President of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority and of the Media Council Monika Karas announced at a press conference on Thursday on behalf of the delegation representing Hungary that three competition titles and over 250 works will be showcased at the 15th International Animation Festival Hiroshima. Ambassador of Japan in Hungary Tadamichi Yamamoto was also in attendance at the press conference.

President Monika Karas highlighted that Hungarian animation films were an integral part of Hungarian culture, going on to say that “titles made today will be the emblematic films of tomorrow, defining parts and memories for the culture of future generations". “The invitation is a huge recognition of Hungarian animation filmmakers, for the entire animation film industry, which turns 100 this year, and for our entire nation”.

At the press conference, ambassador of Japan in Hungary Tadamichi Yamamoto said that “the Japanese government regards the presentation of Hungarian animation, helmed by President Karas, at the festival is a great honour, which will further reinforce cultural ties between our countries, based on mutual interest and curiosity. This is an old dream come true for me, and I am sure that the Hungarian entries will wow the Japanese audience.”

Managing director of Kecskemétfilm Kft. Ferenc Mikulás, who has been overseeing the showcasing and presentation of Hungarian animation films abroad for years, will be involved in the selection of films and organisation.  He has been chosen to be part of the six-member judging panel at the festival this year. Tamás Kollarik, member of the Media Council, coordinates the large organisation team. Sponsors include the Ministry for Human Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hungarian Academy of Arts, the Hungarian National Film Fund, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Magyar Turizmus Zrt., the Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund and the Hungarian National Digital Archive.

The Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority runs the Hungarian Media Patronage programme, in the context of which it supports the creation and promotion of outstanding Hungarian films on an international scale. The Macskássy Gyula tender has doled out HUF 488 million in subsidies for a total of 75 animation titles since 2011, and the Dargay just launched will support series with a budget of HUF 250 million. Films created with support have already achieved success on the festival scene: three titles created under patronage received awards at the 2013 Kecskemét Animation Film Festival (including the the cartoon series entitled Egy komisz kölyök naplója (A Bad Boy's Diary), created by Kossuth Award laureate Líviusz Gyulai).

International Animation Festival Hiroshima

The International Animation Festival Hiroshima is one of the key events in animation alongside the Annecy, Ottawa, Kecskemét and Zagreb animation festivals and is held every other year. The festival, is supported by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA), subscribes to the motto of “Love and Peace”. The International Selection Committee has chosen 59 competition titles from 20 countries from the total of 2217 entries submitted from 74 countries around the world. Members of the Committee are: FUKUMOTO Takashi (Japan), Kaisa Penttila (Finland), Michaella Müller (Switzerland), Greg Holdfeld (Australia) and Valentas Askinis (Lithuania). The selection took place between 9-26 Maj in Hiroshima. The experts viewed the thousands of films only knowing their title and length, and only commented on their positive aspects during judging. The festival will be held Hiroshima 2014 on 21-25 August 2014, and the winners announced on the 25th. Internationally renowned Italian producer Bruno Bozzetto will be the Honorary President of Hiroshima 2014. Surprisingly, no Japanese titles made it to the competition selection, which organisers attribute to the excellence of international works. Besides the Grand Prize, awards will be handed out in the following categories: Hiroshima Prize, Debut Prize, Renzo Kinoshita Prize, Audience Prize, five International Jury special awards and five other special awards.

In the past, Hungarian animation film producers or jury members have been featured four times and four Hungarian titles have won awards at the festival.

Hungarian guest appearance

It has now become a tradition to present the animation industry of a chosen country alongside the competition for the Grand Prize. In the past, several Asian (Vietnam, India, Thailand, Malaysia) and European countries (Switzerland, Finland, Norway) were given a platform for presenting their best animation works. The International Animation Festival Hiroshima features an expert audience and is the focus of substantial media attention, and thus provides an excellent opportunity for showcasing a country’s animation industry and forging relationships.

Festival director Sayoko Kinoshita invited Hungary to be guest of honour at this year’s 15th International Animation Festival Hiroshima in January. The Hungarian special programme, which will feature the golden age and present of Hungarian animation film, will present over 250 works spanning over 1600 minutes, including dozens of films that received support under the Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority’s Hungarian Media Patronage Programme.

The Hungarian titles competing at the festival:

Bálint Gelley: Otthon (Hearth) (the 11th film featured on 23 August): the film is based on Ádám Bodor’s Tanyai lány short story.

Réka Bucsi: Symphony no. 42 (the 15th film featured on 21 August): portrays a subjective world view through 47 scenes, based on an exceptional narrative.

László Ruska and Dávid Ringeisen: Papírvilág (Paper World) (the 6th film featured on 23 August): presents WWF values presented in a micro-world setting.