Taking Your First Steps – Chances and Challenges for Young Animation Talents in Europe

Everywhere in the world, young talents need to be supported in order to learn and grow. Ideally, the best way to get your work recognised after film school is to develop your skills and experience in small steps: from commissioned short films to medium-long TV specials or mini-series, then finally to feature-length films or longer series formats. But how is real life for new talents in directing or production? Do they have the chance to grow on, and within, the jobs?

The panel will explore the chances and support for young animation talents in countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland and Germany. We will discuss the differences and explore available opportunities. What kinds of financial support can newbies access? Are there existing TV programmes that support emerging talents or offer easy access to young directors? Are producers open to working with young talents? And what programmes are available to help young talents to blossom and reach their full potential? 

Moderator

Annegret Richter, AG Animationsfilm (German Animation Association)

Panelists

Junaid Chundrigar, Animation director, 2D-Animator and illustrator at ImaJunation, Netherlands

Maja Gehrig, Animation director and founder of Gehrig Trick & Son, Zurich, Switzerland

Robert Sowa, Animation director and graphic artist, director of Animation Film Studio, Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland