Annecy Animation Festival organizes six La Liga project pitches

The Costa Rican story about a grandfather’s lifelong care for his family, ‘Agua Dulce’, the Mexican fairy story ‘Bolla’ with an eco theme and the teen horror story ‘Knightmares’ are among the six projects presented on June 12 at the Mifa from the Annecy Animation Festival. Market. These are presented by La Liga, an umbrella association co-founded in 2018 by Argentina’s Animation! at Ventana Sur, the Spanish Quirino Awards and the Pixelatl festival in Mexico.

“Animation is an increasingly collaborative industry. La Liga [the Ibero-American Animation League] is an example of this collaboration between the most important markets in Ibero-America, allowing production houses to see the benefits of teamwork,” said Pixelatl CEO, Jose Iñesta.

“Since its inception, many projects have been produced or in production that have won Liga awards, such as ‘Dos Pajaritos’ and ‘Primeras.’ We strive to see more Ibero-American content on screens, and the way forward is through co-production, collaboration and teamwork. With this in mind, La Liga was created and we are excited to see more content from our region on global screens,” he added.

“The projects presented at Focus are the winners of the Animation! Pitching Sessions 2023, which took place in Ventana Sur, plus a project from our Mentorship Program for Female Directors and a short film project from the Shortway/Pixelatl festival Bootcamp,” explains Animation! head Silvina Cornillon, who added that members of the Mexican collective Calladitos (participating in the ‘Bolla’ project) are creating a mural on a street in Annecy.

“They are both muralists and animators and they were invited by a gallery called Art by Friends in Annecy. In addition, they recently received the news that they have received a fund [Mexican Film Institute] Imcine for the development of a short film whose main character is the same character as in their feature film ‘Bolla’,” she said Variety.

Cornillon also noted that the Mexican producers of “Knightmares,” Demente Studio, are heading to Mifa armed with a co-production letter of interest from Cartoon Network Latin America.

A further breakdown of the La Liga projects:

“Agua Dulce,” Daniela Capó, Roque Vásquez, Housketch Studio, Costa Rica

The short 3D drama aimed at teenagers and adults tells the life of a grandfather who is left alone after a lifetime of caring for his family.

“Bolla,” Ariadna Galaz, Jorge Peralta, Calladitos, Mexico

The 2D series of ten 11-minute episodes revolves around Pug, an elf who discovers an extraordinary seed on the island on which he lives. He and his friends must nurture the seed that will grow into a powerful guardian of nature.

“Knightmares,” Juan Sotelo, Demente Studio, Mexico

A 26-episode, 11-minute excised 2D teen horror comedy series that revolves around a terrified teenager who summons the NightWalker, an ancient monster that turns fears into real monsters. As the NightWalker wreaks havoc on Liz’s school and brings the students’ nightmares to life, Liz must find a way to lock it away.

“Los Tesoros de Marta,” (“The Treasures of Marta.” Antonia Venegas González, Supahpure Studios, Chile

The twelve-part 2D fantasy comedy series is aimed at children aged 5 to 8 years. Alejandro, Fernanda and Tito, three unique explorers, discover the centuries-old diary of their group’s founder, Marta. Inspired, they embark on a quest to follow in her footsteps, searching for treasures and adventures hidden beneath the landscape of the modern city.

“See eu morrer,” (“If I die.” Esther Vital, O Par (Brazil), Midralgar (France), Esther Vital (Spain))

The 70-minute stop-motion animation documentary, aimed at the 16+ demo, is set in Brazil during a brutal dictatorship. Guerrilla leader Inês Etienne emerges as the sole survivor of the House of Death, a clandestine army detention, torture and extermination center. As the last keeper of memory, she fights tirelessly to uncover the truth and seek justice.

“Seed,” (Andrés Sehinkman, Federico Carlini, Planta Alta, Argentina)

An 80-minute CGI fantasy film aimed at children. It follows Seed, a small, unidentified sprout who unexpectedly germinates in a greenhouse and becomes obsessed with discovering his identity. He defies the older plants, uproots himself and ventures into the rainforest. Together with his girlfriend Milla, a seed that cannot germinate, he experiences adventures and meets colorful characters, eventually learning that all living things are connected by one invisible root.