ahead of the event.
• The 2 presentation forms will be prepared with the mentors

All selected projects will be promoted through CITIA’s website and all other CITIA communication mediums.

Considering the current health situation, the organizers reserve the right to change the terms of the regulations if the workshop or the Annecy Mifa should take any other forms.

FOLLOW-UP

The selected projects authors agree to make mention of their participation to SOUTHEAST ASIA FOCUS@MIFA 2021 in the film credits and to inform CITIA and the Embassy of France in Singapore of any agreement signed, after the Festival or within the following months, thanks to their project presentation at the Mifa.

AUTHORIZATION TO BROADCAST

By accepting the present regulations, the entrant authorizes CITIA to reproduce and show, for free, graphic and audiovisual elements from the project such as a trailer, teaser or pilot supplied on registration, on all its communication mediums. CITIA will also archive these elements as part of its film conservation project.

NON SPECIFIED CASES

CITIA management will settle any cases not falling within these regulations.

DISPUTES

Participation in these Calls for Projects implies unreserved acceptance to the terms of the present regulations. In case of any claims, the court based near the organiser’s headquarters (Annecy Civil High Court) has sole jurisdiction.