Azerbaijan Animation Association at the Annecy Festival

From June 8 to 14, 2025, members of the Azerbaijan Animation Association are participating in the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the MIFA market, held in the city of Annecy, France — the largest animation festival in the world. The Association’s chairman, Rashid Agamaliev, stated:

“We have been cooperating with the Annecy Festival since 2018. Through this partnership, we have introduced Azerbaijani animation to the world, and we have also enabled the winners of the local competition of the ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival to travel to the Annecy Festival. In 2023, the animated film “Hadis” competed at Annecy. I consider our collaboration with the Annecy Festival to be strategic for the local film industry.”

This year, the Azerbaijan Animation Association is represented at the Annecy Festival by co-founder and director Nazrin Aghamalieva, and Association member and ANIMAFILM Festival manager Aydan Kazimzade. Their trip was made possible with support from the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA).

Animation director Zakhrakhanim Guluzade is also attending the Annecy Festival. Her participation became possible after her film “While Overthinking” won the “Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film” award at the 7th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival. This award is traditionally presented with the support of the ANIMAFILM Festival, the Annecy Festival, the French Embassy in Azerbaijan, and the French Institute.

During the visit, members of the Association met with renowned animation professionals, attended screenings and premieres of various animated films, and held meetings with directors of animation studios, distributors, film funds, and international festivals at the MIFA market. They exchanged ideas for potential future collaborations.