Stories x Women launched in 2022 as a collaborative program between WIA and  FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations). The program’s goal is to support access to international opportunities for women creatives from emerging animation communities of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and, ultimately, to increase the diversity of voices in animation.

Each year, delegates from eligible markets are selected to benefit from a series of mentoring and coaching sessions led by internationally acclaimed animation experts that will prepare them to pitch their projects at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market. All participant expenses are paid for by the program, including travel, lodging, and accreditations.

In the first two years, women-led teams from more than two dozen countries applied and 11 delegations representing a dozen countries including Dominican Republic, Brazil, Kenya, Malaysia, Argentia, Peru, South Africa, and Thailand have been chosen.