National Short Animation Investment Event to Be Held in Kashan

National Short Animation Investment Event to Be Held in Kashan

The President of the Science and Technology Park of the University of Kashan announced the organization of the National Short Animation Investment Event in Kashan.

Dr. Hamidreza Momenian, speaking to reporters, referred to the presence of companies producing high-quality animations with national screenings (such as “Roya Shahr” and the animation “Benyamin”) in Kashan. He added that Kashan has been proposed as a candidate to host this event, and the governor along with other officials have welcomed the organization of this national event.

He stated that the National Animation Foundation intends to hold the National Animation Financing Event of Iran. Approximately 150 individuals are active in the field of animation in Kashan, and one of the local high schools has students who have received international awards in this domain.

The organizer of this national event noted that the first National Animation Financing Event of Iran will be held in Kashan, with a permanent secretariat established in the city, from 23 to 25 Azar at the Mehr Cultural Center in Kashan.

Dr. Momenian highlighted that the event aims to strengthen Kashan’s cultural and economic position through national animation events, attract investment, establish a permanent secretariat in the city, focus on enhancing and developing the university entrepreneurship ecosystem through university-based companies, artificial intelligence workforce, support for creative and health industries, and the launch and consolidation of events and strategic agreements with the private and public sectors to support technological and artistic projects, particularly in the field of animation.

He also mentioned that around 160 animation entries from 22 provinces have been submitted to the secretariat of the national event. The animations will be presented in nine sessions before investors (Sunday, Monday morning and afternoon, Tuesday in the same sequence), with three projects showcased per session.

Dr. Momenian noted that the investors for this event have been identified nationally. Sixteen projects have advanced to the final stage, and the selected finalists will be presented on 23 Azar, engaging in discussions directly with investors. The President of the Science and Technology Park of the University of Kashan added that it is estimated that production contracts worth 20 to 25 billion tomans will be signed for these projects.

He also referred to the organization of two evening sessions on storytelling, animation, and creative cities with a UNESCO focus, emphasizing the goal of providing equal financial opportunities for all projects and guiding them to the national level with the support of the Animation Foundation.

Dr. Momenian highlighted additional objectives of the event, including identifying and introducing talent, securing private funding for projects beyond local ideas, facilitating production through the involvement of relevant authorities, creating a secure environment for investors to assess project risks and potential, introducing religious/national characters in animation to engage young audiences, and promoting Iranian cultural identity, family and social cohesion, hope for the future, and environmental sustainability.

He concluded that prototype animations, short artistic and experimental animations, as well as applied and media/advertising animations reflecting Iranian and national identity, family, society, life, hope, future, nature, and environment, will constitute the thematic priorities of the submitted projects in this event.