Philippines animation industry eyes growth, global recognition

CEBU, Philippines —  The Philippines is sharpening its bid to become a larger player in the global animation industry, building on decades of gradual growth since cartoonist Larry Alcala produced one of the country’s earliest animated clips on 8mm film in 1953.

The local sector generated about US$60 million in revenue in 2024, a small but rising share of the US$413 billion global animation market, according to the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI).

The industry employs more than 7,500 professionals, a workforce ACPI expects to double to over 15,000 by 2028, with total market value projected to reach US$141 million.

With expansion accelerating, the country’s annual animation festival “Animahenasyon” is positioning itself as a platform to push the industry into its next phase of growth.

The 19th edition of the festival—organized by ACPI in partnership with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions’ (CITEM) CREATEPhilippines—will run from November 24 to 26 across multiple venues in Metro Manila.

Since its launch in 2007, Animahenasyon has become a barometer of the sector’s creative and commercial momentum, offering animators a venue to showcase work and track global industry shifts.

This year’s festival restores its major events, including AniSine, AniTalk, and the AniKompetisyon Awards, which drew over 100 entries competing for top prizes in professional and student categories.

Trade Component Signals Industry’s Shift Toward Global IP Creation

Animahenasyon 2025 will introduce a business-to-business trade component, a step ACPI and CITEM say could help transition the Philippines from an outsourcing hub into a producer of original global-market content.

The new convention, AniBusiness, will take place on November 26 at Seda BGC in Manila, bringing in local and international buyers, producers, and publishers. Organizers say the event could unlock fresh avenues for outsourcing deals, co-production ventures, and international partnerships—key to elevating Filipino-made IP and attracting investment.

CREATEPhilippines will lead trade facilitation, working with Philippine Trade Investment Centers to recruit foreign buyers and offer participation incentives.

Delegates will have access to networking and business-matching sessions, along with cultural activities designed to showcase the country’s creative roots.

Foreign participants will also join “AniXperience, a “bleisure” program featuring tours of Intramuros on November 27—made possible by the Intramuros Administration—and trips to San Fernando and Bacnotan in La Union on November 28, providing additional engagement opportunities with local studios.

The partnership between ACPI and CREATEPhilippines was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed on October 13. ACPI leaders, including Executive Director Daniel Enriquez and President Marlyn Montano, met with CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo to map out initiatives aimed at raising the country’s profile as a global animation hub.

“Filipino animators and creatives have long been key players in bringing some of the most favorite animated titles to life,” Ocampo said.

“It’s high time the local industry gets the recognition it deserves as a major force in the global animation scene. Through this partnership with ACPI, we hope this year’s Animahenasyon marks the start of the Philippines’ leap toward the next stage of the industry’s evolution,” Ocampo added.