2001, 2003, 2005... 2007! The fourth edition of the ANIMA gets in motion!

2001 were the beginnings, and boy did we notice – it really is hard to begin from scratch. However, we felt that the need for a space in Argentina which would serve as a place to meet and exchange experiences among animators, and between animators and their audience, was stronger than the difficulties; and the ANIMA was born. 2003 and 2005 were inner searches. Who are we? Where are we off to? What are we doing? Is this thing “animation” or not? What’s animation, anyway? Can we sell this animation? Should we sell this animation? Is it worth studying animation? Many of those questions found their answer, many were left unsolved.

2007 will mark the moment when we begin to understand our identity. We come of age. And we come out of the closet to self – proclaim ourselves… ñandúes. Please, don’t mistake us for ostriches. The ñandú is similar, but it’s not the same. Its origin is different, its interests are different and it has lots of peculiarities. Such as the ANIMA, which is another animation festival but not just another animation festival. We are ñandúes. And proud ones. Enjoy us.

The contribution of digital technologies to every field of the audiovisual spectrum is undeniable. Changes have unavoidably been made in the ways in which productions are made, in the production times, in the way films are screened and in the way a working team is formed.

How have those changes affected the field of animation? Which are their peculiarities? Do new technologies bury, modify or reinterpret the traditional ways of making, thinking and / or watching animation? Because we think those questions need well thought answers, the fourth edition of the ANIMA will be dedicated to exploring the dichotomy high technology - manual craft.

We look forward to receiving your films, and of course we would love to meet you in ANIMA’07!

Yours in animation,

Alejandro R. Gonzalez
Artistic Director & Ñandú.

PS: There’s a more detailed explanation of why we consider ourselves ñandúes in here and here.