New Animation Lab Connects Armenian Talent With Global Industry Experts

Animation producers, writers and artists in Armenia will work with industry professionals from France, Italy and other countries under a new four-week training program designed to strengthen Armenia’s ties with the international animation industry.

The ReA Academy Lab will combine three weeks of online work with a final week of in-person sessions in Yerevan, bringing together producers, screenwriters and visual artists with specialists working across animation production, story development, concept art, character design, music and sound.

The program is being organized by ReA Festival with support from the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation.

Among the international specialists taking part are French producer Henri Magalon, screenwriter Stéphane Kazandjian, Italy-based concept artist Armin Taghdisirad, French character designer Zaven Najjar, José Luis Farías Gómez and composer and sound designer Andriesh Gandrabur.

Organizers expect the group to include five to seven producers, five to seven screenwriters and 15 visual artists. The program is aimed primarily at professionals who already have experience in their fields and are looking to work at an international level.

The initiative comes as ReA expands its focus beyond its annual film festival and works to create stronger links between Armenia’s animation community and producers and creative professionals abroad.

ReA already operates MarAni, a production platform that includes workshops and opportunities for filmmakers to develop and pitch projects. In 2024, ReA signed a cooperation agreement with Spain’s Next Lab Generation, an animation and digital-content platform working with technologies including virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence.

That partnership included plans for professional exchanges, workshops and opportunities for Armenian projects to reach international producers.

The new Academy Lab will also have a Diaspora component. Armenia’s Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs is supporting the involvement of Armenian professionals from abroad, who are expected to share their experience with participants working in Armenia.

Training with the international mentors will be conducted in English.

Applications for the first group are open through October 1.

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