ASIFA celebrates 50th Anniversary With Year Long Celebration

Beverly Hills, CA-July 8, 2010-ASIFA, The International Animated Film Association, has recently kicked off its year long celebration, which will continue until March 2011, to commemorate their 50-year anniversary since being chartered under UNESCO in 1960. Highlights of the year include an International Animation Day in October to be celebrated in 30 countries and the publication of a special hardbound 50 year anniversary book.

Among ASIFA's target goals are giving opportunities for professionals to network globally, sustaining and preserving the rights of animators and the art of animation, and promoting progress toward peace and mutual understanding. Through its many publications, promotions, workshops, gatherings, and worldwide projects the organization has an extensive variety of international activities that make its presence felt to both its members and on the world stage.

Nelson Shin, the current president of ASIFA reflects on the organization's 50th: "I am so proud to be a part of ASIFA during this major milestone. It is a pleasure for me to be able to serve this organization that has contributed so much to the animation industry worldwide. I look forward to watching it continue to grow and give back even more to its members and the public in its next 50 years." In addition to President Nelson Shin of Korea, the current leadership includes: Secretary General Vesna Dovnikovic of Croatia, Vice Presidents: Antran Manoogian of Hollywood, Sayoko Kinoshita of Japan, Heikki Jokinen of Finland, Ed Desroches of Colorado; Executive Director Bill Dennis of USA/India, and Treasurer Anastasia Dimitra of Greece.

ASIFA runs many effective, self-sustaining programs such as the Animation Workshop Group (AWG), and International Animation Day (IAD). The current AWG project, which allows children in over 30 different workshops around the globe to collaborate on an animated film with the leadership of a professional ASIFA animator, will center on themes celebrating ASIFA's 50th anniversary. International Animation Day will also focus on the anniversary during the week of October 28th as well as commemorate the first public performance of Emile Reynaud's Theater Optique in Paris, 1892.

ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film D'Animation) was originally founded in 1960 in France, as a membership organization devoted to promoting animation art globally, and to attaining international friendship and understanding through animation. ASIFA is the only international nonprofit organization for animation art in the world. In its 50 year existence, it has grown to over 6000 members in 58 countries on all continents. Though most members are associated with 32 national chapters, there are also individual members. ASIFA provides the linkage between all the chapters as well as a direct connection to International events such as animation festivals and seminars.

The ASIFA organization is responsible for an array of publications including the twice yearly journal ASIFA Magazine, and the website www.ASIFA.net. These outlets have become important sources for member networking and communication as well as the source of the field's most interesting articles and interviews.

Now entering its fifth decade, ASIFA has cooperated with Animation Festivals around the world to create and manage the Festival Information System. The goal of this system is to protect the interests of filmmakers and help foster quality, international animation festivals. ASIFA ensures that if any films sent to an event have been lost or damaged, they are either located or that the affected artist receives compensation. The organization publishes guidelines on how festivals can meet these quality standards.

Finally, an ASIFA membership is open to all individuals interested in animation. Along with benefits like the ASIFA archive in Berlin as well as informal exchanges of animators and animation between chapters, members can show their support for a world-wide organization that continues to lobby for only the best in animation.

For more information about ASIFA and membership opportunities, please visit: www.asifa.net.