ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum 2024 announces program highlights

The program of the 9th edition of the ANIMARKT will feature the Masters Section focused on knowledge, discovering how the industry works, and getting to know the leading creators in stop-motion.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet Melanie Coombs – the production supervisor and co-producer of the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022, 77 wins and 132 nominations) as well as the producer of the also Oscar-winning short Harvie Krumpet (2003) and Mary and Max (2009). She will discuss her professional work and experience, offering a look at how the American and European markets differ. In the same section a BAFTA-nominated animator – Will Blecher – from Aardman Animations, known for works like A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019, Academy Award nomination) and Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005), will share his insights into working at a legendary studio on one hand and developing independent films on the other.

The Forum will welcome the creators of this year’s stop-motion film premieres, such as Living Large (10th June 2024) and Savages (16th October 2024). Participants will learn about the crucial role of VFX and post-production in stop-motion from the production manager of the acclaimed anthology The House (2022). Additionally, Francesca Maxwell, an industry icon with credits on Chicken Run, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and ParaNorman, will be hosting one-on-one consultations, while Delphine Nicolini will share her experience working on films like Ernest & Celestine and The Swallows of Kabul.

This year’s workshops will also be led by some of the most respected names in stop-motion. Chris Tichborne, a veteran animator whose credits include Bob the Builder, Postman Pat, and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride as well as working as animation director on The House and The Tiny Chef Show, will share his extensive knowledge of stop-motion filmmaking in an immersive workshop. Another workshop by Alicia Canovas Verdu, who was working on Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and is now based at Aardman Animations, where she contributed to Star Wars Visions Volume II, will provide valuable insights into puppet making.

Although the workshops and consultation are limited to pre-selected groups, all the guests will be invited to benefit from business meetings as part of the Business Section. This section is a perfect opportunity to engage in one-on-one meetings, negotiate business deals, or showcase a portfolio to potential collaborators.

A key feature of this section is Coffees with Animation, where the participants meet creators behind Still Life – an integrated system that brings together pre-production planning, production workflow and digital pipeline for stop-motion. They can also connect with WWF, a Polish stop-motion studio open to co-production opportunities. Representatives from leading studios such as LAIKA, Pangur Animation, Cornelius Films and ShadowMachine will also be present, offering networking opportunities for professionals and aspiring animators alike.

Paulina Zacharek, president of MOMAKIN, the co-organizer of the Forum, said:

ANIMARKT is a place, where for five days we host the greatest creators in the stop-motion industry. We’re honored that such a distinguished group accepted our invitations and that they agreed to share their invaluable knowledge and experiences with our attendees.

This year’s programme was created in collaboration with stop motion professionals: Tim Allen, Angela Poschet, Zofia Jaroszuk, Luce Grosjean, Nancy Denney-Phelps, who are also present at the Forum each year.

The sale of accreditation for participants for this year’s ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum has begun. All information and tickets are available at: https://animarkt.gridaly.com/registration.