China is announced as the guest country for this year's Annecy 2017, which will feature remarkable examples of Chinese animation such as "Princess Iron Fan" (pictured). (Photo : YouTube Screenshot)
Annecy 2017, this year’s installment of the world’s largest gathering of animation professionals and enthusiasts, is set to invite China as its guest country. Impressive gains in the Chinese animation industry are set to attract attention from audiences around the world.
Estimated to host more than 9,000 guests, this year's Annecy dedicates an exhibition at Chateau d'Annecy for three new Chinese animated features, alongside other animation art from China. Artists like Sun Xun, Haiyang Wang, Chao Wu, and Weilun Xia will have their works featured, said Cartoon Brew.
The festival also slates 12 screenings featuring works by Chinese animators. Among those include China's classic animated film "Princess Iron Fan," alongside historical and documentary features on some of the country's most prominent figures in animation and innovations in the field.
In an Animation Magazine feature, Marcel Jean, the festival's artistic director, said that the festival has prepared to showcase the essence of Chinese animation to the world, with the view to unravel its potential through both historical and contemporary works by some of China's most talented animators.
Jean added further praise for China's up-and-coming status as an influential force in animation, saying that the festival has worked with European experts in the field to help feature the "rich and varied" works of Chinese animators in a circumspective light.
The festival will also feature Chao Wu, a young Chinese filmmaker, as part of the jury that will select winners of its prestigious awards. Chao is a bachelor in visual art degree-holder at the Fine Arts College in Sichuan, and she also has a master's degree in Fine Arts College from the école Nationale Supérieure d'art.
China's presence in the festival is also set to have considerable prominence in the MIFA film market, through a delegation organized by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China (SARFT).
