Cooperativa Nascente has signed an agreement with ESAD to revamp CINANIMA’s visual identity, marking the start of a new era for the festival’s future.
After 50 years, Cooperativa Nascente looks to the future with the same conviction with which it has built its legacy over the last five decades: culture thrives through collaboration. It is in this spirit that the partnership between CINANIMA and the Higher School of Arts and Design (ESAD) has been established. Formalised through a cooperation agreement covering three academic years, this collaboration aims to give students the opportunity to learn through real-world projects, whilst simultaneously furthering their education and revitalising the festival’s visual identity.
The relationship between the two organisations is not a recent one. Over the last few years, the festival and ESAD have carried out a number of joint initiatives, including the creation of a festival opening sequence, the creation of an art installation by Interior Design students, and CINANIMA’s participation in teaching activities, workshops and sessions with guest directors.
“There is an ongoing dialogue and a growing relationship with CINANIMA, which has now taken the form of a memorandum of understanding,” explains Tomé Quadros, academic director of ESAD.
The protocol covers three key areas of CINANIMA’s visual identity: the poster, designed by Communication Design students; the trailer, created by Digital Arts and Multimedia students; and the festival award, produced by Product Design students.
Design students hear from designer João Machado, who has been responsible for creating the festival’s visual identity and its posters over the years. With a highly acclaimed and award-winning international career, João Machado is a leading figure in Portuguese graphic design.
Originally planned to last two academic years, the agreement was extended to three years at the suggestion of ESAD. According to Tomé Quadros, this period will enable students to develop skills in a real-world context, consolidating their knowledge and tackling practical challenges that go far beyond traditional academic exercises.
This vision is deeply aligned with the institution’s philosophy. Teaching at ESAD is based on a ‘learning by doing’ approach, prioritising experimentation and direct contact with the professional world. “It is very important that students learn practical skills in a real-world context,” emphasises the academic director. The link with a leading institution such as CINANIMA, which is recognised both nationally and internationally, represents both an opportunity and an added responsibility for the students.
“For me, CINANIMA is a leading institution, one that enjoys prestige and recognition, and for us, this makes our students’ participation all the more important,” says Tomé Quadros.
In turn, the festival benefits from the creative energy and fresh perspectives of a generation of emerging talent.
In a particularly symbolic year, in which CINANIMA is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Tomé Quadros highlights the festival’s cultural impact in Portugal, which is reflected in the growing interest of the general public – and, in particular, of students – in animated films. “We feel that students, with a certain degree of consistency and producing some very interesting results, are moving strongly towards this side of animation and illustration – an area that is somewhat peripheral, but it is nonetheless interesting to see that this trend is developing here,” comments Tomé Quadros.
The director also believes that this partnership could lead to new areas of collaboration in the future. In addition to the production of visual content, there is potential to develop research projects, round-table discussions, conferences, workshops and other initiatives that encourage critical thinking and reflection on animated cinema and the creative industries.
