Since a couple of weeks this does not stop

Since a couple of weeks, this does not stop. We have several teams of television, magazines came reporting... A true parade. "Véronique Lable, Director of the school of Gobelins, Paris, is not. The reason for this unusual fever is called "oktapodi": a cartoon of 2 minutes and 27 seconds, achieved by a team of 6 graduates from the class of 2007. The story of two octopuses who, to escape a kitchen clerk, undertake a frenzied pursuit race. "Oktapodi" () prepares to know his hour of glory: it is selected for the Oscars this weekend in Hollywood, in the animated short Films category. To the best professionals from the United States (the famous Pixar studios), Japan, of Great Britain...

This Award nomination owes nothing to chance. Third-year students of goblins, by teams of 5 or 6, must produce a film about two minutes. This work of education allows them to expand their book and also, often, to land a job. Each year, two or three of these films are award winning festivals. "oktapodi" thus trusté awards in Annecy at the Siggraph in Los Angeles at Imagina to Hiroshima... Better: is the DreamWorks people themselves who advised its authors to submit it to the Oscars.

But the Hollywood adventure "oktapodi" beyond the case of a team of former students and a school: it is the profession of animation in France which is under the spotlight. A profession who, after a long passage, successfully bounce and to restart. So now appear first in the European and the third in the world, behind the United States and the Japan.

Two reasons for this success. First, a certain expertise to the French designers of the animation. "They don't just apply to revenue, but develop their own personal universe, says Patrick Eveno, Director of the Festival of Annecy. And their productions display a wide variety. "From this point of view, the output of"kirikou et la sorcière", Michel Ocelot, in 1998, was a turning point: African tale, done with care, has been able to touch a large audience. He also served as a potential developer and released the creative energies.

Ecosystem

"On the international market, the French enjoy an excellent reputation," confirmed Philippe Meis, Director of studies of school Supinfocom in Valenciennes. Unlike the Americans, who rely more on technology, they focus first on the aesthetic and artistic qualities. They place the technology at the service of the image. "In short, the"touch French"is a reality, recognized in the world. No wonder if found graduates from the hexagon in most of the major American studios or British, or Japanese.

Second factor key, a legal and regulatory environment favourable. With the system of aid to cinema and the audiovisual industry, the requirement that television channels to invest and broadcast of European works, the account support... All this has fostered a solid animation sector. And whose radiation goes well beyond the only economic issues.

Result, a true dynamic ecosystem has developed in France. It includes production houses (independent, most often), schools deemed professional unions... Not to mention festivals, especially numerous in France. Annecy, in June, with its professional 7,000 from the entire planet, is the first in the world for the specialty. The public the children, but also adults follows. And the benefits are not lacking for the whole industry of the image: the video game, Internet, advertising... "oktapodi" was successful in Hollywood, if any profession that would benefit from a new impetus. At the Gobelins as among all the actors in the animation, it crosses fingers. "That would be great if"oktapodi"won the oscar but it also brings us a sacred pressure," noted Floriane Marchix, a student in her third year of the goblins. Verdict Sunday.