Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Deadline: May 19, 2025
The French Embassy Road to Annecy 2025 initiative is now accepting applications from East African animation studios looking to showcase their creative talent on an international stage. This program is designed to support emerging studios in preparing for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival—the world’s premier animation event held annually in France. It is a golden opportunity for studios in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia to receive tailored support, mentorship, and access to international markets.
Organized by the French Embassy in Kenya and Somalia, in partnership with industry stakeholders, this initiative – French Embassy Road to Annecy 2025 is part of France’s broader commitment to supporting cultural and creative industries across Africa.
Programme 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.
Benefits
Selected animation studios will receive:
- 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
SEE ALSO: Standard Chartered Ghana Women in Tech Incubator Program 2025
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Road to Annecy 2025, applicants must:
- 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.).
Deadline: Submit your application by 19th May 2025.
