07/05/2024 - From 8 to 11 May, the event will be held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, bringing together leading names and companies in international animation, video games and special effects

Short film Cafunè, by Lorena Ares and Carlos F de Vigo

Animayo Gran Canaria International Film Festival of Animation, Visual Effects and Video Games, is holding its 19th edition in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from 8 to 11 May. It is the first and only film festival in Spain to be a qualifier by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Hollywood for the Oscar Awards in the category of animated short films. The event promotes the industry as well as training and professional development with an inspirational and motivational approach. 75% of its contents are master classes, panels and training workshops under the slogan "developing talent, driving the industry".

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The festival will also feature more than 30 guests and speakers with a line-up of experts, artists and creators from national and international studios, production companies and schools who will share their knowledge through 14 masterclasses on animation, production, VFX and leadership; four workshops focused on practical learning of skills and abilities in the areas of animation, illustration and artificial intelligence, as well as 15 training presentations, three auteur presentations, five school stands, 20 talent stands, two exhibitions and 12 hours of recruitments, portfolio reviews and signings with more than 15 companies in the sector.

In attendance at this new event, will be international production companies and studios such as Sony Pictures Animation, Platige Image, Cinesite, Polygon Pictures Inc, Plymptoons, Nørlum Studios, Skydance Animation, Atlantis Animation, Atlantis Animation, B Water Studios, Fortiche Production, 3 Doubles Producciones, Tomavision Studio, BMCAF STUDIO and Amuse, among others.

And in order to promote collaboration and creating strategic partnerships, Invest in Spain Animation Network will be an exclusive space for professionals where Animayo will encourage contacts between foreign companies and Spanish production companies and studios, as well as with government representatives such as Elena Moreno, M&E Industry Manager of ICEX-Invest in Spain, also a sponsor of Animayo Gran Canaria.

And screenings will play an important role in the film festival with four Official Competition Sections: a selection of short films from an annual competition of more than 2,000 works of 2D animation, 3D, visual effects, experimental, advertising pieces, spots, video clips, video game cinematics and virtual reality from Spain, the United States, Germany, Norway, France, Hong Kong, Poland, Argentina, Uruguay and Australia. 

Completing the offer is the return of La Noche Dos Rombos by the Danish Sara Koppel, animator and director at Koppel Animation, which brings a second augmented reality exhibition, and a selection of short films. There will also be the Canary Islands premiere of the short films Cafunè and Amanece la noche más larga, by Lorena Ares and Carlos F. de Vigo; and something for the kids with the screening of Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], a feature film by Filip Posivac, among many other activities.

With both online and in-person events, Animayo is extending its programme to other cities and countries in its travelling version Animayo Itinerante, with events in Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, Lanzarote, Portugal, Czech Republic, Brussels, Chicago, Mumbai, Prague, Colombia, Belgrade and Korea, among others.

All information about the event can be found here.

(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)