At the Kashan Animation Investment Event, a large number of animation projects successfully attracted funding after a rigorous selection process.
According to IBland’s News, According to Amirmohammad Dehestani, Deputy for Strategy and Production Support at the Iran National Animation Foundation, the event marked one of the most successful animation investment initiatives held in the country.
Dehestani explained that nearly 160 animation projects were submitted to the Kashan Animation Investment Event. After detailed expert evaluations; including project files, samples, concept art, scripts, and creators’ backgrounds; 36 projects advanced to the pitching stage, and 28 of them successfully secured investment.
Project Categories and Pitching Process
Of the selected projects:
- 21 projects were presented in the MVP (prototype development) category for series and feature films
- 15 projects competed in the artistic and experimental short animation category
Before the main event, accepted participants attended four training workshops and one dedicated preparatory session. They were then invited to Kashan to formally pitch their projects.
Dehestani described the Kashan Animation Investment Event as a highly effective model that could be replicated on a broader national scale.
Investors and Evaluation Structure
The event brought together a wide range of public and private investors. Two independent evaluation panels held discussions with creators, highlighted key strengths for investors, and recorded scores.
These scoring tables were shared with investors to guide final funding decisions alongside their own assessments.
As a result:
- 16 out of 21 MVP projects secured investment
- 12 out of 15 artistic and experimental projects received funding
In total, only eight projects did not attract investors; meaning 28 out of 36 pitched projects were funded, an exceptionally high success rate for the Kashan Animation Investment Event.
Participating Investors and Production Outlook
Investors included major institutions such as:
- IRIB Children and Youth Center
- Owj Children and Youth Center
- Mahva Center
- Matna Center
- Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults
- Documentary and Experimental Film Development Center
- Filmiiz Platform
- Sepehr Investment Fund
- Provincial resources of the Ministry of Culture
- Iran National Animation Foundation
Dehestani noted that funding these projects effectively guarantees their production. All 28 selected works are scheduled for completion, with production timelines typically ranging from six months to two years, depending on project scope.
Selected MVP Projects for Series and Feature Films
Among the funded MVP projects are:
Seven Trials of a Hero (Dir. Seyed Mehdi Hosseini),
I Wasn’t Afraid of Anything (Dir. Sadegh Rouhi),
Samak Ayyar (Dir. Farrokh Yekdaneh),
Dali (Dir. Davoud Kharman-Zar),
Gagoolia (Dir. Mohammad Hossein Soleimanian-Rizi),
Little Star (Dir. Ali Basiri),
Calm in the Circus of Wonders (Dir. Mohammad Kheirandish),
Forbidden Land (Dir. Mehdi Kharoushi),
Hab al-Hossein Pilgrim Lodge (Dir. Hamidreza Izadi),
Nature Guardians (Dir. Marzieh Zakari),
The Story of a Particle (Dir. Reyhaneh Yousef-Abadi),
Shatoot Adventures (Dir. Narges Fazli),
Anahita (Dir. Ashkan Rahgozar),
Little Guardian (Dir. Khashayar Alvandi),
Najma (Dir. Mohammad Hossein Alamdari),
High Five (Dir. Hossein Valian).
Artistic and Experimental Projects Receiving Funding
Artistic and experimental projects selected include:
When the Sky Fell (Dir. Omid Khoshnegar),
When Mom Was Little (Dir. Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib),
Mitchka (Dir. Mina Mahmoudi),
Mom (Dir. Mahin Javaherian),
Uncle Saddam (Dir. Ali Fotouhi),
Elegy of Fairies (Dir. Majidreza Eyvazi),
Bird of Wishes (Dir. Ziba Arjang),
Cheese Idol (Dir. Voriya Nikmanesh),
The Other Side (Dir. Ameneh Monshizadeh),
It Was Night (Dir. Amir Mehdi Shaterian),
I Was Behind the Cabinet (Dir. Zahra Arabi),
Suspended (Dir. Hojir Asadi).
Source: Mehrnews