PH animators showcase talent in France

Press Release
October 24, 2016

CANNES, France – Philippine animation studios, led by the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) recently showcased the digital content capabilities of the Philippines at the International Market of Communications Program (MIPCOM) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres in Cannes, France last October 17-20, 2016.

The Philippine participation at the MIPCOM was supported by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Philippine Embassy in Paris, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris (PTIC-Paris), and the Department of Trade and Industry's Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB).

Represented at the MIPCOM were companies including ASI Animation Studios, RenderBee, Synergy88, TeamApp, Toon City, Toon City Academy, Top Peg Animation, and 88storey Films. These Filipino companies are among talents with creative design and animation capabilities for web and mobile games applications, interactive and immersive visual technology, animation for television, film, and the internet, production of audio-visual presentations and commercials for television, cinemas and the internet.

“MIPCOM is a big opportunity for the animation industry of the Philippines. The major players are here and our presence in this important event is essential. We expect to generate new business engagements as there is a growing demand for content and creative services here in Europe” said ACPI President Juan Miguel Del Rosario.

“Given the capabilities of the participating companies, we are confident that this participation will open doors of opportunities for our content industry in the country as we aggressively move to prioritize new markets and new services to expand our exports” said Dir. Senen M. Perlada of the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau.

“France has the largest animation industry in Europe and the third largest in the world, so there is a lot of potential for our animation industry to set up partnerships and increase awareness of the creative Filipino talent in France,” mentioned by the Philippine Ambassador to France H.E. Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

The animation industry in the Philippines started in the 1980s, making it one of the stronger Asian players in the global animation industry today. At present, there are over 100 animation studios across the country with total revenue of US$153 million and over 11,000 full-time employees.

“For this sector, Philippines is actually seen as potential partner for growth by various companies from Japan, France, India and other key players in terms of training, development of content and other key areas,” said DTI PTIC- Paris Director and Commercial Attache Froilan Pamintuan.

Aside from MIPCOM participation, the Philippine animation delegation held meetings with the French Association of Animated Film (AFCA) and the Network of French Animation Schools (RECA), which includes Les Gobelins, the number one animation school in the world. French animators were also invited to join Animahenasyon, the country’s animated film festival and to establish potential partnerships in higher education and training.

MIPCOM is an annual event held every October in Cannes, France and is known in the television and entertainment industry as a premier marketplace to buy and sell new programmes and formats for the global market. Major players such as Disney, Warner Bros., 21st Century Fox and HBO, are among the participants of the said event.