‘Animahenasyon’ celebrates PHL animation industry

ACPI aims for PHL to be prime provider of original content creation services

(Manila, Philippines, November 22, 2012) — Animation skills and creative imagination are the cornerstones of the animation industry. Sketches and scribbles come to life when an animator possesses both. “Animahenasyon 2012: 6th Philippine Animation Festival”, organized by the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), celebrates both.

Animahenasyon, which is a combination of “animation” and the Filipino translation for “imagination”, will be held November 26-29, 2012 at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in Manila. Students from different schools all over the Philippines, as well as industry players and decision-makers from the academe, government, and local and international animation companies are expected to attend the event.

Animahenasyon, ACPI’s annual flagship project which started in 2007, will feature the animated works of professional and amateur Filipino animators. The event will also serve as a venue to conduct workshops, exhibits, conferences, and screenings of music videos, title sequences, public information, demo reels, and TV series. Films from Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, UK, and US will also be shown during the exhibit program of Animahenasyon.

Toon Bro Animation Studio’s “Breathe Life Into Imagination: Benilde’s Animation Program” will be the opening film, while Nick Deocampo’s “Film: American Beginnings of Philippine Cinema” will cap the four-day screening.

The conference will also feature speakers from international studios and thought leaders in the animation industry, including Aj Siytangco of Lucas Films Animation-Singapore; Armand Serrano of Sony Pictures Animation-California, USA; Alan Holst, Cultural Affairs Head of the US Embassy-Manila; Nick Deocampo of Center for New Cinema; Atty. Ricardo Blancaflor of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines; Karen Ocampo Flores of the Filipino Visual Arts and Design Rights Organization (FILVADRO); and Tom Stratford of Crytek-UK.

According to ACPI president Grace Dimaranan, Animahenasyon will serve as a stage for Filipino animators to showcase their talent and skills in animation. “The Filipino animator can compete with the best in the world. Doors are opening for better opportunities for career growth without having to leave their homeland,” she said.

“There are more and more brilliant local animators who are stepping up and making their own films. This is a trend that I know would gain great momentum soon,” said Blog Caliguia, who won the Outstanding Emerging Artist in Animation Award for 2012. “Animahenasyon is a step toward the right direction since the festival promotes the Filipino ‘brand’ in animation.”

“There is a huge potential for the Philippine animation industry. Animahenasyon will show the world why the Philippines should be considered a prime destination of animation services and production of original content,” said Dimaranan.

For more information about Animahenasyon, visit http://www.animahenasyon.com/.

About the Business Processing Association of the Philippines
The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is the umbrella association for the IT-BPO and GIC (Global In-House Center) industry in the Philippines. BPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 300 industry and support-industry members, including five associations—theAnimation Council of the Philippines, Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, and Philippine Software Industry Association—BPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPO and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

BPAP assists investors in setting up operations easily and quickly in the Philippines. Relevant research, introductions to key government and industry officials, and a series of briefings at each step of the investment process ensure a seamless development process. On-going support is provided through a wide variety of initiatives, including programs for HR development, business development, and on-going knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.