**Key Points:**
– WIA (Women in Animation) announced the selection of five delegates for the 2024 cohort of Stories x Women.
– The initiative’s primary aim is to surge diversity in the 3D animation world, with a particular emphasis on female animators from emerging national film sectors.
– The program’s focus regions include Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
– Stories X Women is a concerted effort to provide more international opportunities for women animators by breaking through barriers and biases.
– Skwigly Animation Magazine reported the news.
And, Now the Hot Take…
Bloody Brilliant, WIA!
Breaking Through Barriers and Biases Like a Boss
In this animated version of “Charlie’s Angels,” WIA is Bosley, always there to equip our super-talented, criminally-underrepresented women animators with the right tools—here, international opportunities—to kick ass, especially those from lesser-represented regions. Calling it just a ramp up for diversity would be under-selling it; it’s more like a turbocharged 3D rocket fuelling the future femme fatales of the animation world. And as long as WIA continues to be the caffeine that helps these talented ladies pull all-nighters washing away the aura of the male-dominated industry, we can chillax, knowing the animation sector is heading towards the finish line of the Diversity Grand Prix. Watch out, boys, the ladies aren’t just catching up—they’re ready to overtake!
The Women in Animation (WIA) has proudly introduced their top five teams for the 2024 Stories x Women initiative. This program offers a platform for increased diversity within the global animation industry by giving access to international opportunities for women animators hailing from emerging territory within national film and audio-visual animation communities. This includes artists from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America who have unique stories they wish to share. The program is endorsed by The Walt Disney Company and UNESCO.
These selected talents will gain from intensified mentoring sessions from world-renowned animation specialists; individual coaching sessions, and opportunities to pitch their unique projects in the forthcoming Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (MIFA). The teams will be pitching their projects on Tuesday, June 11 from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. CEST at the Impérial Palace in the Haendel Room.
A total of over 140 applications were received from 30 countries, breaking down as follows:
- 11 African countries
- 10 Latin American countries
- 9 Asia-Pacific countries
Here are the chosen teams, in alphabetical order:
- AIMÓ (AIMO) – Brazil. An exciting new project led by Fernanda Alves Salgado (with Giuliana Danza)
- The Human and the Android – Indonesia. Introducing a fascinating project led by Theresa Cornelia
- Jaé Natal! (S’up Xmas) – Brazil. A cheerful holiday project led by Camila Padhila (with Roger Keesse)
- Karetabla – Argentina. An inventive project led by Maria Rosario Carlino (with Carlos Zerpa)
- OARONA – South Africa. A captivating project led by Thandiwe Mlauli (with Angel Pitre)
Mainly focused on promoting women creators, the inaugural call of Stories x Women was open for team registrations including at least one woman as a project leader (producer, director, or screenwriter).
Marge Dean, WIA President expresses her pride as the Stories x Women program steps into its third year, casting light on the skilled animation creators from underrepresented sectors in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. She appreciates the consistent backing from Disney and welcomes UNESCO as a new partner supporting animation within developing industries.
Dean appreciates the collaborative efforts towards supporting women creators, a sentiment shared by UNESCO and Disney.
Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture emphasizes on UNESCO’s belief that empowering women creators is a pivotal step towards achieving cultural diversity, equality, and sustainable societies.
Meredith Roberts, Executive Vice President of Television Animation at Disney Branded Television, affirms that supporting women in animation is instrumental for Disney in empowering the next generation of storytellers. This aids in ensuring that a multitude of voices, cultures, and perspectives are centered around animation, pushing for enriched narratives and connecting with global audiences.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/wia-selects-five-teams-for-2024-stories-x-women-program/