ASIFA HELLAS – the Hellenic Animation Association – made a dynamic return to the global stage for the seventh consecutive year at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and MIFA Market in France, the world’s leading event for the animation industry.
Under the vibrant motto “Greece Animated“, ASIFA HELLAS proudly represented Hellenic animation at this prestigious festival, showcasing the country’s creative potential to a global audience of over 13,200 accredited professionals from 106 countries and more than 800 companies in the animation industry.
Remaining committed to the international promotion of Greek animation, ASIFA HELLAS operated its own booth (F.14) at MIFA, the professional market that runs alongside the festival’s competition section.
This year, the Hellenic pavilion hosted 15 accredited professionals and spotlighted over 83 creative Greek animation companies to targeted audiences. A total of 30 projects were presented, including:
- 2 feature films – one completed and one in development.
- 17 short films, of which 14 were completed, including 2 historical documentaries.
- 6 TV series.
- 4 commissioned films.
A notable highlight was the “Fresh Greek Animation” showcase – a curated screening of award-winning Hellenic animations funded by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture through the Greek Film Centre, under the Special Covid-19 Support Program.
Greece was also represented in the official competition of Annecy 2023. The TV series episode “Efyros” from the series “Gegone Mesa sto Mouseio” (It Happened Inside the Museum) –by Vasia Chatzigiannaki, directed by Yiannis Ziogas, and produced by ERT – was featured in the TV competition. Additionally, the commissioned short WWF “A Flammable Planet”, directed by Yiannis Konstantinidis and Christos Lefakis, represented Greece in the corresponding section.
At the “Meet the Publishers” event, Patakis Publishers and Whitefox Productions held one-on-one meetings with foreign producers. During “Meet the Producers“, “The Zebra’s Island” by Alexandros Kostopoulos – produced by Ioanna Soultani and Funny Tales – was selected among just 9 international projects for co-production meetings.
In 2023, ASIFA HELLAS joined Animation in Europe, the federation of European animation producers, which held its general assembly during the festival. Greece, along with Estonia and Portugal, became new member countries, increasing the total to 20 member nations, including the UK.
Representing ASIFA HELLAS, newly appointed president Konstantinos P. Kakarountas participated in key discussions on the future of European animation collaboration and policy. The newly elected board of Animation in Europe is led by Philippe Alessandri (Watch Next Media, France) as President, with Vice Presidents Moe Honan (Ireland), Pablo Jordi (Finland), Ivan Agenjo (Spain), and Dirk Beinhold (Germany).
The Hellenic pavilion welcomed several notable figures, including Yannick Heude, Head of Economic Development and Training at Annecy Festival, who met with Mr. Kakarountas.
High-level representatives from Greece’s audiovisual institutions attended Annecy, underscoring the state’s support for Greek animation as an exportable cultural product.
Attendees included Markos Holevas (President of the Board of the Greek Film Centre), Theodoros Koutsavtis (Board Member), Stelios Kraounakis (EKOME’s Head of EU & Funding Programs), and Elena Bellou (EKOME Representative).
The “Greece Animated” networking event co-hosted by ASIFA HELLAS, EKOME, and the Greek Film Centre made a strong impression, placing Greek animation firmly on the radar of global co-production markets. A major networking event, attended by creators, producers, and representatives from European and international audiovisual institutions, was held. The Hellenic delegation engaged in targeted meetings with international producers and publishers, exploring opportunities to adapt Greek literary works into animation and organize strategic meetings and co-productions.
Notably, ASIFA HELLAS President Konstantinos P. Kakarountas and Managing Director Alekos Papadatos attended the Disney Party, where they held discussions with Véronique Encrenaz, Head of MIFA.
ASIFA Hellas President Konstantinos P. Kakarountas held discussions with representatives from Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Pictures at the MIFA Market building global bridges.
The 2023 Annecy experience resulted in tangible outcomes, including new job opportunities, knowledge transfer from foreign studios, and interest in co-production and distribution deals involving Greek animation projects.