Il Festival di Annecy sigla un accordo triennale per dare impulso all’industria dell’animazione saudita

The Saudi Arabian animation industry is set to benefit massively from a partnership between the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) and Cité de l’Image en Mouvement et des Industries Créatives (CITIA), the organizers of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world’s largest annual animation festival launched since 65 years.

The three-year strategic partnership, underpinned by an MoU signed in Jeddah on December 9 by RSIFF CEO Faisal Baltyuor and Mickaël Marin, CEO CITIA, Annecy International Animation Film Festival & MIFA, aims to strengthen collaboration in the global animation industry, support talent development, foster animation excellence, build the Saudi industry and expand cultural exchange between the Kingdom, France and the international animation ecosystem. It also opens up opportunities for Saudi animators to participate in Marché International du Film d’Animation (MIFA), a major industry market held alongside the Annecy Festival, for networking and business.

The partnership will also see an annual ‘Best of Annecy’ animation festival held at Culture Square, with open-air screenings, children’s workshops and family-friendly programming.

In addition,it opens up opportunities for animated Saudi short and feature films to be showcased at Annecy and begins an exploration of a dedicated animation programming section within RSIFF.

From 2026, an animation-focused industry panel will form part of the Red Sea Souk and a collaboration between Red Sea Labs and CITIA’s professional development ecosystem will establish workshops, masterclasses, mentorship programs and student & emerging-talent exchange programs. RSIFF and Annecy teams will also explore opportunities for talent development, co-production opportunities and open up international market access. A RSIFF delegation will participate at Annecy, in partnership with the Saudi Film Commission.

“The mix of programming exchange, education, market initiatives and public engagement activities which this partnership brings to both Festivals is an incredible opportunity for not just the Saudi, but the global animation industry,” said RSIFF CEO, Faisal Baltyuor. “The agreement positions Jeddah and Annecy as two global hubs working together to empower global creatives in the animation sector”.

The multi-year, renewable partnership offers an amazing opportunity to foster long-term cooperation in the animation sector, support talent development and professional training and delivers unprecedented opportunities in the global animation space.

For more about RSIFF 2025, visit www.redseafilmfest.com or download the RSIFF Mobile app on Apple App Store and Google Play.

About Red Sea International Film Festival

The Red Sea IFF is a grand celebration of film, bringing the best of world cinema to Jeddah. Over the past four editions, the Festival has premiered critically acclaimed award-winning filmmakers and films, classic cinema, and a spotlight on films from underrepresented voices, underscoring the Festival’s commitment to cinematic excellence and bridging cultures.

The Festival has garnered significant recognition, winning many awards for best cultural and film events. It has achieved massive publicity, reaching millions of audiences worldwide, with thousands of press attendees. Regarded as Saudi Arabia’s highest-profile and most anticipated event, the Festival has captured the attention and acclaim of renowned industry figures worldwide and has been attended by tens of thousands of accredited visitors.

As the largest celebration of cinema and culture in the MENA region, the Festival features exciting new films on the big screen, alongside retrospective programs celebrating cinema masters, the latest Saudi films, feature and short film competitions, industry events, and masterclasses (In Conversations).

For ten exhilarating days (December 4-13), the Festival will transform the historic Jeddah Old Town, Al-Balad, into a cinematic wonderland, captivating film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and global audiences alike for its upcoming fifth edition. Al Balad is recognized as a UNESCO site that offers a captivating cultural experience reflecting the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia.

Available for iOS users on the Apple App Store and Android users on Google Play, the Red Sea Film app is the official digital companion for festival attendees, offering an all-in-one platform to explore, plan and experience the Festival with ease.

TESTO IN ITALIANO SU ANIMATION MAGAZINE QUI.