"Annecy" Deploys its Trademark Abroad

Harry (Sang Chul) YOON (SK BROADBAND), Hyungchul JOO (SBA - SEOUL ANIMATION CENTER), Patrick EVENO (CITIA)
Photo : G. Piel/CITIA

On Tuesday 13th June 2017 during the Annecy International Animation Film Market, CITIA, Image et industries créatives (France), the SBA Animation Center (South Korea) and SK Broadband (South Korea) signed a partnership agreement to create a new animation festival in South Korea: The first Annecy Asia International Animation Film Festival will take place in Seoul in 2019.

CITIA, organiser of the world’s biggest animation festival, is deploying its trademark and expertise abroad. This is a new step in this stragegy after two years of Annecy Goes to Cannes. The creation of the Annecy Asia International Animation Festival is a project carried out in cooperation with the SBA Animation Center and SK Broadband (South Korea’s leading broadband provider).

The three partners plan on launching the project in September 2019 at the Digital Media City (DMC), in the heart of Korea’s cultural industry. Created in 2002, this high-tech complex dedicated to new digital technologies spans across 570,000 m² with offices, exhibition spaces, conference rooms… In two years, the first edition of this Festival dedicated to international animation will be held inside this cultural hotspot.

"With this partnership, we mutually engage to unite our skills. This is a great opportunity to spread the Annecy trademark abroad. We are certain that this international dynamic will enrich all parties involved collectively", exclaimed Mickaël Marin, CITIA Managing Director.

In South Korea, the animation sector is rapidly developing. This partnership will therefore enable the country to give structure to its industry, to step onto the international market and promote the exporting of local productions.

"The Annecy Festival, set in a town with a beautiful landscape, will be associated with Seoul, Asia’s central city that has its own history and is also developing technology of the future. Together, we will create the most popular animation festival in Asia", said Joo Hyungcheol, CEO of SBA Animation.

About the SBA Animation Center

Founded in 1999, the SBA Animation Center supports South Korea’s comic book, video game and animation industries by organising different activities, exhibitions and the Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival (SICAF).

About SK Broadband

SK Broadband, previously known as Hanaro Telecom, is a telecommunications company based in Seoul, which is one of the leading broadband providers in South Korea.

About CITIA

CITIA is a resource and expertise centre in the field of images and creative industries, covering culture, economy and training/research.
Headed up by Patrick Eveno, CITIA organises the International Animation Film Festival and Market (Mifa) and the Forum Blanc. It also contributes to developing the local economy by offering training possibilities, supporting specialised companies and hosting the sector's unifying space Les Papeteries – Image Factory.
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