How Catalonia Became One of Europe’s Fastest Growing Animation Hubs
07.06.2024 - 16:57
/ variety.com
Jamie Lang Catalonia‘s animation scene is flourishing thanks to a motivated and well-trained base of artists, generous government backing and early involvement from public broadcasters. One need look no further than this year’s Annecy Animation Festival for proof of the Catalanimation boom.
Titles from the Spanish territory appear in the main competition (“Rock Bottom”), Contrechamp competition (“Black Butterflies”), Annecy Presents non-competitive section (“Buffalo Kids”), Work in Progress (“Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake”), Annecy market MIFA Pitches sidebar and several other high-profile sections of the French festival. Given the quality and diversity of productions emerging from the region, there is no doubt that the foundation of the Catalan boom is artist-driven.
Auteur indie titles like “Robot Dreams” (Arcadia Motion Pictures) have achieved critical and award success, including European Film Awards and an Oscar nomination. Producing those types of films isn’t free, however, and often wouldn’t be possible without the involvement of government cultural programs like ICEC, the Catalan governmental culture industry division.
According to Catalan Councillor of Culture, Natàlia Garriga, “It is a priority to promote [audiovisual] as a strategic sector that creates imagery, describes landscapes, inspires ways of doing things, creates references, transmits our language, generates conversation and boosts the economy.” ICEC’s budget for animated features and series is €4.5 million ($4.9 million), but animated films can also qualify for further backing from the ICEC film fund. As was the case last year, the fund will distribute more than €41 million ($44.7 million).
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