Who we are

ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) was founded in 1960 in Annecy, France as an association of individual animation artists. Today ASIFA can be described as an international network of numerous local ASIFA Chapters, which have developed their own local identities and special activities. These ‘local’ ASIFA Chapters send their representatives to the ASIFA Board. The key board positions, including President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer and all additional functionaries are elected for three years by the ASIFA Board. All ASIFA Members can participate in the democratic decision processes through their chapter representatives and the ASIFA General Assembly.

Compared to the early years of ASIFA, when the Board Members were soley “animation artists”, the ASIFA Board today is composed of animation specialists from very different backgrounds. They are animation artists, producers, journalists, teachers, workshop leaders, festival directors, promotors of animated films, and so forth.

ASIFA has evolved and adopted many new activities since its happy beginnings.  During the first decades, ASIFA was active in starting the first animation festivals of the world (Annecy, Zagreb, Hiroshima, Espinho, etc.) to promote the art of animation, as well as establishing the first international printed magazine about animation.

Today, ASIFA is at the forefront of International Animation Day every 28th October, facilitating film exchanges around the globe and encouraging celebrations of the art of animation in every local chapter.

The international Animation Workshop Group (AWG) runs children’s workshops internationally.

The ASIFA Prize, founded in 1985, is given annually to outstanding personalities who have supported the art of animation.

ASIFA is affiliated with UNESCO (the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), which encourages international peace and universal respect by promoting collaboration among nations.