Telefilm Canada announced Wednesday at the Annecy International Animation Film Market it is launching a new initiative for the development and export of animated feature films.
Telefilm said it will establish a special funding envelope of $420,000 for animated features that will be integrated into the Development Program.
“This initiative aims to recognize the distinctive nature of animated films and to support their early creative stages, particularly storyboard development,” reads a Telefilm press release. “It is part of a broader effort to prioritize animation across Telefilm’s entire continuum — from development to marketing — and to reflect the sustained growth of this sector within the audiovisual industry, both in Canada and abroad.”
In collaboration with national and international partners, Telefilm’s initiative “will highlight the excellence and creativity of Canadian animation while strengthening its export positioning,” the release said, adding this new approach is designed to encourage business development in the field of animation.
“The aim is not only to nurture artistic vision but also to maximize commercial potential by helping projects attract partners and distributors, especially international players,” Telefilm said.
Since 2017, Telefilm has invested $36.28 million in animation projects, it said. During that time, funding applications for animation have doubled, “testifying to the sector’s growing interest and dynamism,” Telefilm said. In the last seven years, Canadian animated films have ranked 10 times among the annual top 15 box-office earners, according to Telefilm.
Telefilm said the aim of its new initiative is to accelerate the development of “high-potential projects” and strengthen the competitiveness of Canadian animation, while engaging more audiences and expanding animation’s reach.
“Animation embodies our creativity, our capacity to innovate and bring generations together around powerful stories,” said Julie Roy, executive director and CEO of Telefilm Canada, in the press release. “With this initiative, Telefilm is reaffirming its commitment to animation as a national jewel by supporting creators at the earliest stages of the process. It’s also a way of looking to the future, of continuing to seduce, captivate and reach audiences of all generations at home and abroad. And lastly, it’s a strategic investment in a fast-growing sector that generates economic value while showcasing Canadian talent on the world stage.”
