Day 1 Disrupting Annecy

First day at the Annecy Film Festival – From our Disruptor Mary Jonah

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Under the soft morning light, a distant bell echoed through the air, pulling me from the depths of sleep. I reached for my phone and discovered it was 7:00 am. This bell, as I later learned, faithfully marked each passing hour. As I gazed out of the window, sunlight bathed the room, casting a warm glow upon the surroundings,, although a chill lingered in the air at an slightly uncomfortable 14 degree celsius. Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I prepared myself for the day and joined my colleagues in the living room, eager to explore Annecy

Breakfast at Chevallier

With rumbling stomachs, we unanimously agreed to indulge in breakfast at a charming eatery named Chevallier. As we entered, tantalizing scents of freshly brewed coffee and an assortment of delectable pastries greeted us. Settling at an outdoor table along the lively street, we were treated to food not only to quench our hunger but also to a spectacle of vibrant city life unfolding before our eyes. Succumbing to temptation, I ordered a steaming hot dog sandwich, accompanied by a vibrant salad bowl that boasted an array of colors and flavors. To complete this morning of indulgence, a cup of velvety hot chocolate graced my table. As we savored our meals, we observed the ebb and flow of locals and tourists mingling amidst the beautiful surroundings. While seated with my back to the street, a kind older gentleman at a neighboring table, noticing the potential hazard, warmly cautioned me about the passing trucks. Despite the language barrier, his gesture of concern touched me, leaving me smiling.

Meeting old friends

With satisfied stomachs and a renewed energy, we strolled to the accreditation center for the highly anticipated film festival. Our talented animators, Tobi and Ifunanya, accompanied our boss, Nkem, sought to secure their badges for the festival. Little did we know that fate had woven a web, bringing together three former colleagues from Nigeria; Jibola and Mary, acquaintances of Tobi’s, greeted us with smiles and shared laughter. As an HR professional, witnessing this delightful reunion filled my heart with a sense of happiness. With badges in hand, their faces eager, they sought out their classes, mapping out their schedules for the festival.

Lake Annecy

In our quest to discover where our stand was for the festival tomorrow, we stumbled on a gem along our path – Lake Annecy. The scene unfolded before us like a painting, with majestic green, earthy mountains cradling the shimmering expanse of the lake. Nature’s elegant dancers; ducks and swans, gracefully glided upon the pristine waters, their movements like ballet. Intrigued by its beauty, I sought information on boat rides, yearning to explore the lake further with my colleagues later on our trip.

The Pasta search

Since my arrival, a persistent longing for the comforting plate of pasta had disturbed me. Determined to satiate this desire, we set off to a restaurant named Urban Food. Situated opposite Cinema Pathe, where Tobi and Ifunanya eagerly engaged in film screenings. Though the pasta fell slightly short of my expectations, it did manage to appease my craving.

Black mannequins ?

Walking along the cobblestone streets, our attention was captivated by a quaint storefront adorned with a collection of mannequins. But these were no ordinary mannequins – they were strikingly ebony, in stark contrast to the predominantly white ones we were accustomed to back home. The playful banter amongst my colleagues soon centered on this peculiar sight, as Simi, with a twinkle in her eye, voiced the amusing observation of the disparity between mannequins here and back home. We took pictures and jokingly called them „Baba Dudu.“

Collaborations

Immersed in the happenings of the festival, we wandered the grounds, our cameras capturing the event. As we settled on the grass, an encounter transpired. John, a ghanaian and a fellow animation enthusiast with an appetite for stories, approached us with an invitation – to share our story as African animators. Eagerly, we arranged a meeting for the following day, excited by the prospect of collaborations and intertwining our creativity.

Foodie at heart

Exhausted with eating out, we made a unanimous decision to cook in our air bnb. Accompanied by Nkem, I went to a nearby grocery store. Excitement coursed through my veins as we perused the aisles, meticulously selecting the best ingredients to cook. I went back three times, each visit to ensure we had every thing we needed. Armed with bags of food, we added a bottle of rum and bottles of orange juice, to make enticing cocktails. Amidst shared laughter and animated conversation, we made a meal of rice and chicken wings.

Longer days, shorter nights

As the sun cast its final rays at about 9:00pm. We engrossed in spirited conversations, as we exchanged banter. Gradually, exhaustion came, prompting us to bid each other goodnight and sleep off, one by one. And so, my second day Annecy, France, drew to a satisfying end.