2024 Annecy + Paris

Every year, I'm reminded that one of the greatest gifts animation has given me is the opportunity to build friendships and creative communities around the world.

Returning to Annecy with our SVA Animation students, alumni and faculty is always one of the highlights of my year. It's a chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new friends, celebrate incredible films and introduce our students to an industry that is as generous as it is inspiring. This year’s festival welcomed 17,400 attendees from 103 countries, I found myself celebrating SVA faculty, staff and alumni made their mark on this major weeklong event with their contributions to official film selections, talent panels, industry-exclusive screenings and networking opportunities. The colleagues that accompanied me included BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects, represented by chair Jimmy Calhoun (BFA 2003 Animation), and director of operations, Brian Frey; MFA Computer Arts, represented by director of operations Robert Campbell (MFA 2013 Fine Arts), administrative assistant Jack Meisterich and recent alumnus Ash Suh (MFA 2024 Computer Arts); and BFA Animation, represented by director of operations, Angelica Vergel; assistant to the chair, Diego Guanzon (BFA 2015 Animation); as well as faculty members Sachio Cook (BFA 2011 Animation) and Luz Batista (BFA 2014 Animation).

Throughout the week, our community explored screenings, exhibitions and studio presentations, shared conversations with artists from around the world, and cheered on the remarkable achievements of our alumni and friends. Watching our students confidently share their work, ask thoughtful questions and discover new possibilities for their future is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Sachio Cook worked as an animator for two animated shorts selected for this year’s festival: Mike Judge's Beavis & Butt-Head: Sleepover and Hulu IDs – Season 2: Exquisite Corpse, from Titmouse, the studio co-founded by Chris Prynoski (BFA 1994 Animation) and Shannon Prynoski (BFA 1994 Film and Video). “The most touching part of the experience was how enthusiastic my SVA colleagues were about watching these projects on the big screen with me,” Cook said. “I came away from this experience feeling incredibly supported and embraced by my SVA and Titmouse community.” Additionally, Prynoski and Titmouse CCO Antonio Canobbio presented Midnight Specials: WTF 2024. This screening features 15 animated gems created by 17 animators who push the boundaries of animation and storytelling, embodying the true theme of “WTF.” Joe Bennett (BFA 2008 Fine Arts), world-premiered his comedy series Common Side Effects, co-created with Steve Hely and produced by Adult Swim. Bennett and Hely were joined by Adult Swim’s president Michael Ouweleen, head of Original Comedy & Adult Animation Suzanna Makkos, and Bandera Entertainment President Dustin Davis for an in-depth conversation and Q&A about this special new series.

WIA (Women in Animation) World Summit, themed “Stronger Together: The Equitable Future of Animation,” sharing her experience with Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss as a showrunner, writer and creator. Medrano discussed technological advancements in the industry and shared her innovative practices and new methods of creating animation within new business models.

Additionally, in my role as one of the jurors for 2024 Pixelatl’s Shortway program, I mentored two filmmakers from Costa Rica to pitch at the La Liga—Iberoamericana Latin American Shorts, Feature Film, and Series Pitch at MIFA. “It’s very inspiring to be able to foster talent from all over the world, beyond SVA, to present and showcase stories inspired by their own cultures,” she said. “Roque Vásquez and Daniela Capo did an amazing job with their pitch, and I truly can’t wait to see their 3D animated short film, Agua Dulce.” 

This year’s trip concluded with visiting Paris after the festival along with Jimmy Calhoun. The goal was to deepen connections with the French animation industry. They visited several schools, including School Brassart - Paris, GOBELINS Paris & Annecy, and Paris College of Art, to discuss potential collaborations and exchange programs for SVA students. We also visited studios such as Mikros Animation and Superprod. Industry professionals shared their honest feedback and insights on how educators can better prepare students for industry readiness.

We are thrilled to return to Annecy each year as it connects SVA to the heart of the animation industry, where everyone gathers to share their passion. Our presence is vital not only for student and educational outreach but also for showcasing the important role SVA plays now and in the future. Experiences like these remind me that education isn't just about learning new skills. It's about discovering new perspectives, building meaningful relationships and finding a place within a creative community.