One of ReA's goals is to continuously develop Armenian animation on both local and international levels: Kassouny Vrej

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. This year, the ReA International Animation and Comics Art Festival will be held from October 20th to 26th. Kassouny, renowned Armenian political cartoonist, painter, animator and founder of the fest, shares insights about the outcomes of last year’s festival, this year’s innovations, as well as trends in the animation industry and the prospects for Armenian animation.

Mr. Kassouny, last year ReA Fest celebrated its 15th anniversary with a comprehensive agenda. Reflecting on the past year, what outcomes could you highlight?

Last year, we made a very responsible yet crucial decision for the festival: not to cancel it despite the complex and crisis-ridden period in Armenia. It was extremely important for us to present our art and cultural heritage to the world during such a time. If the festival was to be held, it had to be more refined and enriched than ever before. This was the main idea that guided us to breathe a new life into the festival, resulting in a host of innovations.

In addition to the film screenings, we relaunched the MarAni (Market of Animation) platform after a hiatus. Originally established in 2010, presenting MarAni in a new and improved format was a significant step towards uniting top industry professionals from around the world.  At MarAni, we also introduced a co-production platform where Armenian screenwriters and animators had the opportunity to present their projects to producers from prestigious companies and potentially collaborate with them to bring their ideas to life. Although the platform had been in operation in previous years, this time it had a clear format, with approximately 15 producers involved and 12 projects presented. As a result, three films received financial support from ReA, and 3 projects also secured their European co-producers.

Another key aspect of the animation market was the forum, where international guests, including Shawn M. Bobbitt from Poland, Dave Bossert and Ed Hooks from the USA, Javier De La Chica from Spain, and others, served as guest speakers and shared their business visions in the animation industry.

So yes, the festival was indeed vibrant and productive!

The animation industry is constantly evolving. How does the festival contribute to the development of Armenian animation?

The animation industry and cinema arts, in general, are unique fields that continuously rejuvenate, with contemporary and high-quality technologies accelerating this process even in its later stages.

One of ReA's main goals is to rejuvenate Armenian animation history in line with these developments, both locally and internationally. During the MarAni forum, international guests discuss these modern tools and their applications, presenting their business insights. In Armenia, these tools are also being utilized. We have a rapidly developing generation that follows new trends, which is very important, as many countries may have festivals but lack production facilities. For example, the Armenian OnOff Studio, led by Tigran Arakelyan, has introduced a new breath into the Armenian animation sector through the use of VR tools and has made significant progress. I believe this is an achievement for all of us. Tigran has made a substantial contribution to technological development in Armenia, which led to ReA signing a memorandum of understanding with Spain’s NEXT Lab Generation this June. It is a platform for testing and implementing innovative technological tools in animation, virtual reality, video games, and digital content. As a partner in the animation market, NEXT Lab will conduct seminars, lectures, and masterclasses on VR and AI at this year’s festival.

How will ReA present itself in 2024, and what should the audience expect?

We already have a large team with dedicated coordinators for each program and are currently in the active phase of preparations. This year, ReA also has its own Board, which includes international experts such as Tiziana Loschi, former director of the Annecy Festival, and producers Max Howard, Jean-Paul Commin, and Charlie Sansonetti. With their input, the festival has been divided into three distinct parts.

Firstly, there is the ReA Fest itself, featuring film screenings and competitive programs․ The second part is the MarAni platform, including its CoReAct co-production platform, workshops, and masterclasses. This platform will bring together various international professionals and representatives from the film and animation industry, including those from the European Cinema Support Fund (Eurimages), Cartoon Forum, Netflix, Disney, and other leading companies in the field.

The third major component of the festival is ReA Comics Art  which will showcase works by international guests, including those from the Comics Art National Competition jury and participating authors, as well as comic books and works published in Armenia this year and last.

New collaborations have always been central to ReA. What new or anticipated partnerships are there for this year?

Due to the many years of its activities, the festival has established ambassadors across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. For instance, in France, we are supported by well-known and accomplished producers and animation professionals who personally promote our festival as part of their own initiative. This is incredibly important to us.

This year, ReA has embarked on several significant new collaborations. Notably, we have signed a contract with Eurimages, which will allow festival audiences over the next three years to hear from representatives of the organization. We will also host representatives from Cartoon Media, a renowned platform for screenings and pitching in Europe. Additionally, we continue our collaboration with the ANNECY International Animation Film Festival, which began in 2008, including partnerships with Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA) and the Spanish NEXT Lab Generation.

ReA has always been a platform for showcasing diverse styles and genres of animation from around the world. What principles guide the selection of films and participants for the festival?

ReA is one of the few smaller festivals that has successfully secured the best international films each year, thanks to the growing trust we have earned. Both our previous projects and the list of international films have always been among the best, becoming a cornerstone for us. We invite professionals with whom Armenian experts can collaborate, either by joining the jury, leading workshops, or participating as consultants, animators, co-producers, or even as educators. We aim to invite increasingly prominent and renowned figures each year, who will speak about us and represent us on the international stage.

What opportunities does ReA Fest offer to young talents, animators, and filmmakers?

Since its inception, the festival’s goal has been to bring together not only emerging but also experienced animators and professionals. This creates opportunities for domestic talents to establish connections with international experts and partners, leading to mutual collaborations. These interactions have only inspired the younger generation to put in more effort and creativity, reinforcing their belief that international connections are achievable within their own country.

ReA has provided the youth with new inspiration and hope to continue creating and progressing. Years ago, some believed that the animation sector lacked vitality, but I always maintained that if it doesn’t exist, we must create it and revitalize it. Today, there are numerous examples of young individuals who have achieved significant success in the field and are working in various, even their own, studios.

ReA will, of course, continue its activities in line with contemporary developments, which may include changes in format if necessary.

How do you envision the development of ReA Fest and animation in general?

Artificial intelligence is changing everything today, but I am confident that traditional animation will endure. As Disney director Aaron Blaise says, "Nothing can rival the creative spark of the human mind." Compared to the capabilities of the human brain, AI's possibilities are limited, while the human brain constantly generates new ideas and creations every time it wakes up. Hence, AI will always need human direction and guidance, and I believe it will remain just a tool for us.

We have a 30-year-old independent state, with the fest  existing for 16 of those years. Armenian animation is also 80 years old. In this rapid pace of development, our generation is making significant strides, and I am confident that with technological advancements, we will not only see films but also new tools being developed. Our younger generation will soon have its contribution to animation technology as well.