SAR logotype

The Sustainability Animation Residency

The Sustainability Animation Residency – SAR was set up to help amplify the urgency of environmental action with the powerful tools of animation. Situated near Arles, SAR seeks to tap into the unique pool of a world-class animation industry based in and around Arles, and to support their talents in a global context. SAR’s objective is to award one of the competing proposals for a ‘Sustainable Short’ touching on any aspect of the environment such as climate change, endangered oceans, resource scarcity, future of food and agriculture, future cities, energy supply, mobility, species diversity, waste management, pollution, health, sustainable fashion and any other suitable topics.

SAR Winner 2023

  • Camille Chao The Cedar Eye

SAR Shortlist 2023

  • Sara Massieu Cut a tree
  • Camille Chao The Cedar Eye
  • Pipou Phuong Nguyen Just a bit wet

CinéSAR Public Choice 2023

  • Saul Freed and Karni Arieli Wild Summon

THE RESIDENCY

Annually middle of May to the beginning of July

The six-week SAR, which also includes a visit and presentation at the Annecy Festival, will give the chosen director the opportunity to develop further the submitted eco-ani Short’ proposal, its content, artistic scope, narrative and graphic research, including:

  • Storyboard
  • Script
  • Animation Development, the ‘Synthetic Image’

SAR allows the required time and space to create and complete the application file and present it as an international industry standard animation film pitch to target producers, finance partner/s as well as other creative talents at the Annecy Festival with the guidance of Miyu Distribution. Travel, accommodation and organisation of the Annecy visit will be the responsibility of Miyu Distribution.

The director will also have the chance to engage with local mentors, SAR Jury members and institutions in weekly sessions arranged by Miyu Distribution to discuss and reflect on critical points of the project.

SAR entails accommodation at an independent studio house on a rural property, a ‘per diem’ for 42 days, travel expenses, a local rental car, a bicycle, an activities budget, as well as a celebratory screening evening and presentation of the project. In its entirety SAR represents a value of about €10k.

Any technical equipment such as PCs and/or LT should be the property of, and supplied by, the Resident.

THE PROCESS

The submissions will be judged by two different Juries of relevant and reputable environmental, arts and animation professionals. Considering factors like innovative animation technique, soundtrack, originality, clarity and relevance of the message, visual language, artistic scope, accuracy of environmental issues and, if applicable, humour.

A shortlist of the three to five selected best proposals will be compiled and announced by the ‘PreJury’ by late December to mid-January. The SAR Winner will be voted from the shortlist by the ‘ProJury’ and published on this website and social media.

CinéSAR :
CELEBRATORY SCREENING, PRESENTATION AND TALK AT THE RESIDENCE

Annually End of June / Early July

A drinks and dinner invitation will be hosted to celebrate the completion SAR. Guests from relevant areas in animation and sustainability, as well as friends and family, will be invited to the Residence. The evening will include a screening of a selection of the best 6-8 eco-ani Shorts, a talk on sustainability by a specialist, the presentation of the project by its creator and an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Why Animation in Provence ?

In recent years Arles and its surroundings have turned into an animation and CGI hub. Hence SAR offers a unique opportunity to engage with specialists of the region exploring a whole range of animation techniques. We strongly believe by giving the director the chance to experiment and refine their skills will increase their prospects of commercial success and finding their signature voice.

timeline

  • Submissions
  • 4th November - 21th January 2023
  • SAR Shortlist announcement
  • February 2023
  • SAR Winner announcement l
  • Mid-March 2023
  • SAR Residency, St. Remy de Provence
  • 20th May - 1st July 2023
  • 2 days at Annecy Festival
  • 12th - 17th of June 2023
  • Project Presentation at CineSAR evening at the Residence
  • 30th June 2023

Conditions

Applicants must be a graduate of a higher education art, film, or animation school and therefore qualify as a director or creative professional with at least one completed/produced audio-visual animation short on their CV. This could either be an independently produced animation film and/or a school graduation film.

SAR is for one individual only and the outlined dates are obligatory as well as a signed commitment agreement and an acceptance letter of the Residency conditions.

The project must be presented in the animated format, in writing, clearly defining the area of sustainability you wish to focus on and the reasons for it. The stated environmental facts must be authenticated and based on public research and sources by validated institutions.

Your application must include

  • A motivation letter about why SAR is important for your project.
  • A synopsis or treatment of your mandatory project, containing a written description of the project, supported by graphics and sketches.
  • The topic of sustainability: intentions, purpose, and possible impact of the project in an environmental context.
  • A mood board and soundscape including musical cues, and ideally some technical notes.
  • Your Curriculum Vitae
  • Your Showreel and previous works, including student works.
Please submit your application file to : contact@sar-residency.org before midnight of the 15th January 2023.

Pre Jury

Joanna Schliemann portrait

Joana Schliemann

Joana Schliemann is the founder of Schliemann Residency Provence and the initiator of SAR. Her work in the arts for over 25 years in Munich, New York, Los Angeles and London comprises publishing, film, co-producing and marketing of cultural television, including ITV’s Southbank Show. The author of 'Verrückt nach Troja' (Crazy for Troy), a children’s biography of Heinrich Schliemann, Joana is currently developing a portfolio of film and TV projects, as well as producing a VR experience with Shezad Dawood Studio. She was a Programme Contributor for Cultural Diplomacy for the inaugural Edinburgh International Culture Summit in 2012. Joana has a BFA degree from Parsons, The New School for Design, NY and Paris, and read Ancient Indian Philosophy, Buddhism and Islam at the School for Oriental and African Studies, London.

Tony Guerrero portrait

Tony Guerrero

Tony Guerrero is a producer of exhibitions and artists residencies. Since the 90’s he has worked on numerous Biennales: Venice, Shanghai, Lausanne. He was Executive Director of Whitebox Art Center, NYC. Previously he was the Director of Visual Arts at FIAF, NYC organizing exhibitions, film series and screenings. For 17 years at MoMAPS1, NYC, he was Director of Exhibitions & Operations and Director of the National & International Artist Residencies. He produced over 200 major exhibitions. From inception and for 10 years, Guerrero produced the Young Architects Program, the Warm Up, series, and the WPS1 Art Radio broadcasting boat at 2 Venice Biennales. In mid 90’s, he was Director of Operations at The American Center, Paris. Earlier he was the head of the Curators Residency “L’Ecole du Magasin”, at CNAC, Grenoble, France. Since 2016 he joined the Luma Foundation in charge of Special Projects where he collaborated with Julian Schnabel on his film “Eternity’s gate”, recently he was working with Tony Gatlif’s on his film“Tom Medina” (working title) in charge of co-production for Luma .

Luce Grosjean portrait

Luce Grosjean

In 2014 Luce Grosjean founded Sève Films, a distribution company which promoted student films in animation festivals, as well as young talented directors. In 2017, she joined forces with Miyu Productions launching Miyu Distribution, specializing in festival short film distribution and international sales. 2018 was a great year for Miyu Distribution’s lineup which includes Oscar nominated "Negative Space" and "Garden Party”, "Bloeistraat 11” which won Annecy's Cristal and "I'am Going Out for Cigarettes” got a top prize in Locarno.

Mathieu Rey portrait

Mathieu Rey

Graduated in 2005 from the Supinfocom Arles school, Mathieu Rey spent a year in Paris in VFX studios before returning to the south of France and settling down as a freelance 3D graphic designer. Teaching 3D at Supinfocom from 2006, then 3D supervisor on Supinfocom, Mopa, and now the school of new images. After several years of 3D supervision on 3D feature films, in 2010 he founded Tu Nous Za Pas Vus Productions Arles with two partners Marc Rius and Thomas Giusiano, a production company in which he artistically and technically supervises the company's projects (the television series "Les légendaires", "Team Dronix", "Gus le chevalier Minus" among others). In 2020, he founded TNZPV Annecy with Marc Rius, Thomas Giusiano and Ludovic Habas.

Chrystel Poncet

Following a career of 25 years in TV broadcasting, Chrystel Poncet launched MaGic C with the desire of widening the scope of content available. Her privileged field of action concerns youth/teens fiction Tv series and animation of all genres for all ages. She works as creative producer with partners who share her vision : Andarta Pictures “Ewilan’s Quest”(France Tv) and “Baïdir” / Maybe Movies “Zombillenium” and “Calamity”, the TV series / Millimages “Virtual Past” (Canal +) / Les Films du Tambour de Soie: “A AI, a legend in Polynesia” (France Tv). Among her other activities, she collaborates as consultant with producers in the editorial development and/or financing phase. MaGic C also advise broadcasters/SVoD services and governmental bodies in the deployment of their projects. Chrystel participated in the coming of the CartoonNext in Marseille ans she is an active member of SudAnim.

Pro Jury

Jeanette bonds - Portrait

Jeanette Jeanenne

Jeanette Jeanenne is a Latin American filmmaker based in the United States. She is the Co-Founder and Director of GLAS Animation, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent animation. She received her MFA at CalArts in Film/Video. She is currently a director and producer at B&B Pictures, is a part of the international animation collective Late Night Work Club, on the board of directors of ASIFA-Hollywood, on the advisory committee for LXIA, and a programmer at Slamdance Film Festival. In the past she has worked with LA Film Festival, Glamour Magazine, and Short of the Week. She is currently directing and producing several short form projects with FX Networks and is a director on the new Crypt TV series Woman In the Book.

Eleanor Coleman portrait

Eleanor Coleman

Eleanor Coleman is a Paris based American producer who has worked for over 25 years in the European animation community. Her career began with a 15-year tenure at TF1 in France as head of in-house production and business development across all platforms for children. Since leaving TF1, Eleanor works independently in animated feature film acquisitions and development with Indie Sales, where she has built an innovative prestigious lineup including the Oscar nominated film My Life as A Zucchini by Claude Barras. Her cartoon television work concentrates on international business development and pre-sales for the award-winning studio, Blue Spirit in France and Canada. Eleanor is very proud to have produced Iranian director Reza Riahi’s handmade stop motion animated short film NAVOZANDE (The Musician) -world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2020 in the official Short Cuts competition. Eleanor is also a sought-after expert sitting on numerous national and local film and broadcast funding commissions in France, as well as a seasoned speaker, moderator, mentor, jury member and instructor at many international animation events, festivals and schools. Eleanor is a founding member and co-vice president of the French association Les Femmes s’Animent, part of the global Women in Animation network dedicated to gender parity and conscious content production. Finally, Eleanor devotes as much time as possible to Vipassana meditation and promoting Tostan, a key human rights NGO in West Africa dedicated to improving the lives of girls, women and their communities in 5 West African countries.

Maria Finders portrait

Maria Finders

Maria Finders is the curator of Luma Days for Luma, Arles. She began a 30-year career mixing art, business and technology. In 2002, she joined Art Basel to create and develop Art Basel Conversations which she directed in Basel and in Miami Beach (2002- 2008) together with Hans Ulrich Obrist. After joining Brunswick Arts as European Director, she was their Strategic Consultant in Communications and Culture, organising the Global Art Forum for Art Dubai (2007- 2009). In 2005, Maria Finders began a decade of projects for the Venice Biennale: she was Art correspondent in 2009 for Daniel Birnbaum and Architectural Correspondent for Rem Koolhaas in 2014, as well as for ten national pavilions including those of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Greece, Spain, the UK, ADACH… Also in Venice she followed the Axel Vervoordt project sin the Fortuny Palazzo, from the conception of Art Tempo in 2007 until TRA: Edge of Becoming in 2011. After creating the international Symposium A2B, Architecture to Basel in 2001, for the Messe Basel Swissbau. she worked on the strategy and campaign for the Aga Khan Architecture Award and for the Mies Award. Between 2011 and 2014, she was part of the Rem Koolhaas team at OMA/AMO as Director of the Cultural and Creative Council, developing a project with and for the Galeries Lafayette and Lafayette Anticipation.

Korina Gutsche portrait

Korina Gutsche

Korina Gutsche is a ‘green’ consultant, teacher, speaker and advocate for sustainability and the environment in media production since 2012. Korina teaches seminars for professionals and students alike on sustainable film making all over Germany and also freelances as production manager. Korina’s professional habitat is nature- and environmental film festivals, bringing attention to global issues trough films such as the global climate crisis and achieving the 17 sustainability goals. Korina has over 30 years of experience as project manager, environmental engineer and communications expert. As a student she was an activist for the green grassroots movement ‘Arche’, helping to launch the Green Party of the former GDR (EAST Germany). In 2018 and 2019 she focused on transforming German art house cinemas to more eco friendly organisations. From 2014 to 2019 she initiated and taught youth film-workshops on green-storytelling and climate-friendly film production, winning the GREEN SCREEN, 'Green Junior Report’ award in 2018. 2013 to 2019 Korina was the curator for the eco friendly ‘Bike-screenings‘ at UFA Fabrik, Berlin and the International Ocean Film Festival CINEMARE. Korina sits on various sustainability expert panels and serves as Jury member at several film festivals. She is an activist for peace, biodiversity and oceanic conservation Her Motto is: We love making movies sustainable.

Richard Wu - Jury Pro

Richard Wu

Richard Wu is an entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience in the gaming industry. While completing his Media Studies from New School in 2006, he co-founded Seed Studio, an indie game studio with its headquarter in Taipei, Taiwan and an office in California, United States. Seed Studio provides game development services to companies across the globe, including Sony, Microsoft, BBC, Disney Interactive, THQ, and WWE. Richard collaborates with these clients to develop multiple hit titles across many genres spanning from sports games (such as WWE Wrestlefest, UFC Personal Trainer, and MLB The Show), simulation games (Sony PlayStation 3’s Railfan: Taiwan High Speed Rail), to family friendly games (such as Disney's Epic Mickey, Disney's Cars, Disney’s Where’s my Water, and BBC’s Doctor Who Legacy mobile game). Subsequently, Richard co-founded Compulsion Games in Montreal. It produced games such as Contrast, which won the Canadian Videogame's Award for best Indie Game and Canadian Videogame Award's Game of the Year (2013); and We Happy Few, which was nominated for Best of E3 Independent Games (2018).

Ed McDonnell - ProJury

Ed McDonnell

Edward L. McDonnell is president of Maple Shade Films, the production company he formed in 2001. He has since produced such films as the Oscar-nominated thriller Sicario, starring Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin; the Oscar-nominated thriller Prisoners, starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal; Original Sin, starring Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas; romantic drama A Walk to Remember, based on the bestselling Nicholas Sparks novel; Shanghai Knights, starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson; and Catwoman, starring Halle Berry. Collaborating with executive producer Steven Spielberg, McDonnell was executive producer of the mystery thriller Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf.   Joining forces with Paul Junger Witt at Warner Bros., McDonnell produced such movies as David O. Russell’s topical Persian Gulf War action adventure Three Kings, starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, and Christopher Nolan’s mystery thriller Insomnia, starring Al Pacino and Hilary Swank. He also served as producer on the family film Racing Stripes, starring Hayden Panettiere. In recent years, McDonnell has branched out into producing episodic television. His credits include Counterpart, starring J.K. Simmons; The Mosquito Coast, starring Justin Theroux and Melissa George; and is currently in production on the limited series Shogun for FX on Hulu.   McDonnell began his career in entertainment at United Artists and MGM, then moved on to Paramount, where he was an executive for nine years. Working with Henry Winkler, he was involved in such pictures as Young Sherlock Holmes before leaving to work on several films with Steven Seagal, including Under Siege and Under Siege 2, Dark Territory, On Deadly Ground, and Glimmer Man.

Nina Marenzi

Nina Marenzi is the Sustainable Angle, Founder and Director in London.While Nina was researching for her dissertation ‘Organic Cotton: Reasons Why the Fashion Industry is Dragging its Heels’ for her MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development at Imperial College, she interviewed numerous fashion designers, representatives of the textiles industry, and NGOs. As a result, the need for curated sustainable textiles showcase became apparent and the Future Fabrics Expo was born. Nina has previously worked as a consultant on various environmental policy initiatives and set up The Sustainable Angle in 2010 to initiate and support projects aimed at reducing the environmental impact of industry.

Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck

Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck is an artist, film maker, curator, and festival judge who lives in Berlin. She creates video installations for exhibitions, stage performances and concerts, among others at Bauhaus Archiv Berlin, Hygiene-Museum Dresden, Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Humboldt Lab, the Berlin Philharmonic as well as opera houses in Berlin, Frankfurt and Zürich. For over 20 years Anna features as a film programmer, moderator or panel participant at various short film festivals such as Pictoplasma, ITFS - Int. Festival of Animated Film Stuttgart, and served as member of the jury for the Szpilman Award for Ephemeral Art, Deutscher Kurzfilmpreis, Fantoche - Int. Animation Film Festival Baden, VIS Vienna Shorts, Regard Quebec, Tel Aviv Int. Student Film Festival, Filmfest Dresden. Since 2019 Anna is heading Berlinale Shorts, the official short film competition of Berlinale - Berlin International Film Festival.

Partners

Schliemann Provence

Schliemann Residency Provence

Situated in a rural setting 20min from Arles in one of France’s most culturally active regions, the Residency was set up by Joana Schliemann to function as a cocoon for creativity, exploration and inspirational dialogue for artists in partnership with other arts organisations. Currently there are two different six-week Residency partnerships:

1. BMSR – The Berlin Masters Schliemann Residency awards once a year one young artist from Berlin for their work in photography, video and/or new media. Always coinciding with the ‘Les Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles’, the artist is given the opportunity to connect with the available professionals and advancing their own practice.

2. SAR – The Sustainability Animation Residency annually awards one director for their ‘Sustainable Short’ project proposal. Allowing space and support to develop their vision into a film pitch which will be presented at the end of the Residency.

miyu distribution

Miyu Distribution

Founded in 2017, Miyu Distribution was created as a partnership between Luce Grosjean and her company Seve Films, Arles, and Miyu Productions, Paris. Specializing in international sales and festival distribution of animation films, Miyu Distribution also distributes graduation films of leading animation schools as well as films from independent producers. www.miyu.fr/

Logo Qarnot Computing

Qarnot Computing

Qarnot provides green cloud computing services: the heat released by the servers during operation is reused to sustainably heat buildings.