Annecy 2023 Spotlights Mexican Animation

Annecy 2023 shines a festival spotlight on Mexican animation with nine programs illustrating Mexican animation’s unique characteristics, from techniques to themes combining social realities and the divergence of a multi-faceted culture. The festival runs June 11-17.

Programs feature numerous directors, including Sofia Carrillo, René Castillo (Down to the Bone/Hasta los huesos – 2001), and Carlos Carrera (The Hero).

Here’s the line-up:  

Mexican Archaeology: The program starts at the beginning of Mexican animation, highlighting experimental and historical works reflecting the diversity and milestones in the history of animation in Mexico.

School of Guadalajara: The birthplace of one of the most iconic aesthetics of Mexican animation, Guadalajara is a source of inspiration. Discover this unique atmosphere through a selection of works from 2001 to 2022.

Indigenous Mexico: A wide variety of indigenous peoples represent the Mexican cultural landscape - this program immerses audiences in the history of the heritage of Aboriginal communities.

Urban and Suburban Tales: Through various mediums, the program’s films capture the essence of life in Mexican cities and give insight into the beauty and complexity of Mexican urban areas.

Mexican television: Original Mexican content is emerging on the country's small screens. This program features some of the most recent shows, including the first animated television series made in Mexico in 1972.

Growing up in Mexico: This program looks at films that have fascinated young Mexicans, with a look at their stories and the way children are viewed as the discerning audience that they are.

Surrealities - Poetic Imagery: This selection pays homage to experimental artists who have challenged established narratives, structure, time, and movement in search of expression, empathy, and a new language.

Stories Untold: This program’s films represent Mexican animators’ commitment to telling the story of their country’s structural violence and that which violates our bodies and our lives.

Mexico on Hollywood Television: Discover the integration of Mexican know-how into American productions.

The festival welcomes three Mexican jury members to its 2023 edition:

VR Works category - Jorge R. Gutierrez: Director (The Book of Life) and designer of this year’s official poster.

Feature Film category - Sofía E. Alexander: Executive Producer and Creator of Onyx Equinox.

TV and Commissioned Films category - Estrella Araiza: General Director of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.

In addition, the Perspectives jury will be composed of three young Tapatios from Guadalajara who will award the City of Annecy Award for a Short Film.

The 2023 Official Selection – In Competition:

Mexican animation competes in a variety of categories:

In the Official Short Films selection

• Flesh of God, by Patricio Plaza (Mexico-Argentina coproduction)
• Smoke (Humo), by Rita Basulto

In the Off-Limits Short Films selection

• I Can't Go on Like This by Aria Covamonas from Planet Earth

In the Perspectives Short Films selection

• K8, by Miguel Anaya
• Shifting (Trasiego), by Amanda Woolrich (Mexico-Canada coproduction)

In the TV Films selection

• Dr. Gecko’s Show (El show del Dr. Gecko "Sex Gender"), by Marcos Almada Rivero

In the Commissioned Films selection:

• Common Seas "Blood Type: Plastic," by Diego Huacuja (USA-Mexico coproduction)

Mexican Animation at Annecy Also Includes:

• WIP Feature Films including Frankelda and the Prince of Spooks (Frankelda y el principe de los sustos) by Roy Ambriz and Arturo Ambriz.
• Ten teasers made by GOBELINS Paris will have a Mexican theme.

The Mifa:

Mexican Studios and schools represented include the SAE Institute México, Escena, Coco School, ITEMS, CAAV, and UNIVA.

Jorge R. Gutierrez, the Mifa Campus’ patron this year, will present a Masterclass on Tuesday, June 13, at 9:00 am.

Source: Annecy 2023

Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.