Animation DayASIFA --- Association Internationale du Film d’Animation --- is the only international non-profit organization for animation in the world. ASIFA aims to promote animation art globally and to attain international friendship and mutual understanding through the development of animation.
ASIFA was founded in 1960 by masters of animation, including Norman McLaren, John Hubley, Paul Grimault, Ivan Ivanov Vano, Karel Zeman, Alexander Alexeieff, Lev Atamanov, Jiri Trnka, John Halas, etc., and it' s headquarter is registered in Annecy, France.
Today, approximately 5000 animation artists and professionals are active ASIFA Members, and unfold their activities for the promotion and development of animation via mutual co-operation world-wide. ASIFA is an international organization composed of individual members, but members are allowed to set up its Group in their country or region to enhance its activities. Today, there are more than 40 National/Regional Groups & Offices throughout the world.
ASIFA-Japan was established on December 22nd, 1981, by 22 starting members including prominent animation filmmakers such as Taiji Yabushita, Osamu Tezuka, Renzo Kinoshita, Tadahito Mochinaga, Kihachiro Kawamoto, Yoji Kuri, etc. ASIFA-Japan is organized in accordance with the rules and regulations of ASIFA.
This year, ASIFA-Japan will be 30 years old, and the current 64 members are consisted of the leading animation artists and animation professionals in Japan.
Main activities of ASIFA-Japan include organizing Hiroshima International Animation Festival, biennially, together with the City of Hiroshima and The Hiroshima City of the Future Foundation, and the annual celebration of International Animation Day -- October 28th --, etc.
Hiroshima International Animation Festival was founded by Renzo and Sayoko Kinoshita in 1985, and it is an over-all cultural manifestation consisted of international competition, special screenings, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, educational film market and so on. Sayoko Kinoshita, President of ASIFA-Japan and Vice-President of ASIFA, has been serving as the festival director since its first edition. Hiroshima Festival has been recognized as one of the top-notch high quality festivals of the world because of its excellent programs and organization. It is also known as the place where new talents are discovered and recruited, and thus, animation professionals as well as every corner of media give their highest attentions.
The next 14th International Animation Festival in Japan - HIROSHIMA 2012 will be held from August 23rd to 27th , 2012.We are planning to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ASIFA-Japan during HIROSHIMA 2012.
Link
ASIFA
Hiroshima International Animation Festival Office