Stories x Women launched in 2022 as a collaborative program between WIA and FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations). The program’s goal is to support access to international opportunities for women creatives from emerging animation communities of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and, ultimately, to increase the diversity of voices in animation.
Each year, delegates from eligible markets are selected to benefit from a series of mentoring and coaching sessions led by internationally acclaimed animation experts that will prepare them to pitch their projects at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market.
Benefits
All participant expenses are paid for by the program, including travel, lodging, and accreditations.
Eligibility
The call is open to up to two team members, which must include at least one woman or nonbinary person who is designated as the “Lead Project Holder”.
The Lead Project Holder must be the director and/or the screenwriter and/or the producer of the project and, if applying as a team of two (2), must be able to demonstrate a shared history of co-writing and co directing the project.
The Lead Project Holder must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries/markets.
Project holder(s) must have a ready-to-pitch project, whether for an animated feature, for an animated documentary film, or for an animated series project. A ready-to-pitch project is defined as a project in advanced development – i.e. with significant creative material already in place – or at pre-production stage.
Project holder(s) must have reached majority of age in their respective country/market of citizenship and must have reached the age of 18 years.
Project holder(s) must possess sufficient English skills to fully enjoy the benefits of the program, including its mentorship session and opportunities of pitches and networking in Annecy.
Project holder(s) must be able to attend the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market from June 9 to 15, 2025 and must commit to attending all virtual mentorship sessions before Annecy.
Stories x Women strongly encourages applications from communities that have been historically less visible. In particular, they encourage applications from Indigenous people, disabled people, and those who identify as LGB+.
This Program, its applicants, and all selected to participate are subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in the applicable commensurate jurisdictions.
