Call for Applications: Stories x Women Program 2025 – Fully Funded Opportunity for Women Creatives in Animation
Deadline: Feb 7, 2025
The Stories x Women Program, launched in 2022 as a collaboration between WIA (Women in Animation) and FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations), is an exciting and transformative opportunity designed to amplify the voices of women creatives from emerging animation communities across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. This fully-funded program supports women in animation by providing access to international platforms, mentorship, and coaching, with a focus on increasing the diversity of voices in the animation industry.
Program Overview
Each year, the Stories x Women Program selects delegates from eligible countries to benefit from a series of mentoring and coaching sessions led by internationally acclaimed animation experts. These sessions will prepare participants to pitch their projects at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market, one of the world’s most renowned animation events.
Program Benefits: Fully-Funded Participation
- Fully Paid Travel and Lodging: All expenses related to travel, accommodation, and event accreditations are covered for participants.
- Mentorship & Coaching: Engage in personalized guidance from industry experts to refine your project and pitching skills.
- Pitching at Annecy: The program prepares participants to pitch their animation projects to a global audience at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market, taking place from June 9 to 15, 2025.
- Networking Opportunities: Build connections with key players in the global animation industry and expand your professional network.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Stories x Women Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Team Composition: Up to two team members can apply, with at least one woman or nonbinary person designated as the “Lead Project Holder.”
- The Lead Project Holder must be the director, screenwriter, or producer of the project and, if applying as a team of two, must demonstrate a history of co-writing and co-directing the project.
- Nationality Requirements: The Lead Project Holder must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries/markets.
- Ready-to-Pitch Project: The project must be in an advanced development stage, meaning it should have significant creative material already in place or be at the pre-production stage. Projects can be animated features, documentaries, or series.
- Age: Project holders must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
- English Proficiency: Applicants must have sufficient English skills to participate in mentorship sessions and networking opportunities.
- Commitment to Annecy: Applicants must be available to attend the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market from June 9 to 15, 2025, and participate in all virtual mentorship sessions prior to the event.
- Encouraged Communities: The program strongly encourages applications from historically underrepresented communities, including Indigenous people, disabled people, and individuals who identify as LGB+.
How to Apply
- Application Deadline: The final deadline for submissions is February 7, 2025.
- Click HERE to Apply: Start your application by submitting the required materials and project details.
This program is a unique opportunity for women creatives in animation to elevate their careers, gain exposure at a global platform, and receive mentorship that could significantly impact their professional growth.
Don’t miss out on this transformative opportunity to bring your animation project to life!
Apply now and take your animation project to the next level at Annecy 2025!
