MANILA- Kicking off the ninth Animahensayon festival at SMX Aura, nothing less than an impressive animated work by artist Arnold Arre would do. Featuring patriotic images rendered in his signature style, the riveting cartoon by last year’s Grand Prize winner launched the festival aimed at students and professionals in grand style.
Juan Miguel del Rosario, president of the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI), addressed an enthusiastic crowd of morning attendees by delivering the pronouncement that the country’s animation industry is booming and will continue to do so for quite some time to address an international demand. Del Rosario also shared ACPI’s plans for 2016, like their hosting the country’s first international animation festival, as well as the tenth Animahenasyon festival.
Pronouncing that the future of the country is in digital creatives, special guest speaker Mon Ibrahim pointed out that more collaborations between the government and private companies can only result in better opportunities from everyone. “Animation is not just entertainment,” he said, “It’s media for learning as well.”
Exhibitor booths featured motion capture demos, a 3D printing station, a Wacom animation tablet station where artists could try out their latest technology, art and design schools advertising their latest courses, and Toei Animations’ photo wall featuring their popular characters from Dragonball Z and One Piece.
With free screenings and workshops for students and pros seeking to network or even improve their craft, Animahenasyon can only keep growing as the local animation industry keeps up with the need to provide well-produced animated content.
