09/06/2005

At the Annecy Animation Film Festival, the National Film Centre (CNC) published its annual report on the economic sector and the public aid that supports their activities. The results underline the return to form of the production of audiovisual works of animation with a total of 330 hours of TV supported in 2004 (+ 58,7 % from 2003). With investments at an all time high representing a total of 193,9 million euros, the TV animation sector registered last year a progression in aid from COSIP (fast-track aid) overseen by the CNC (28,7 M€) and new dynamism from the TV networks (in particular France 3) with regards to financing, having invested 70,7 M€ in 2004 in animation against 47,1 in 2003.

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From a cinéma point of view, the CNC last year supported six feature films at the development stage to the tune of 374 000 euros: La jeune fille, le diable et le moulin (produced by Les films Pelleas), La Peur du noir (Prima Linea Productions), La Planète des vents (Denis Friedman Productions), Zana et le baobab (Panama Productions), I.T, les intra-terrestres (109 Films Production) and Une vie de chat (produced by Jean-Louis Felicioli). As for selective aid to production, the Advance On Receipts choose three features: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (2 4 7 Films), U by Serge Elissalde (Prima Linea Productions) and Mia et le Migou by Jacques-Rémy Girerd (Folimage). Finally, four animated films were admitted access to the automatic fund: U (5,25 M€ de budget), Renaissance by Christian Volckman (Onyx Films/ Budget de 14,03 M€), Quatre souvenirs de Kirikou from the duo Michel Ocelot – Bénédicte Gallup (Les Armateurs/ 4,81 M€ budget) and Arthur by Luc Besson (EuropaCorp/ an astonishing budget of 65,2 M€).

The animated shorts were not forgotten, as the CNC awarded 360 000 euros to 8 films, 29 000 euros to three films in post production and 142 000 euros for three projects under a programme to support the most dynamic businesses. There were also various awards for technology, research and multimedia innovation (3,1 M€ for 15 projects), video, export, promotion and education... a wide range of support that gives French animation a vital lift in a sector that is both very competitive sector and ever-changing.

(Translated from French)