Guillermo del Toro and Jorge R. Gutiérrez to Honor Mexican Animation at Annecy Festival

By: MRT Desk

Published on:

Guillermo del Toro and Jorge R. Gutiérrez have been announced as the directors of the tribute to Mexican animation at the Annecy Festival. This festival is one of the most important events in the animation industry and is a gathering point for professionals, students, and animation lovers from all over the world. Mexico is the guest of honor at the 2023 edition of the Annecy Festival, and more than 250 animators and producers of Mexican nationality will attend.

Jorge R. Gutiérrez, the director of the hit animated film The Book of Life, and whose Netflix series Maya y los tres won four Emmys and an Annie, is the artist behind the Festival’s poster and business cards. He will also give a Master Class and screen The Book of Life. On the other hand, Guillermo del Toro’s film Pinocchio won the Oscar for Best Animated Film this year, and there will be a special screening of it at the festival. Del Toro will also lead a Master Class.

Mexican animation has made its way in the medium stronger and stronger, particularly in stop motion. From a very strong contingent of stop motion animators emerged groups in Mexico City, Monterrey, and other cities, which finally began to be recognized in festivals around the world. Mexican cinema is best represented by dozens of brilliant animators who participate in short films or lend their talents to films from DreamWorks, Sony, Disney, and others.

The Annecy Festival’s official competition presents short films, feature films, television films, and web productions in various categories such as 2D, 3D, stop-motion animation, and more. The festival’s most prestigious awards are the Cristal de Annecy for Best Short Film and the Cristal de Annecy for Best Feature Film. Additionally, the festival offers special screenings, retrospectives, workshops, conferences, and round tables. It is also a showcase for animation studios and production companies, who present their projects and works in progress.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the festival is not limited to screenings in Annecy. Through her “Annecy Goes to Cannes” initiative, a selection of animated short films are shown at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, bringing animation to a wider audience.

Leave a Comment