About SYAA
Sisterhood of Young Animation Auteurs - SYAA was created after the realization of the gender imbalance in the Romanian animation film industry, and aims to offer support to the female animation film auteurs.
Our consultations with the I.L. Caragiale University of Film and Television in Bucharest revealed that, between 2016 and 2020, although 70% of the animation students were female, according to the results published by the National Film Fund (CNC), only 14.44% of the projects were submitted by female auteurs. Moreover, 15 years of experience in organizing Animest Festival confirmed that in our national film industry, women in leading creative positions are notable exceptions, not the norm. We think that the gender imbalance is not something related to a lack of talent or interest, but a systemic issue.
Our research is backed up on a European level by numerous studies conducted by cultural institutes, and gathered by the European Commission.
The main goal of SYAA is to increase the number of female filmmakers leading their own animation projects. We are determined to achieve this by offering them complex study program, meant to encourage them to further develop their knowledge on animation film production, distribution and direction
The program is free of charge and this year welcomes artists from Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, together with Romania and Republic of Moldova.
More information on eligibility and conditions of participation are to be found in the Rules&Regulations.
Content
The program consists in a series of events: lectures, presentations, practical workshops, screenings and networking events structured in the span of 7 days, with up to 4 events daily, and it will provide the participants with coaching on a variety of topics related to animation films:
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Scriptwriting techniques for various target audiences
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How to create a portfolio;
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Project development opportunities accross Europe;
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Financing an independent film: understanding the financial mechanisms in Romania and Europe, introduction to budgeting, practical advice on financing opportunities;
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Making it in the film industry as an independent artist;
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How to found your own studio;
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Copyright law
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Film distribution and promotion;
The worksessions will be conducted by two group leaders; several European film professionals will join them as guest speakers.
SYAA is a project based workshop, a study program meant to encourage and support female auteurs to further develop their knowledge on animation film production, distribution and direction.
Eligibility and conditions of participation are detailed in the Rules&Regulations.
Apply here!
Mentors

Katarzyna started her professional career as a production manager and set manager in commercials and music videos production, as well as working for numerous film festivals. In 2010 she joined Se-ma-for studio as events coordinator and production assistant. From 2012 to 2015 she worked as production manager and line producer in Se-ma-for. Co-founder of Momakin and co-organizer of Animarkt Stopmotion Forum, she is currently acting as an executive producer, coordinating work of stop motion artists from all around the world. She is a member of Polish Filmmakers Association (SFP) and Polish Animation Producers Association (SPPA).

Raluca Mănescu graduated from the National University of Theater and Cinema in Romania, screenwriting and film critic section. She wrote and produced a few short films which received high praise and awards at international film festivals like Cottbus IFF, Sarajevo IFF, Thessaloniki IFF, Namur IFF. Her debut in scriptwriting for the feature film ”The world is mine”, directed by Nicolae Constantin Tănase received the special mention of the jury at the Karlovy Vary IFF and also the debut award at TIFF, both in 2015. Presently, Raluca works as a screenwriter and story designer in national and international projects for various action films, documentaries and series.

Stay tuned for more!