The Annecy International Animation Film Festival and MIFA returned triumphantly to their former glory last year, having been impacted heavily by Covid-related restrictions in 2021 and cancelled entirely due to the pandemic in 2020.


The 2022 event was a huge success, achieving record numbers of attendees desperate to get back out into the market and resume normal life. The atmosphere was certainly buzzing – in fact, it was so busy many people were refused entry into certain MIFA sessions due to capacity being reached, while others queued for as long as an hour-and-a-half to secure a spot.


This year, the event is expected to be even bigger. As delegates roll into Annecy to meet partners, watch pitches, screen their upcoming projects, attend panels and hear about the latest goings on in the animation industry, there will be many a discussion about the trends and issues facing the sector.


Funding, and the lack of it, has long been a problem for animation and now, as the world grapples with a global economic crisis, things could get even tougher. We already saw last year the likes of Netflix and HBO Max cancelling multiple animated series, and cutbacks by the major streamers look set to continue. Unfortunately for the animation sector, as commissioning rates decline, kids’ content is being hit particularly hard.


A topic that is bound to get people talking in Annecy is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in animation. The subject is controversial and seems to have people divided, with some animation companies already using AI in their work, others considering how they might be able to benefit from it and others being absolutely appalled by the idea.


As the war in Ukraine rages on, Ukrainian animation producers are more in need than ever of help and support to get their projects off the ground. At MIFA, there will be a dedicated presentation and pitch of five of the most promising Ukrainian animated series in development that are in search of coproduction and co-development partners, sales agents and distributors.


While the Covid-19 pandemic may be fast becoming a thing of the past, and a renewed sense of hope emerges as a result, the world is still in a tricky place as economies decline and wars continue. The need to team up, support and look out for each other is real – but if any sector in the content business can do that, it’s animation. I’m sure partnerships and friendships will bloom in Annecy this year and I look forward to seeing you there!