The grand parade of the 20th China International Cartoon & Animation Festival is held in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, on the morning of May 18. [Photo/WeChat account: htvweiyi]

The 20th China International Cartoon and Animation Festival kicked off a vibrant parade along the Hubin Pedestrian Street in Hangzhou on May 18, attracting numerous spectators.

The parade marks the beginning of Hangzhou's Animation Festival Time, which will be held from May 29 to June 2, with main events to take place at the Baima Lake International Exhibition Center and additional venues at the China Animation Museum and three sub-venues in the districts of Shangcheng, Xiaoshan, and Lin'an. Furthermore, five events will take place simultaneously in the districts of Yuhang, Xihu, Linping, and Fuyang, as well as the city of Jiande. The festival features over 30 activities, including exhibitions, screenings, business exchanges, brand competitions, and talent training sessions.

The 20-year-old festival reflects the growth and flourishing of China's animation industry and is a testament to Hangzhou's pioneering efforts to become a "City of Animation".

To commemorate the 20th anniversary, special events include the "20 Years of National Animation" exhibition, the "National Animation at Its Best" series, the "20 Years Together" International Animation Film Week, and "20 Years Growing with National Animation".

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event. [Photo/WeChat account: htvweiyi]

This year, the festival will leverage Hangzhou's leadership in the digital economy by collaborating with leading companies like Alibaba, NetEase, and Bilibili to showcase the latest AI applications in animation. The newly introduced "Digital Entertainment Park" will feature interactive exhibits such as AI image recognition workshops, AR motion capture adventures, and immersive live streaming experiences, allowing visitors to experience the integration of AI and animation firsthand.

In light of significant anniversaries like the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the China-Russia Year of Cultural Exchange, the festival will use platforms like the Zhejiang Digital Culture International Cooperation Zone to deepen international collaborations in animation. Over 50 countries and regions, including Pixar Animation Studios from the United States, the Gwangju Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency from South Korea, and the Russian Animation Film Association, have confirmed their participation.

Internationally renowned animation festivals such as the Angouleme International Comics Festival in France and the Zagreb International Animation Festival in Croatia will also engage in exhibitions, business meetings, talent exchanges, and site visits during the festival.

The festival will also launch the "National Animation at Its Best" talent cultivation initiative, focusing on academic discussions, specialized training, and talent recruitment to nurture high-level and young animation talent, strengthening the industry's talent foundation.