MIFA Annecy 2012

François Biltgen, Minister for Communications and Media meets the animators and BTS students at the MIFA in Annecy!

Press release 1 (7 June 2012):

François Biltgen, Minister for Communications and the Media, visited the International Animation Film Market in Annecy, where Luxembourg was represented by a stand promoting the Film Fund. As part of his visit, he held talks with Luxembourg professionals from the animation sector. The minister outlined the new draft law on aid for audiovisual production, which is currently being finalised.

Mr Biltgen suggested organising an open day at animation studios alongside the student fair to raise awareness of the professions in the sector. This idea was warmly welcomed by the heads of Luxembourg's animation studios.

In keeping with tradition, the Minister also met with students from the LTAM Animation BTS in the Grand Duchy, who had travelled to Annecy to find out about the many job opportunities available in the animation sector. These same students had previously taken part in a 'speed dating' session (meeting producers) on the Luxembourg stand.

At this year's International Animation Film Festival, 4 Luxembourg films have been selected. They are :

- Previews of 2 feature films co-produced by Melusine Productions: Ernest et Célestine, directed by Benjamin Renner, Vincent Patar and Stéphane Aubier, and Le jour des corneilles, directed by Jean-Christophe Dessaint.

- 1 feature film co-produced by Melusine Productions screened as a work in progress: Extraordinary Tales, directed by Raul Garcia

- 1 short film in Official Competition: Una furtiva lagrima, directed by Carlo Vogele (1st film).

Press release 2 (15 June 2012)

Carlo Vogele, young Luxembourg director, winner of the 2012 Annecy Animation Film Festival.

At the recent Annecy International Animation Film Festival, a young talent from Luxembourg, Carlo Vogele, was awarded the "CANAL+ aide à la création" prize for his short film Una Furtiva Lagrima, which will enable him to write and develop a new project.

The short film being screened in Annecy, which he produced and financed himself, was made using the pixilation technique (volume animation). It depicts the Requiem for a fish, which sings its final journey from the fish counter to the frying pan where it cooks under the inexorable flames of the cooker. The film is both dramatic and funny, and demonstrates the promising talent of this young animator who is currently working at PIXAR in the United States.

For more information about the film and Carlo's work in San Francisco: http://carlovogele.blogspot.com/.

Festival: 2 Screening Premieres: Days of the Crows and Ernest&Célestine - 2 coproductions by Melusine Productions