Annecy officially launches its Animation Cinema City 

For nearly 60 years Annecy has hosted the world’s largest festival dedicated to animation, organized by CITIA. In 2018 almost 12,000 professionals and animation enthusiasts, from 90 different countries, have gathered together in Annecy to celebrate animated film. Over the years Annecy has become the number one artistic and professional meeting place.

Following the vote by the Municipal Council at Annecy Town Hall on Monday 12^th November, the Council have officially announced the launch of its Animation Cinema City. This project will provide the world capital of animated film a permanent showcase entirely dedicated to this art form.

An ambitious project sees the light of day: The Haras, an architectural landmark nestled in a haven of green

It is here at the heart of the city, nestled in 2.6 hectares of lush greenery and surrounded by historical architecture, that the project first saw the light of day. The Haras was built in 1885, a contemporary of the birth of cinema. Annecy Town Hall acquired the Haras in 2013, and the transformation of this 19th-century heritage site addresses three specific issues:

• restauration of 6500 m² of the heritage site and the enhancement of its 2.6 hectare parkland;
• opening the site so that it will be a lively and convivial place to meet, notably with the installation of the gourmet market-hall;
• and lastly, the creation of an emblematic venue, unique in Europe, dedicated to the world of animated film.

The creation of an Animation Cinema City, a legitimate choice

Since 1960, by virtue of its Festival, and later its International Animation Film Market, Annecy has become the world’s leading reference in the field of animated film.

Promoting the Moving Image and making it accessible to the widest audience possible throughout the year and for all generations are CITIA’s main objectives. CITIA is a resource and expertise centre in the field of Image and Creative Industries. Since 2006, beyond the June events, CITIA’s initiatives have evolved considerably.

Hence the launch of the Animation Cinema City is a logical outcome for both CITIA and Annecy Town Hall. Six schemes are already in the pipeline:

• A temporary exhibition on an international scale
  
• A permanent exhibition
  
• An artist in residence
  
• A screening room
  
• Areas devoted to the Animation Education
  
• A venue for experimenting with creative animation in all its forms!

An architect’s competition has been launched and the winning team will be selected in Spring 2019. The inauguration of the Animation Cinema City is scheduled for the beginning of 2023.

“To ensure Annecy’s identity in the field of animated film, the Town Hall is implementing an ambitious project for an Animation Cinema City located at the Haras, in an architecturally stunning and green setting.”
Jean-Luc Rigaut, Mayor of the New Annecy Township

“This project will allow the public to discover all forms of creation and innovation, and to even experiment by trying them out. This will symbolize the permanent nature of animated film in Annecy”.
Dominique Puthod, Chairman of CITIA, Delegated Mayor of Annecy