Xavier Bettel travelled to Annecy where he met animation professionals and BTS students.

The Prime Minister and Minister for Communications and the Media, Xavier Bettel, travelled to Annecy on 12 June to visit the International Animation Film Market (MIFA). This event is the essential annual rendezvous for all professionals in the global animation sector, with over 12,000 accredited visitors from 88 countries.

The Film Fund Luxembourg will be there for the 19^e Once again, with a promotional stand hosting 15 Luxembourg animation companies (production, studios and service providers).

The Prime Minister had the opportunity to speak with Dominique Puthod, Deputy Mayor of Annecy and Chairman of CITIA (organiser of the market and the festival), Mickael Marin, Festival Director and Véronique Encrenaz, MIFA Manager. During his visit to the film market, the Minister lingered over a number of international stands and the XR@Annecy space.

During his visit, the Minister met with animation professionals, representatives of the FMAIV (Fédération luxembourgeoise des Métiers de l'Animation et de l'Image Virtuelle) and students from the BTS (Advanced Technician's Certificate) in Cartooning from the Lycée des Arts et Métiers de Luxembourg (LAM).

During the traditional "speed dating" meetings, students from the Lycée luxembourgeois had the opportunity to present their talents and know-how to animation professionals with a view to a possible work placement or recruitment. This event particularly attracted the attention of the Minister, who happily mingled with the young animators to appreciate the artistic value of their work.

In addition, on its stand, the Fund organised a French-language co-production meeting with its partners from Wallonie Bruxelles Images (Belgium) and the SODEC - Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (Canada).

Pm. 5 Luxembourg co-productions were selected for Annecy: The Swallows of Kabul by Zabou Breitman and Eléa Gobbé-Mevellec (Melusine Productions), Zero Impunity by Nicolas Blies, Stéphane Hueber-Blies and Denis Lambert (a_BAHN/Melusine Productions), Fox and Hare by Tom Van Gestel and Mascha Haiberstad (Doghouse Films), Ayahuasca (Kosmik Journey) by Jan Kounen (a_BAHN) and The Prince's Journey by Jean-François Laguionie and Xavier Picard (Melusine Productions).
The winners of the festival competition will be announced this Saturday evening (15 June).