Michel Ocelot joins the signatories of the forum, published by the association "Passeurs d'images" :

Madam Minister of Culture, and Mr. Minister of Education,

Cinema is an art that must be discovered indoors. 

Each year, thanks to programs such as School and Cinema, High School Students and cinema and Apprentices in Cinema schools, over two million young people from primary schools or high schools are taken to movie theaters and discover cinematographic works that they have never seen before and would never go see on their own, in a unique setting.

Taking students to see films in movie theaters may seem common, but it is a strong political act, an act of citizenship, an act of resistance. It has become even more meaningful following the tragic events that took place not long ago and which greatly unsettled the educational community. In a world where fractures seem to get worse every day, schools still “welcome everyone".

Going to a movie theater involves a communal experience during which young minds can share emotions that opens them to freedom of expression. They can learn to decode cinematographic language and acquire a critical mind, which is essential to every citizen.

Cinema education systems are part of the overall economy of cinema. They generate revenue for movie theaters, distributors, artists and lecturers who support the movie performances and are a pathway to the discovery or art. Endangering those systems would endanger all of those key players who are passionate, committed, and essential.

As our fellow citizens face an unprecedented health crisis, the government to which you belong has decided to keep primary schools and high schools open to ensure the continuity of our children’s education. 

The verb educate is a marvelous word and comes from the Latin "ex-ducere", which could be translated as "to guide outwards". Our work, our mission, our duty, is to continue to guide children outwards, to continue to open the doors of cinema to them.

We ask you to confirm to all audio-visual professionals and to the educational community that movie theaters, in accordance with the health protocols they have put in place, can accommodate school audiences. We also ask that the theaters which do not have the economic capacity to maintain part of their activity, benefit from exceptional support in order to carry out these film screenings for schools.

Steve Moreau, a member of ARP (an association of authors-directors-producers), asked the question to 50 filmmakers in France.
Here is Michel Ocelot's answer (in French):

Michel Ocelot's "Dilili in Paris" won the prestigious Cesar award, France's highest film honor, for the best animated feature film. Earlier in February, it was also awarded the Lumières Prize (French Golden Globes) for best feature animation.

"Dilili in Paris", Michel Ocelot's new animated feature film, is released this coming Wednesday October 10th in more than 500 theaters in France.

Michel Ocelot will present his new feature film, "Dilili in Paris", for the opening ceremony of the 42nd International Animation Film Festival, which will be held in Annecy from 11th to 16th June. Due to the high public interest, the festival's organizers have programed two extra screenings on Tuesday the 12th and Saturday the 16th.

After "Cinéma d'animation, au delà du réel" by Xavier Kawa-Topor, published last year by Capricci, several new books on French animation come out this fall in the bookstores :

- "Cinéma d'animation, la French Touch" by Laurent Valière, published by de La Martinière, foreword by Michel Ocelot

- "Kirikou et après..." by Jean-Paul Commin and Didier Brunner, published by Actes Sud

- "Michel Ocelot, bricoleur de génie du dessin animé" by Olivier Demay, published by A dos d'âne

Michel Ocelot travelled to China from March 24 to 30, 2017. The tour, organized as a part of the Meetings with Francophone Cinema, took him him to Beijing, Changchun and Shanghai, where he presented his latest film "Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess".

The franco-german TV channel, which co-produces only one animated film every year, has made its choice. It will support the production of Michel Ocelot's next feature film, "Dilili in Paris". Arte France Cinéma partnered in this co-production with WDR, the German TV channel, a first for an animated film.

Michel Ocelot is this year’s winner of Animafest Lifetime Achievement Award presented on Tuesday 9 June by Animafest. Michel was there to receive it :

“I remember well when Animafest decided to introduce the lifetime achievement award, I was then active in international associations and I followed with passion three or four festivals. I remember thinking: How dreadful! Such lack of empathy, calling an old man and telling him his life is over and here is a medal! But here I am, it is my turn, what do I feel? A great satisfaction. It is truly a great honour to be acknowledged by an international festival like Animafest. And it is truly a great pleasure to get it from Zagreb Festival which means a lot to me: here I experienced absolute happiness, winning my first award for my first personal film, The Three Inventors."Happiness goes on".

The 10th edition of My First Festival (Mon Premier Festival), initiated by the City of Paris, paid a tribute to Michel Ocelot on Oct 22-28 in 11 arthouse cinemas of the capital and at the Forum des Images.

Michel Ocelot received the Nueva Mirada Special Prize for his lifetime achievement, during the 13th edition of the "Nueva Mirada" International Film Festival in Buenos-Aires (Argentina). His feature film "Kirikou and the Men and Women" was awarded two prizes: Children and Young People Jury Award for the Best Animated Feature Film, and the "Golden Kite" for the Best Animated Film.

Michel Ocelot also visited neighboring Divercine Festival in Montevideo and Maldonado (Uruguay). Screening of "Kirikou and the Men and Women" and children workshop.