Two weeks later, reflecting on the incredible week of Festival international du film d'animation d'Annecy.
As a nervous Annecy first timer, travelling alone, I was blown away by the warmth, kindness and enthusiasm of every single person that graciously shared their time with me.
There is no other event like it. To (literally) run into old friends and meet new friends from every corner of the globe, all pulled together by the love of the craft of animation, from students to professionals, start up studios to Hollywood behemoths.. Annecy is for everyone, and it is MAGIC.
Living in a post-pandemic world, where so many people are working remotely, or sadly between jobs, you cannot understate the value, energy and reinvigorating joy of connection that this event brings.
I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those who kindly gave me their time, shared their stories and filled up my social cup!
Looking at you: Troy Quane, Luciano A. Muñoz Sessarego, Animation Scotland, Lori Beck, Bridget Dash, Dara McGarry, Heather Lanza, Vicki Haworth, Karen Ryan, Braiden Asciak, Ken Anderson, Emmanuelle Aubeau, Alex Hanson, Debra Smith-Moorshead, Jeremy Moorshead, Mark Flanagan, Stephanie Quinn, Adrien C., Milan Kolar, Dee Coureau, J.P. Vine, Annwhitney McCombs, Marina Soto, Rob Coleman, Natalie Busuttil, the gang at Floating Rock Studio, Rob Doherty (against my better judgement), Karina Stanford-Smith, Gustavo Branger, Marcos Martín, Suleyman Yazki, Dan Dixon, Iain Gardner, Kaydee de Villiers, Peter Gal, Dylan Kurp, Michael Lim, Kara Oropallo, and Philippe Denis who taught me to play Pétanque!
See you next year!