Xavier Bettel visits the Annecy Festival
On 11 and 12 June, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, in his capacity as Minister for Communications and the Media, travelled to Annecy to visit the Marché International du Film d'Animation (MIFA), held as part of the Festival of the same name. This event is the key annual rendezvous for all professionals in the global animation sector, with 7,300 participants from 80 countries, 340 international buyers, distributors and investors, and 530 exhibitors.
The Fonds national de soutien à la production audiovisuelle has been present since 2000 with a promotional stand featuring fourteen Luxembourg animation companies (production, studios and service providers).
At the official opening of the MIFA, Minister Xavier Bettel and Guy Daleiden, Director of the Film Fund Luxembourg, had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Annecy, Jean-Luc Rigaut, the Sub-Prefect of Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, Pierre Molager, local elected representatives and Frédérique Bredin, President of the Centre National du Cinéma (CNC France).
During his stay, the minister also met with animation professionals and students from the BTS Animation programme at the Lycée Technique des Arts et Métiers de Luxembourg (LTAM) who, for the first time, together with their teachers, were present with a stand promoting the BTS.
During the traditional "speed dating" meetings, students from the Lycée technique des Arts et Métiers had the opportunity to present their talents 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.
"Mr Hublot", Zeilt Productions' Oscar-winning animated short, was screened on Tuesday 10 June as part of the festival, and was the subject of a "making of" presentation that was much appreciated by professionals.
The minister emphasised the importance of the animation sector, whose technical skills and quality are often unknown to the general public. "We should not forget that animation represents 30% of the audiovisual sector's activities in Luxembourg and that 75% of BTS students find a job in the animation sector", Xavier Bettel pointed out.
Testifying to the sector's dynamism, 4 feature-length animated films co-produced by Luxembourg production companies are due to hit the screens in 2014: "The Prince and the 108 Demons", "Song of the Sea", "The Golden Horse" and "Ooops! Noah is gone...".
