26th Feb 2018
WIA to receive the Mifa Animation Industry Award
The organisation Women in Animation will receive the Mifa Animation Industry Award during the 2018 festival
Created in 2015 for the 30th anniversary of the Annecy International Animation Film Market, this award aims to highlight the people who have contributed to the changes in the animation industry through their achievements, investments and reflections.
For the first time, this year the Mifa Animation Industry Award will be given to an organisation – Women in Animation (WIA).
The Festival decided in 2015 to put women at the top of the bill, with an entirely female jury, the design of the official poster was done by a well-known female artist, and much of the programme was composed of films by female directors. In 2016, Michèle Lemieux created the poster and 7 of the 12 members of the jury were women. As for 2017, Mifa hosted the first Women in Animation World Summit involving the organisations Women in Animation and Les Femmes s’Animent.
It is in this context that the wish to support women who share the same passion has resulted in Women in Animation being chosen this year.
"After the 2015 Festival put the spotlight on women in animation, we are delighted to give this prize to Women in Animation and, through this association, to all organisations who work for the equal status of women in the animation sector. This award is once again a demonstration of Annecy’s engagement to raise awareness and put into practice a real sense of equality within organisations”.
Mickaël Marin, CITIA Managing Director, Head of Economic Development & Mifa
“The Annecy International Animation Film Festival/Mifa is the most important global gathering of the entire animation industry. It is a tremendous honour for Women in Animation (WIA) to be recognized by Annecy for our work in opening the doors of our industry to all people with a focus on diversity, inclusion and belonging. Mifa's continued support of WIA and our Women in Animation World Summit at Annecy have played a key role in our growth and influence as an organisation.”
Marge Dean, President
It will be during the International Animation Film Market, taking place from 12 to 15 June 2018, when the Mifa Animation Industry Award will be given.