Inside the theater at CINANIMA `97. Photo by Thomas Basgier. © Animation World Network.

Held from November 11-16, in Espinho, Portugal, CINANIMA (Festival Internacional de Cinema de Animação) celebrated its 21st anniversary this year which was marked by a record number of high quality films participating in both screenings and competition. Among screenings, competitions and an exhibition of Portuguese works coupled with a debate hoping to foster Portuguese animation productions, CINANIMA also held four retrospectives. One program brought attention to the fight against racism while another was dedicated to Finland. Bob Godfrey (U.K.), honorary festival chair, was also honored, as was Sayoko Kinoshita's late husband, Renzo Kinoshita (Japan). Ms. Kinoshita relates for us the importance of this festival to her. A list of winners follows.

Whenever I attend CINANIMA, on the last day of the Festival, I always feel like I do not want to leave, and that I cannot wait to come back again in the near future. All of the Festival staff members have always been very kind and charming throughout the event's 21 year history. The people welcome us warmly. So, whenever I come back, I always feel glad and satisfied to be returning.

CINANIMA festival director Ant˜nio Gaio (left) speaks with festival guests. Photo by Thomas Basgier. © Animation World Network

Our History with CINANIMA
Renzo and I first met António Gaio, the Festival Director, in the late `70s when he was still working at the city bank. We went to the bank, and were at a loss when the officer told us that regrettably they could not exchange Yen in Espinho. Then a smiling gentleman came to the counter, and while looking at the Japanese Yen bills with interest, said that he would privately exchange the money, keeping the Yen bills for his collection! It was Mr. Gaio. Later, we came to know each other more through his daughter who was working as a volunteer for the Festival. We were invited to his house for a delicious dinner and also admired the beautiful lacework art made by Mrs. Gaio. Another thing we were surprised to see was Mr. Gaio's comic book collection of the world. He showed us so many interesting Portuguese comic books that we even purchased some in Lisbon after the Festival. Since then, when we attend CINANIMA, it has become our pleasure to bring several Japanese comic books to Mr. Gaio as a small gift. Of course, by now, his daughter is married and has children of her own but I imagine that her house is nicely decorated with her mother's lacework.

From that time on, Renzo and I were not only making animation films but were also trying to create an international animation festival in Japan in order to better our field. Thus, our experience of participating in the heart-warming Festival, held in such a nice town like Espinho, greatly encouraged us to realize our dream. At that time, I never thought that Mr. Gaio would be the future Festival Director, and he too, I suppose, did not imagine that we were going to actualize the Hiroshima festival after many years of effort.