Our Favourite Animation Festivals in Europe

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Cinema is not just cigarettes in the bed, Timothée Chalamet’s irresistible charisma, or poetic, yet sometimes incomprehensible dialogues. Cinema is much more than that! If you grew tired of fiction and are craving for colors and deep involvement, then animated films are just for you.

We at ÉCU love and appreciate all kind of genre spectrum and indie topics. Animated films are very welcome in our submissions! Whether it's a short one, a student one or a feature animated film, our jury is ready to be critical! Yet indulgent. (Of course.)                                                                              

While we are waiting for April to happen so we can all gather in Montparnasse to celebrate indie cinema – let's see other film festivals where you can experience animated peaks. 





FEST ANČA

Crème de la crème of animated film with a sprinkle of craziness and spice. Fest Anča is a serious film festival that doesn´t take itself too seriously. 

Well organized, yet chill and friendly. Taking place in Slovakia, Žilina, the festival offers a safe and cozy atmosphere. If you don´t like to move too much, get distracted, and just stay immersed in the animated world, then Fest Anča is just for you. But don´t worry, you won´t get a leg cramp, there is enough time to get your body funky at the afterparties which are absolutely a blast. Impossible to catch a breath – a guarantee. Fest Anča is an especially good choice for film students and people open to collaborating as there are many networking opportunities. Also, the beers are cheap – literally, no reason why you shouldn't participate if you don´t have any summer plans! 

📍Žilina, Slovakia 🕑28.6. – 1.7.  










ANNECY 

Probably the most important one. The most prestigious one, the oldest one, the biggest one. Maybe a bit overwhelming? Yes. But worth it. This festival is apparently also in minds of many animation filmmakers when they are making their film so they can be sure they got it screened. Simply, Annecy is the place where you want to be if you work in the field of animation because it offers not only every genre of animated film, but also huge networking opportunities and guests the Marché international du film d'animation. You might get a bit lost in the area as well as in the festival’s programming if you don’t plan what you want to see ahead. The sections are clear, but you may find yourself watching a film that might not be the most innovative storytelling as Annecy is giving space to commercial directors as well.

📍 Annecy, France 🕑11.-17.6. 








ZubroOFFKA - International Short Film Festival

A festival not many know about. But definitely should! The Polish East covered in snow is truly a fairytale. The hospitality and care of the organizers even make you feel like royals. Once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere. 

I had the honor to present a film at this festival last year and honestly, didn't want to return home. Because it was not only the organizers who were nice. Fellow directors, volunteers, and locals were also acting as if we had known each other for decades! I've never witnessed grandmas participating in Q&As after screenings. 

And the programming? Five-course meal. The sections aren’t so tiring, you have plenty of time to go from one venue to another and don’t constantly feel like you are missing something. Nevertheless screenings of documentaries, fiction, and Polish animation offer enriching topics for conversations in the evening. Especially the animated ones. Currently, Polish animation films are on the rise, ranking among the best animated productions in the world and I'm always amazed at how innovative and inspiring they are. And sometimes, it's also pretty crazy. Like the afterparties in Zubroffka. It is safe to say that I've seen some crazy animated films but nothing can surpass the Zubroffka´s craziness. 

📍 Białystok, Poland 🕑 6. -10.12.










So yeah! These are my top recommendations for animation-orientated film festivals. I hope it sparked some interest in the animation industry and if not, then you probably still prefer seeing Timothée Chalamet.




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