Who is ASIFA?

Annecy, France: 1960 ~ A group of internationally renowned animation artists gather to explore ideas about a sophisticated support structure for the Fine Art of Animated Filmmaking. The meeting ends with a profound committment. Pooling resources and dreams, they put into motion an organization with far-reaching consequences. In Annecy, they give birth to the Association International du Film d'Animation (ASIFA), and launch major competitive film festivals for Animators.

(Canadian History note: Amongst these pioneers worked an innovative Canadian animator, Norman McLaren, a leader also in avante garde film experiments at the NFB.)

From the start, ASIFA attracts exceptional patronage, friends, devoted guardians, volunteers, and tremendous support from the world's most accomplished animators. Now, just a few years shy of ASIFA's fiftieth anniversary, we celebrate the Annecy International Animation Festival as one of our most beloved exhibitions and a prestigious competition for animators.

What makes "ASIFA listed festivals" different from the others on our list?

You may read the answer to this question on ASIFA's website, where they state their guidelines for partnership in festival promotion.

IMHO: The high standard maintained, year after year, at ASIFA events generates exciting traditions, much enjoyed and anticipated by sojourning filmmakers. A Vancouver film student weighs coin carefully before tripping overseas for two weeks. When attendence means sacrifice, filmmakers want to know what to expect when they arrive. ASIFA endorsed festivals keep a consistantly high level of professionalism, with appropriate checks and balances.

ASIFA volunteers demonstrate rare generosity in a "me first" world. Pleasant entertainment for travelling guests requires the labour of many hands, hidden hands, sharing love from the hearts of true heroes!

Since the 60's, many other film festivals emerge independently, each offering their regional flavours, colours, and sensations. Some of these festivals share common values and reciprocate support with ASIFA. You may find such festivals listed on the ASIFA website.

In our alphabetical listing of FESTIVALS, you will find the festivals which are mentioned on ASIFA's website indicated by animated globes. (Scroll up to see the FESTIVAL CODE on top of this page.)

We publish this information for historical reference. Please note, the CODE in no way attempts to rate or demean other worthy festivals! The festival list is an ongoing work in progress, and we invite you to contribute: your festival stories, comments, and youtube links. Any omissions we've made merely reflect the nature of incompletion.

Some festivals afford very grand displays, others more humble. Some festivals are new and developing. Whether grassroots or the Ritz, each festival mediates precious events: juggling between businesses, artists, their peers, and their fans.

Historical Events & Good Fellowship.

Some of us who lived through the era of hand-made films, with Cartoon Color dribbling on our desks and carpets, remember filmmaking without computers, fax machines or cell phones.

In those days, before the bloom of animation schools in Canada, animators apprenticed or taught themselves the craft. The critical role of festivals, then as now, never changes: festivals provide animators with key opportunities for advanced technical exchange; artistic awe and wonder; business arrangements; celebration of achievement; and most important of all ~ amazing fellowship, uncommon anywhere else.

Such deep social stimulus triggers imaginative processes and the muse amongst artists. Festivals forge lifelong friendships, and help shape the form of careers. Add to all the above the sheer fun of retreat and immersion into foreign cultures. We glean legendary rewards and riches through the gathering of emerging artists and Masters.

Thank you, ASIFA!