The future looks bright for Italian animation this decade, and the good news come from my dear sandal shaped island. The first time an announcement was made back in 2018 on November 18th, with the birth of the production hub dedicated to animated features. It is part of the project of the Sardegna Film Commission, supported by Cartoon Italia, Cartoon Media Europa, Rai (Italian public tv broadcaster) and foreign investors. At the same time, building n°2 of Pula’s “Parco Tecnologico” was visited for the possibility of transferring production of a few series in it. Furthermore, a delegation from the Canadian company that produces the software Toon Boom Animation met the SFC, and the results manifested later on.
Then, on February 22nd of 2019 the SFC received one million euro funds for the start up of project Nas, Nuova Animazione Sardegna (New Animation Sardinia) and 500.000 euro to found a campus dedicated to the creation of music and sound for cinema. Another important event occurred from 21st to 23rd of March: “Cartoon Digital”, the first European master on digital animation for professionals, preceded by “Italian Days” on the 20th and 21st, two sessions dedicated to new talents and producers in Italy. The events were hosted at Manifattura Tabacchi in Cagliari, the same location that will be later used for the first class of 2D animation on the platform Toon Boom.
On October 1st 2019 a tender opened for a free class of “2D animation technician on Toon Boom platform” for 15 students. The tender didn’t require any specific artistic qualification: only a high school diploma, an art portfolio, a motivational latter and an auto certification of English language skills not lower than B1, due to the class being taught in English. The class will last for three months with daily Monday to Friday sessions, including the hours of independent assignment work using the hardware and software provided in the location.
More recently, on November 22nd a new tender was published for the production of animated short films aimed at the promotion and spreading of the Sardinian language with a target of 0-17 years old.
The slots for the shorts are five:
-history, archaeology and legends of Sardinia
-flora and fauna
-distinguished Sardinian characters
-Anthropology, tradition and art
-Sustainability, climate change and quality of life
As a fan of animation, this wonderful course of events makes me really happy and hope for the beginning of a blooming industry for both Sardinia and Italy. I am looking forward to more news about the Nas project and any new activity from this field, and I’ll report them as soon as I can, so stay tuned!
