SYAA
SYAA – Sisterhood of Young Animation Auteurs is a project based workshop and a study program meant to encourage and support female auteurs to further develop their knowledge on animation film production, distribution, writing and directing.
SYAA is a project initiated by Animest Association in 2021, as part of Eurimages’ Gender Equality Sponsorship, and held two editions (in 2021 and 2022). Starting 2023, the project is carried out under the Animation Festival Network’s umbrella and is open to female filmmakers from Romania, Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Croatia.
The workshop targets women animators, illustrators, directors or writers who wish to take the lead in their own short film projects, as a first- or second time screenwriter or director, but haven’t found the necessary support from the industry around them.
The main goal of the workshop is to increase the number of female filmmakers leading their own animation projects, in an attempt to combat gender stereotypes and sexism and, in the end, to achieve a more diverse cinematographic landscape.
The program consists of a series of events: lectures, presentations, 1:1 consultations, screenings and networking events structured in the span of 7 days, with up to 4 events daily, and it will provide the participants with coaching on a variety of topics related to animation films:
- Scriptwriting techniques for various target audiences;
- How to create a portfolio;
- Project development opportunities across Europe;
- Financing an independent film: understanding the financial mechanisms in Europe, introduction to budgeting, practical advice on financing opportunities;
- Making it in the film industry as an independent artist;
- How to found your own studio;
- Copyright law;
- Film distribution and promotion;
The worksessions will be conducted in English by two group leaders; several European film professionals will join them as guest speakers.
SYAA is organized in Bucharest, Romania, in late August.
The upcoming edition is programmed for 19-25 August 2023. Applications are open to participants from Romania, Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Croatia. The selected participants are offered accommodation and meals, while travel costs will be partially covered. There is no application fee or participation fee.
If you are curious about the previous editions of SYAA, please access https://www.syaa.animest.ro
Information about the call for entries for the upcoming workshop will be published on our website’s news section, on the SYAA webpage and on each AFN member festival’s website.
