The First International Animation Film Festival in the GCC Set to Launch in Dubai in April 2015

Animate Dubai Announces its Call for Submissions

Dubai, UAE. Tuesday 3rd of February 2015 – ANIMATE DUBAI, the GCC’s first annual International Animation Film Festival is to debut on the 22nd of April 2015 for four days.

ANIMATE DUBAI is the newest addition to ‘Dubai Art Season,’ the city’s umbrella arts initiative launched by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage. It has announced its official call for submissions for Arab and International films: features and shorts.

Lina Younes, Founder of ANIMATE DUBAI says, “ANIMATE DUBAI is a UAE based force with the sole purpose of stimulating quality animation. I founded The Animation Chamber in 2012, a grassroots Dubai-based organization that started out as the UAE’s first stop-motion collective and educational initiative. Through our work at The Animation Chamber, we realized that the UAE is home to an animation sector that shows considerable talent and creative potential. ANIMATE DUBAI strives to encourage the UAE-based animation makers and fans alike to provide them with an international showcase. It is the first in the region to create the infrastructure catering to the industry’s bloom.”

She continues, “ANIMATE DUBAI acts as a platform for UAE universities, animation schools and institutes to showcase their talent and provide them with an opportunity to grow their skills. Special projects will be exhibited at the event from the American University of Sharjah, the American University of Dubai and Zayed University.”

ANIMATE DUBAI aims to promote animation as a vital and independent art form that the region has yet to embrace. By shedding light on the region’s brightest talents and artistry, the festival is eager to share its knowledge and passion with the community and provide the industry professionals and aspiring artists with the needed medium for exchange.

“We are passionate about animation, so with ANIMATE DUBAI, we’dlike to contribute to nourishing the developing animation industry and to use its continuously creative forces to further advance the required skills and push the boundaries of innovation.”

ANIMATE DUBAI has received an overwhelming response from animators from all around the region. Lina added “We are also very proud to announce our strategic partnerships with Dubai Studio City as well as some of the world’s best Animation Festivals like Annecy (France), Ta7rik (Tunisia), and ASIFA China to name a few!”

The four-day festival will feature an opening ceremony; daily Arab and International film screenings – all genres and lengths included – for all audiences; daily educational workshops catering to different age groups and expertise; engaging panel sessions and talks by some of the leading influencers of the industry; an animation film market connecting the talent to funding bodies; creative animation installations; daily live performances: theatre, concerts & visuals; a corner DVD and bookstore; and finally a closing awards ceremony.

ANIMATE DUBAI is inviting animation artists to be part of this exciting new journey by submitting their films, both features and shorts, by Sunday, 8th February 2015 to:
http://animatedubai.com/submissions-2015/

W: www.animatedubai.com| FB: https://www.facebook.com/animatedubai
Ig: @AnimateDubai| Twitter: @AnimateDubai

The Animation Chamber
The Animation Chamber curates, creates and organizes workshops, animations, and panels for festivals across the UAE. The organization has also collaborated with international animation festivals and has created tailored programs for universities, schools, and art centers around the UAE.