EVENT: Animahenasyon 2011 – The 5th Philippine Animation Festival

Animahenasyon highlights original content production

After its successful run in Naga City last year, the Animahenasyon Philippine Animation Festival returns to Manila as it marks its 5th year at Eastwod City from November 22 to 25. This year’s festival is also held in conjunction with Toei Animation Philippines, Inc.’s (TAP) 25th anniversary.

Organized annually by the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), Animahenasyon is the Council’s flagship project that aims to build an audience base, increase their awareness, and showcase original Filipino animated works through a multi-category competition for both aspiring and professional animators in the country.

This year, Animahenasyon is co-presented by TAP and will be held in Eastwood City, where its office is located. Thousands of participants are expected to grace the event this year with almost 150 entries competing for the various competition categories in the student and professional divisions.

“Last year, we were able to highlight and promote the various animation professionals outside Manila by holding the festival in Naga City,” shares Michael Kho Lim, APCI executive director and overall project director. “This year, as Toei Animation Philippines co-hosts our festival, we are out to prove that the Philippines is more than just an outsourcing destination, but also a hub for original content production.”

Aside from being an active member of the Council, TAP is co-hosting this year’s Animahenasyon as its way of emphasizing the Filipino talent in animation all these years. “We have always been known to service animation for other countries, and Toei Animation Philippines is a living testament to that,” explains Nestor Palabrica, TAP general manager and this year’s festival director. “But we’d also like to stress the point that the Philippines is more than just an animation service provider, that we also have the capability to produce our own animation content.”

Aside from the screening of this year’s competing animated entries, Animahenasyon 2011 will also have a special exhibition program from Japan’s Media Arts Festival. This year’s festival will also feature some of the works of Animahenasyon’s very first outstanding emerging artist in animation awardee, Ramon del Prado. On the other hand, ACPI is conferring this year’s lifetime achievement award to Geirry Garccia, creator of the famed Ang Panday animated TV series during the late 80s.

Also part of the festival is the conference where renowned animation professionals from abroad are invited to share their expertise and experiences. These include Silas Hickey from Cartoon Network Asia Pacific, Richard Morgan Grenville from Supa Strikas, independent character designer and concept artist Chris Lie, and traditional painter and digital artist Luis Lasahido among others.

Capping the whole festival is the closing ceremony and awards night that will be held at the Eastwood City Open Park on November 25.

Animahenasyon serves as a venue for Filipino animators to present their world-class ideas, and opens doors of opportunities for them to meet with and be inspired by the finest names in the industry. It also aims to create greater awareness of the Philippine animation industry and its contributions to the global entertainment business, while tapping locally produced content for promotion in animation markets here and abroad.

Animahenasyon is made possible through the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, British Council, Japan Foundation, Studio 23, Hero TV and several other sponsors and partners.

For more information about Animahenasyon 2011, please call 8172727 local 108 or email the secretariat at animahenasyon@gmail.com, or visit www.animahenasyon.com.

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About Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc.

ACPI is a non-stock and non-profit organization whose member companies specialize mainly in, but not limited to, 2D, Flash or 3D animation. It aims to promote the animation industry globally with the intention of creating an identity for the Philippines to be considered amongst the preferred countries that service the animation industry.

As an organized body, ACPI aims to promote the Filipino talent both locally and internationally. With the cooperation of its members as well as the Philippine government, it is envisioned that the member studios and schools will be considered competitive both creatively and technologically.

ACPI’s vision is to make Philippines as the prime provider of animation and content creation services to the global marketplace. On the other hand, ACPI’s mission is to be the center of excellence for animation and content creation services through building more efficient and effective collaborative business practices that will elevate the country’s economy and culture.