The animated films will be presented in cooperation of the International Association of Animated Films (ASIFA). Represented by its Egypt-headquartered Arab regional office, the leading umbrella organization that brings together several groups worldwide for the promotion of the art of animation, will contribute with films that focus on child environmental issues.
ASIFA’s Regional Director, Dr. Mohammed Ghazaleh said his organization will participate in two programs: one for short animated films for children and adults on the environment and environmental protection, and one for organizing a workshop on educating children on how animations are made by using environment friendly techniques and recycled material.
The two-hour long animation program will include a collection of varied films from around the world in addition to contributions by ASIFA’s members. The films are solely dedicated to the environment and nature. Other films cover themes such as the recycling of industrial waste in ASIFA’s projects. One is a long African film entitled “The Myth of the Kingdom of Heavens” whose production design used solely raw household consumed waste. The program will also screen a number of animated cartoons produced by UNESCO’s workshops in Africa that dealt with the protection of the environment and celebration of nature.
“We’re willing to participate in this festival that advocates an important and innovative mission for our Arab world: celebrating the environment,” said Dr. Ghazaleh stressing the consensus among all concerned, that the Festival’s aim is to raise public awareness.
“The diversity of our programs will reflect the richness of this part of the world,” he said.
Dr. Ghazaleh is looking forward to a program full of animated films produced by ASIFA’s artists, who are from many different cultures; although, Ghazaleh said, Arabic and African animated cartoons will be celebrated in particular, as “we are representing this region, understand its natural environment, and care to present those films that are closest to our environment and identity.”
As for the children’s workshop, Ghazaleh said it will be run by professional ASIFA artists who are experienced in dealing with children. “They will teach the children how to technically create cartoon movies, as a way of expressing their ideas about the environment and warning us of its problems.”
“It’s no secret, our Middle Eastern children are spending a great deal of their time watching foreign televised cartoons, that can present alien cultures. Our regional office here will celebrate local production and encourage Arab artists,” he said.
He underlined that these types of films are probably needed by “around one million Arab children”.
ASIFA’s participation is anticipated to attract many children, especially the children of the festival guests, to learn animation techniques, and to try, throughout the workshop, to produce a collective whole animated film that will in turn be screened at the end of the Festival.
ASIFA-Egypt was established in 2008 in Alexandria as the first Arab and African branch of the organization. Its mandate is to connect between animation artists in the Arab world, and those around the globe. It has invited many international animators to present workshops and films in several Arab and African countries, in similar festivals, events and workshops. It now has collaborative partnerships with academies and training centres in the Middle East and Africa.
By Ameinfo
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