MIFA Annecy 2010

François BILTGEN on 50^e Annecy International Animation Film Festival: launch of the reform of the "Animation Drawing" BTS.

On 10 June, François BILTGEN, Minister for Media and Communications, visited the 50^e international animated film festival and market (MIFA) in Annecy (France). The Minister was received by the President of the International Animation Film Festival, Dominique PUTHOD, and the Director of the MIFA, Michael MARIN.

The Minister and his interlocutors exchanged views on the training offered both in France and in Luxembourg in the field of animation. They emphasised the need for students to specialise, particularly in 3D techniques and special effects, in order to better meet the needs of the market. The minister then met with a delegation of students from the BTS (advanced vocational diploma) in animation drawing at the Lycée technique des Arts et Métiers in Luxembourg (LTAM).

The young students travelled to Annecy to make direct contact with the Luxembourg producers present at the promotional stand organised and run by the Fonds national de soutien à la production audiovisuelle (FONSPA) at the animation film market. A 'speed-dating' event organised by FONSPA gave students an initial opportunity to make targeted contact with the professional world. Students were able to present their applications and CVs to the employers present, in a spirit of integration into the job market.

In their discussions with Luxembourg producers and LTAM representatives, François BILTGEN and FONSPA Director Guy DALEIDEN discussed the need to reform the current BTS on the basis of the new law on higher education in general and the BTS in particular.

While the BTS has proved its worth in the past, there is now a need, particularly in view of ongoing technological developments, to embark on a reform of the instrument in the near future to make it even more capable of meeting the needs of the sector. According to François BILTGEN, the renewed 'Animation Design' BTS will be more market-oriented, to enable producers in particular to recruit the necessary skills directly from the national job market. In return, this proactive approach will provide students who start this professional higher education course with a real prospect of employment at the end of their training.

Against this backdrop, François BILTGEN encouraged Luxembourg producers to clearly define their needs. As in the past, the educational content of the training will be defined by the teaching establishment.

The Minister's ideas were very favourably received by the sector present in Annecy. As a result, LTAM, Luxembourg producers, FONSPA and representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research will be meeting in the autumn to finalise this ambitious project with a view to accreditation of the renewed "Animation Design" BTS. This should be operational from September 2011.