Programs > Stories X Women
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.
Applicants are encouraged to watch the webinar Pitch Bible Basics for Series and Features before applying.
The program is generously supported by The Walt Disney Company with partnership from FIAPF and UNESCO.
2025 - Stories x Women: Pitch Bible Basics
Are you prepping your materials to enter this year’s Stories X Women program? Are you unsure of what the judges are expecting to see?
Heather Kenyon, the project’s main creative mentor, gives an overview and helpful tips about the elements that should be included in your materials. Overviews, character descriptions, loglines, cover art, springboards, and more — what do they all mean, and in what order should they all go? Heather will give clear ideas about how your presentations should be submitted.