Emile Reynaud's Theatre Optique

On 28th of October 1892, Emile Reynaud presented his "Theatre Optique" in the Musée Grévin in Paris. It was the first public screening of animation with a cinematographic apparatus (using hand-painted sequences on celluloid strips). Following the idea of the former ASIFA President Abi Feijo from Portugal, ASIFA proposed to celebrate on this date the International Animation Day.

The French ASIFA Group AFCA is the first to take advantage of this event.
In fact, thinking that one day would be too short, AFCA extended its duration from the 25th to the 29th of October, renaming it "Animation Celebration".
This event has very quickly taken unexpected proportions. It met with great interest and even enthusiasm. In some regions, AFCA witnessed the creation of new showplaces and networks as well as the spontaneous help of new contributors.

About 130 showplaces throughout France will participate in this event, with screenings, exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, meetings or other initiatives, with the support of film archives, cinemas, libraries, associations and festivals (among them Annecy and Clermont-Ferrand), as well as a large number of animation film schools.
Two trends appear in the contents of the programs: Japanese animation (Hayao Miyazaki in particular) and Czech animation benefiting from the Czech cultural season taking place in France this year.

ASIFA Israel will be marking this event with a festive board-meeting, to be held on the Polygon Animation Studio office on 10.28.02.
A toast will be raised, and new plans will be laid for future ASIFA activities.
On the following day, the Hebrew Animation Forum will host a live session with one of Israel's leading animators (and head of Bezalel's animation unit), Mr. Roni Oren. Surfers are encouraged to visit the forum and ask any question related to animation.


Project Info:
ASIFA contact person: Pierre Azuelos
France: AFCA - Olivier Catherin
Israel: Tal Lotan

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