Unifrance presents MyFrenchAnimationDays (MyFAD), from 11 to 31 October

11 OCTOBER 2024

Animation plays an important role in the French film and audiovisual landscape: in 2023, France will be Europe's leading animation producer, and third in terms of exports.

This is why Unifrance has decided to develop MyFrenchAnimationDays (MyFAD): a special operation to highlight the creativity of French animation and its industry, and to raise awareness of it among audiences around the world, with the help of its partners and in particular its animation distributors, producers and exporters members.

Dates

The event will hinge on the International Animation Day (October 28) organized by ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d'Animation), and will run from October 11 to 31, 2024, the dates of the Fête du Cinéma d’Animation in France run by the AFCA (Association Française du Cinéma d’Animation).

Program

MyFrenchAnimationDays consists of three key events targeting all ages and the general public.

1 - Discovery workshops with participating French schools abroad

For schools at 3 levels: nursery, CP/CE1/CE2 and CM1/CM2 (from 3 to 10 years old) to enable them to learn while having fun, to explore while stimulating their curiosity and to develop their own imagination.

Each teacher / class will receive an educational kit designed by Unifrance in collaboration with a teacher, including :

An episode from each series for screening in the classroom
Educational videos explaining what goes on behind the scenes of the series
Educational sheets to guide teachers and a competition.

The 4 series proposed for this 1st edition are as follows:

Edmond and Lucy (MIAM! Animation)
Gigantosaurus (Cyber Group Studios)
Simon Super Rabbit (GO-N Productions)
Zig & Sharko (Xilam Animation)

Discover what goes on behind the scenes of these series thanks to the educational videos created as part of the operation.

2 - Online Talks

For all audiences, especially students and professionals.
Two talks (in English) moderated by Daniela Elstner, Unifrance's Executive Director, to be seen live online.

Online Talk #1 : "With Jeremy Zag and Aton Soumache: Discover the World of Animation Filmmaking".

“Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir – The Movie – a discussion with the creator and producer. Two global successes, a series and a film, a dynamic duo – how does one become a creator of such a unique, both French and international universe? Unifrance invites you to dive into the fascinating world of Jeremy Zag and Aton Soumache.”

Jérémy Zag is CEO, Founder of ZAG / Director, Composer and Producer of Ladybug & Cat Noir Awakening. Aton Soumache is Honorary President of Mediawan Kids & Family / President of The Magical Society.

October 14, 2024, at 4pm (UTC+2)

Register here

Online Talk #2 : “With John Coven and Briana Yarhouse: How to Become an Animator?”

“Animation invites us from a young age to identify with heroes and heroines, to immerse in universes. It can create vocations, drawing, inventing, and speaking in this universal language. But how and when should one pursue it? What schools for which careers?"

John Coven is Director of the Department of Animated Film at the French school Les Gobelins. Briana Yarhouse is Director of International Animation Day at ASIFA (International Animated Film Association) and Director of the Animation Program at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

October 16, 2024, at 4pm (UTC+2)

Register here

3 - Special screenings

International physical screenings will be set up, from 11 October to the end of 2024, for all audiences, by local distributors in several European countries and by several Instituts français.

Special screenings organised by local distributors: