Road to Annecy 2025 – East Africa edition is a flagship initiative supported by the French Embassy in Kenya and delivered in partnership with the Association of Animation Artists Kenya (A3K), Alliance Française Nairobi (AFN), and The Annecy International Animation Film Festival (MIFA Annecy).
The animation industry in East Africa is young and vibrant, yet the sector faces challenges such as limited distribution channels, fragmented networks, and a lack of market-readiness skills.
The programme aims to address those challenges by empowering studios with practical business skills and knowledge (pitching, distribution, etc), connecting them to global industry networks, and promoting collaboration across the region.
Programme’s objectives
➔ Facilitate access to international markets & buyers via a participation to MIFA in June 2025
➔ Equip studios with pitching, marketing, and monetization skills & knowledge
➔ Equip selected animation studios with skills to build sustainable business strategies
➔ Promote regional collaborations across East Africa.
What’s offered
✅ Annecy Film Festival East-African Delegation (in person, Annecy, 8-14 June 2025): attend MIFA, world’s biggest market for animation professionals, together with fellow East-African animation studios founders and directors
✅ Distribution Lab (in person, Nairobi, September 2025): master pitching, marketing & business strategy
✅ 6-month mentorship & masterclasses with industry experts from Africa & France
✅ Showcases (Oct 2025): spotlights during World Animation Day in Nairobi & beyond
Eligibility
● Studios must be based or originate in one of the following East African countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan, Erythreea
● Applicants must be an active and formalized animation studio
● Applicants must commit to participate to all phases of the program (Annecy, Lab, Mentorship, Showcase).
● At least one team member must hold a valid passport and be able to travel to France between June 9th and June 14th, 2025. This person must also be in their country of residence from May 21st onward to facilitate the visa application process.
● Applicants must either have an original intellectual property (IP) currently in development or have previously completed an original IP.
Obligations of selected participants
● Full participation in all program phases.
● Submission of a final narrative report after project completion, by the end of December 2025.
● Engagement in mentorship sessions and showcase events.
● Active participation in visibility activities (e.g. interviews, social media takeovers, etc.).
Calendar
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 7th May 2025 | Applications open |
| 19th May 2025 | Deadline for applications |
| 21st May 2025 | Selected studios announced |
| 23rd May 2025 | Virtual onboarding session |
| 21st May – 7th June 2025 | Visa application to France |
| 9th – 14th June 2025 | MIFA – Annecy Film Festival Participation |
| Summer 2025 | Virtual masterclasses |
| September 2025 | In person Animation Lab in Nairobi |
| Autumn 2025 | Mentorshop + Showcase in Nairobi, Lagos, and other cities |
Selection criteria
Applications will be evaluated by a jury of experts based on:
● Creative merit and artistic originality.
● Market potential and clarity of vision.
● Feasibility and readiness of the studio/team.
● Regional representation
Application Process
Interested studios must fill out the following application form on or before May 19th of 2025.
Remark: please kindly note that uncomplete applications, or applications submitted passed this deadline will be automatically disqualified.
A question?
Send an email to: [email protected] AND [email protected]
