The NZFC took the opportunity of last weekend’s Wellington Animation Film Festival to announce a couple of initiatives targeting animation. NZFC CE Annie Murray introduced the initiatives, which include a return to Annecy in June, and ring-fenced funding for animation projects in its 2025-26 budget.
According to an NZFC media release, the global animation industry was valued at US$391 billion in 2022, and – driven by streaming platforms, educational tools, and mobile gaming – is projected to grow to around US$590 billion by 2033.
Annecy is the world’s largest and most-respected festival and market for animation, with this year’s edition running in early June. It usually attracts upwards of 10,000 people.
The NZFC last attended in 2016, with Leanne Pooley’s Anzac-themed animated feature 25 April a key part of the activity.
This year, the NZFC and Screen Wellington will host a stand at Annecy’s market event, MIFA, to pursue “strategic industry connections and development, co-production, financing, sales and distribution opportunities”.
The NZFC will offer support for those attending via the Producers International Travel Fund (PITF).
The PITF has historically favoured producers with feature projects, although in the animation arena much of NZ’s work and success in recent years on NZ-originated IP has been on TV series and games.
The NZFC’s second announcement was that the He Kauahi Catalyst Fund, which will be relaunched this year, will offer $500,000 of ring-fenced funding specifically for animation projects, to be allocated as support for up to five applicants ($90,000 towards an animated short, plus $10,000 towards development of an animated feature film).
Beyond those initiatives, the NZFC also plans to organise networking events here, including speed-dating to pair animators with screenwriters.
Top image: Murray Ball’s 1986 animated feature, Footrot Flats
