Ahead of the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA) in France, five Nigerian project holders have been selected for partner pitches.
They include; Racheal Afor, Oluwatitomi Olawole, Adeoye Adetunji, Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie, and Ewhomazino John Oporiopo. As the top five finalists with the most outstanding creative animation projects in Nigeria, they will represent the country at this year’s edition of MIFA in France, where they will pitch their projects during the festival’s 2025 edition.
Recognized as the premier global event for animated films, the Annecy International Film Festival takes place annually in the city of Annecy, nestled in the French Alps. It brings together over 17,000 industry professionals from across the globe.
For the 2025 edition, MIFA has once again turned their spotlight on Nigeria. Their commitment to fostering emerging talent from the country is a reflection of the growing influence of Nigeria’s animation sector on the job market and national economy.
In anticipation of the 2025 festival, and in partnership with Animation Nigeria, the French Embassy, and the Institut français in Nigeria, a competitive pitching workshop was organised in Lagos last month. Five Nigerian animation studios emerged as winners and were awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the festival. These studios will pitch their projects to a global audience as part of the market’s focus on Nigeria.
Véronique Encrenaz, head of MIFA, and Sylvain Grain, head of MIFA Talent Projects shared: “For several years, MIFA has maintained a close watch on the evolution of the animation industry across the African continent, with Nigeria consistently distinguishing itself through its remarkable creative dynamism. The MIFA Campus workshops, conducted in collaboration with both local and French partners, have provided valuable insight into the presence of highly talented creators within the country. These engagements have also underscored the necessity for structured and sustained support to equip these professionals for the rigors of an increasingly competitive global market. MIFA remains committed to fostering this talent by encouraging the refinement of their artistic expression and narrative approach, thereby enabling them to emerge from the process better prepared and more resilient in the face of international industry standards”.
For the fourth consecutive year, the French Embassy in Nigeria is providing a dedicated national pavilion for Nigerian animation studios at MIFA. Organised in collaboration with Animation Nigeria, the stand will showcase more than 20 studios, offering them the opportunity to pitch their projects to French and international industry stakeholders.
Christophe Pécot, Regional Audiovisual Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, stated: “This marks the fourth time our support for the Nigerian animation industry has been made possible through targeted funding. This year, the ‘Création Africa’ program enables us again to support entrepreneurship within the cultural and creative industries. Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for an 18-month period, the initiative is focused on building capacity and fostering professional development in the sector. Since 2022, three Franco-Nigerian co-productions have been signed. We hope that, once again this year, our efforts will help foster new collaborations”.
Mbuotidem Johnson, representative of Animation Nigeria, expressed his appreciation:“As a network of skilled professionals, Animation Nigeria is deeply grateful for our ongoing partnership with the French government, which has played a vital role in nurturing the local animation industry and creating significant opportunities for our members. This collaboration has allowed us to showcase our work on the global stage and positioned Nigerian animation prominently on the world map. It has also facilitated training in critical skills and enhanced collaboration within the industry. Through these efforts, the perception of Nigerian animation is changing — and the world is taking notice. Our inclusion in the Annecy focus on Nigeria is a testament to that progress. As the African proverb goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ We recognize that you have been a major part of our village, and for that, we are truly grateful.”
