The Philippine animation industry has transformed dramatically since legendary cartoonist Larry Alcala created his first black-and-white animated clip in 1953. Today, the sector stands as a significant contributor to the global animation market and continues to expand at an impressive rate.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Recognition
According to the Animation Council of the Philippines Inc. (ACPI), the country's animation industry generated approximately US$60 million in revenue in 2024 within the global animation market valued at US$413 billion. The industry currently employs more than 7,500 Filipino professionals across various animation houses and studios.
Projections indicate even more substantial growth ahead. By 2028, the Philippine animation sector is expected to be worth US$141 million and employ over 15,000 professionals, positioning it as a major driver of economic activity and job creation in the country.
Animahenasyon 2025: Pushing Boundaries
The 19th edition of Animahenasyon, organized by ACPI in partnership with CreatePhilippines, will take place from November 24-26, 2025 across multiple venues in Metro Manila. Since its establishment in 2007, the festival has served as a crucial platform for both veteran and emerging animators to showcase their work and stay current with global industry trends.
This year's festival features several signature activities including AniSine film screenings at Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema on November 24, AniTalk conferences at Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premiere on November 25, and the prestigious AniKompetisyon Awarding ceremony recognizing outstanding Filipino animators.
The competition received over a hundred entries competing for top honors in categories including the Animahenasyon Audience Choice Award, Toon City Choice Award, and Grand Prize in both Student and Professional divisions.
New Trade Component Signals Industry Evolution
A significant development for Animahenasyon 2025 is the introduction of AniBusiness, a B2B convention scheduled for November 26 at Seda BGC. This marks the festival's first trade component and represents a strategic move to transform the Philippines from a trusted outsourcing destination into an international animation hub capable of producing world-class original content.
Through CreatePhilippines, the event will bring together international and local buyers, producers, and publishers with Filipino creatives. The organization will facilitate networking and business-matching services while offering foreign buyers a unique bleisure (business plus leisure) program that includes tours of Intramuros and La Union destinations.
The partnership between CreatePhilippines and ACPI was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed last October 13. CreatePhilippines executive director Leah Pulido Ocampo emphasized that "Filipino animators and creatives have long been key players in bringing some of the most favorite animated titles to life" and expressed hope that this year's Animahenasyon marks "the start of the country making that leap toward the next stage of the Philippine animation industry's evolution."
