Animation! Unveils Selected Projects for 2024 Mentorship Program Aimed at Latin American Female Directors (EXCLUSIVE)
Animation! has announced the winners of its 2024 Mentorship Program designed specifically for Latin American female animation directors.
No one country was singled out, as projects from five countries took the honors.
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“The global convergence of creativity in this year’s selection truly signifies the universal language of animated storytelling,” said Animation! manager Silvina Cornillón. “From the vibrant 3D animation of ‘Jaé, Natal! (’S’up, Xmas!’) capturing the spirit of a tropical Christmas in Brazil to the enchanting 2D adventures of ‘Juno, Diario de una Bicicleta (‘Juno, A Bike’s Diary’) in Peru, each project brings a unique flavor to the world of animation.”
She added: “’La Tierra Prometida’ (‘The Promised Land’) from Argentina explores environmental themes through stop motion, while ‘Los Tesoros De Marta’ (‘The Treasures Of Marta’9 in Chile combines comedy with the journey of misfit children searching for treasures. Lastly, ‘Phoebe. La Novata Mágica (‘Phoebe. The Magical Newbie’) from Mexico, blending hybrid animation techniques, promises a delightful mix of fantasy and comedy.”
This marks the fourth consecutive year of the program, which is supported by the Institut Français d’Argentine, the Annecy Festival’s MIFA market and the Quirino Awards for Ibero-American Animation.
Since its inception in 2020, the program has focused on gender equity in the animation industry and promoting the representation of Latin American stories internationally. Over the past three years, 15 projects have benefited from the initiative, yielding positive outcomes for both the creators and mentors involved.
These projects will undergo training by experts in production, scriptwriting, and pitching. The aim is to not only strengthen the projects but also enhance the directors’ communication skills for presenting at the all important international markets and events. Former mentee Paula de Abreu (“Ray and Manny,”) has spoken in the past of “Having to go in front of a crowd and talk about the project is so hard. It takes a lot of social energy and a lot of practice in the mirror to be able to make those pitches.”
In addition to the mentorship, the directors will attend masterclasses by renowned specialists and interact with leading industry figures for feedback on their projects. A significant benefit of this program is the collaboration with the Quirino Awards for Ibero-American Animation, granting the five projects accreditations, to participate in the well regarded Quirino Awards Co-production Forum in Tenerife.
A standout project will be chosen to present at the MIFA 2024 in the special section Focus La Liga, courtesy of the partnership with the Annecy International Animation Festival and its MIFA market.
The program comes full circle, with directors pitching in person at Ventana Sur 2024.
Variety profiles the five selected projects and talent behind them:
“S’up, Xmas!” (“Jaé, Natal!” Camila Padilha, Brazil)
From the Brazilian Coqueirão Pictures comes “S’up, Xmas!,” a 90-minute 3D animated feature film blending comedy with family-friendly storytelling. Directed by the Camila Padilha, known for her viral comics and storyboard expertise on projects like “Hello Kitty” and “Turma da Mônica,” this feature film transports viewers to the island of Araponga, where Carnival reigns supreme. The story unfolds as Cora, the daughter of King Momo, introduces the concept of a traditional North American Christmas to the island, only to witness the revellers transforming it into a unique Tropical Christmas. The film promises a mix of humor and cultural fusion.
“Juno, A Bikes Diary,” (“Juno, Diario De Una Bicicleta,” Paola Calderón Vega, Peru)
A series from Peru’s Cuatromonos, brings to life an enchanting world of adventure and fantasy. This 25-episode series, each lasting 11 minutes, is crafted in 2D animation and helmed by Paola Calderón Vega, an art director recognized for her work in set design on acclaimed projects such as “Orange” and “Greta’s Journal.” The series explores the magical transformation of a bicycle into an 11-year-old girl, Juno, who embarks on everyday life challenges with her talking squirrel friend, Alem. This series is a unique blend of whimsical storytelling and imaginative visuals, looking to appeal to those eight years old and above.
“The Promised Land” (“La Tierra Prometida,” Paula Verrua, Argentina)
This eight-episode series, each episode four minutes long, is a stop-motion gem by director Paula Verrua, an alum of the National University of Córdoba, whose student piece “Monoambiente” went to the Animart Festival. The series, produced by Argentina’s Pururú Studio, narrates the journey of three friends – Huillín, Chipi, and Guazú – as they traverse towards a natural reserve amidst environmental challenges. Their adventure underscores the power of friendship and resilience, aimed at young audiences aged 3-6.
“The Treasures Of Marta” (“Los Tesoros De Marta,” Antonia Venegas González, Chile)
From Chile’s Supahpure Studios, the series looks a vibrant blend of humor and adventure, rendered in 2D animation. It follows three misfit children, Alejandro, Fernanda, and Tito, who are sent to the city’s least esteemed scout group. Using the journal of Marta, the founder of their clan, they embark on a quest to discover true treasures and learn vital life lessons about friendship, nature, and teamwork. Targeting an audience of 8 to 12-year-olds, this series showcases González’s passion for animation and character design having begun her journey “scribbling in the margins of school notebooks.”
“Phoebe. The Magical Newbie” (“Phoebe. La Novata Mágica,” Irais Guzmán Hernández, Mexico)
Mexico’s Banzai Studio introduces a fantasy-comedy series of 20 episodes, each 11 minutes long. Directed by Irais Guzmán “Titi” Hernández, co-founder of Banzai Studio. It revolves around Phoebe, a young girl threatened with expulsion from her sisterhood unless she retrieves lost magical objects misused by the inhabitants of Jou Jou City. Accompanied by an ironic grandmother, a skittish donut-boy, and a stubborn magical book, Phoebe’s quest leads to more chaos than solutions.
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