Animafest Zagreb 2024 Unveils Extensive Programme in Croatia
he Kranjčar Gallery in Zagreb hosted a press conference to unveil the programme for the World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb 2024. Taking place from June 3 to 8 across various locations including SC Cinema, Kinoteka Cinema, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, the festival will showcase 350 films from 77 countries.
Artistic director Daniel Šuljić, along with producers Matea Milić and Paola Orlić, and Emina Višnić, Head of the Office for Culture and Civil Society of Zagreb, highlighted the prestigious competitions and special programmes. Phil Mulloy, a celebrated British animator and recipient of the Animafest 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, also attended the event.
Animafest 2024, regarded as one of the three most important animated film festivals globally, received over 1,800 submissions, with 35 short films making it into the Grand Competition – Short Film. Šuljić noted the inclusion of six Croatian films in the international competitions, reflecting the robust local animation scene.
World premieres at the festival include Percebes by Laura Gonçalves and Alexandra Ramires, The Route by Babak Beigi, and Contradiction of Emptiness by Irina Rubina. Esteemed animators such as Flóra Anna Buda, Darija Khascheeva, and Ryo Orikasa will also compete.
The Masters of Animation retrospective will honor Phil Mulloy, known for his stark black-and-white drawings and satirical style. Mulloy’s works will be featured in a 20-film retrospective and an exhibition titled "The End of Innocence."
Animafest 2024 will also host the International Symposium on Contemporary Animation, Animafest Scanner XI, focusing on the history and future of animation. Additionally, the festival will present the third edition of Rise & Shine, a workshop supporting emerging animators.
The festival’s children and youth programmes will offer a range of films suitable for different age groups, selected for their themes of nature, mental health, and resilience. Special screenings include The Boy and the Heron by Hayao Miyazaki and family-friendly films like Chicken for Linda and Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds.
Exhibitions accompanying the festival will feature works by Malte Stein, Tisja Kljaković Braić, and student projects from the Belgrade Metropolitan University. The AFN Edu programme will foster student mobility and international cooperation, with a focus on supporting women in animation.
Animafest’s impact on Zagreb’s cultural scene is significant, turning the city into a hub of global animation culture. The festival’s various events, from masterclasses to open-air screenings, highlight the vibrant and inclusive spirit of Animafest Zagreb.