The 27th edition of World Festival of Animated Film Animafest Zagreb will take place at various locations throughout the city starting tomorrow, June 5, and ending on June 10.
Established in 1972, Animafest is the second oldest film festival in the world completely dedicated to animation. Launched thanks to the global reputation of the filmmakers sprung from the Zagreb School of Animation, founded based on the decision of ASIFA, International Animated Film Association, Zagreb Film production company and City of Zagreb, Animafest Zagreb takes place every year early in June.Until 2005 the festival was held
Until 2005 the festival was held biennially, and afterwards continued in the annual rhythm, devoting even years to short film and odd years to feature film. After Zagreb Film and Zagreb Concert Management, in 2007 the festival organisation was taken over by the private production company Hulahop with the aim of further development and balancing the programme with the requirements of contemporary tendencies, approaching broader audiences and providing added values to professionals.
Animafest Zagreb always has been, alongside festivals in Annecy, Ottawa and Hiroshima, a part of the obligatory circuit in the animation community’s calendar. Animafest’s Grand Prix winners directly qualify for the Academy Award and the main European animation award, Cartoon d’Or.
More than 300 films selected out of the 1,600 submitted to the competition will be screened at locations such as Kino Europa, Tuškanac, and Kinoteka.
Animafest Zagreb is a festival of Zagreb people and all those who feel at home here, regardless of their age: the Children and Youth Programme consists of films selected by experts and categorised by age for the youngest film lovers and their parents. High schoolers get their first insight into experimental and avant-garde tendencies. Evenings are dedicated to entertainment at concerts and various side events. Part of the program is dedicated to comics, student films, and Croatian films as well.
This year’s programme includes events at Art Park, Grič Tunnel, Galerija Šira and Galerija Ulupuh, among other places. As an introduction to the festival, there were open-air film screenings at Ribnjak Park and Gradec Summer Cinema. Check the programme and the films here.
Fun facts:
- The festival logo (Z) and the first poster were made by Borivoj Dovniković Bordo and Zlatko Bourek.
- The festival mascot Mandlek, a little man with a bowler hat, is redesigned every year. Historically, the most famous is the one designed by Zvonimir Lončarić, a long-time festival poster author
- The recognisable festival jingle was composed by the renowned jazz musician Igor Savin.
- The Mr. M Audience Award was named after the first festival director, Mr Želimir Matko.
- The first festival in 1972 received 308 entries – in 2015 the number of entries reached 1605
Find out more at www.animafest.hr/en and like them on Facebook.
All photos from Animafest Zagreb Facebook page.
