in the beginning! We feel that Loïc Portier, director of the Festival of Animated Short Films, is impatient with the idea of presenting his festival in a restored version. “We are in a strong rebound because Total is shooting the fiery boss in the animated film of Ciné court. Let’s not forget that in recent years we have had to think about and model health, even if we have a very good 2022 with more than 10,000 Spectator. “
“Rouen is one of the largest festivals dedicated to animation cinema”
But the 2023 version will do nothing. Finally, Nothing to See is a way to talk, because the festival will present programming in three cinemas, with a minimum of 60 hours of screening. “The idea remains to present the best animation in the world, support Loïc Portier and allow all audiences to participate in family sessions in the Grand Palais, and school sessions throughout the week…”
On this subject, the numbers speak for themselves: with 5,700 pupils, from about sixty establishments, expected – “there is such a demand from the schools, that we will flood the festival in the performances of the schools” – it is not too much to speak of success.
Away from the borders of Roannais
Loc Portier asserts that it is one of the largest festivals dedicated to animation cinema. We have found our place: this festival is now recognized by the Césars® Animation Committee and some films are presented in national or world premieres! “And to give evidence of the reception of 2,000 films from 100 countries this year…” We are already at an international festival, it’s not just a name, it supports the young director. This makes it possible to attract an audience not only from Roanne, but also from all over France. »
Scout talent
Over time, the festival wanted to “forge close-knit partnerships”. Thus, this year the school will present posters created especially by its students, and the Master’s degree in Music Applied to Visual Arts from the University of Lyon will present 2 different compositions for live-action animated films.
“Animation cinema is thriving,” says Loic Portier. There were not many orders for these schools in France (no doubt, an effect of the Festival) among them many people from Rouen. Animation is a cinema where there is no idle at the moment. We were able to take the niche at the right time, 15 years ago, and develop it. The result: there is an emphasis, at Roanne, on new animator talent and those people who have finished the graduation films presented here will be recruited within two years by Pixar®, Dreamworks®, major French studios or even create their own. »
Audience engagement
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What is expected, the director insists, is that these people, once recognized in the profession, will become and return to the festival’s best ambassadors. Build the loyalty of the audience, of course, but also the loyalty of the professionals. With national directors, people from production and distribution or even festivals who come looking for films, Loïc Portier says he is pleased with the rise in strength of this professional side: “These are the people who stay in Roanne, who seize the opportunity to spend time here.”
The light works…
This year, the festival has also decided to focus on two axes of dance and animation and a special retrospective of films that cross these two arts, as well as another on Ibero-American animation. “The aim is for it to resonate in the territory,” Loïc Portier concludes. “We are pioneers in the digital arts, so we will have a virtual reality room in our media library that will allow us to offer produced and directed 360-degree films. It’s not gimmicky, it’s big-budget film, and an experience Real: There will only be virtual reality movies, but it is a real discovery. »
So, all that remains is to find out…
Christian Verdi
Feedback on professional work.
Favorites of Loïc Portier, Festival Director and Programmer
bubble
“In Boom, we didn’t find very smart birds on a volcanic island… Suddenly, there was a general panic, it’s very funny. Usually, we’re on Pixar® picture codes. We know that directors have every chance to go to the big American studios.”
from wood
“A movie cut entirely out of the stumps! He cuts wood, reshapes an image, resizes it… The entire movie is made by an artisanal artist. I’ve never seen it before, but here’s what’s interesting about animation: As a programming director, I’m always amazed. »
snow dealers
“It is a Portuguese film that was in the running for an Oscar. It is dreamlike, poetic, it is very interesting: each image is a painting with, in addition, a lot of work on sound. This short film will speak to a lot of people, it is a masterpiece.”
Gunther falls in love
“Gunther is a short comedy. We try to speed up our programming for the audience. Here, it’s three minutes where you’re laughing out loud. Without teasing too much, he’s a dog who falls in love with a stuffed animal, and of course things don’t go his way…”
bad links
“This is also very funny. You feel like you’re in the ’90s boom, and I think it will remind viewers of their first teenage party. It really is a movie that makes you smile, reminds you of an era, and we really love that!”
