Meet the festivals: Anibar International Animation Festival

A festival that has supported the development of animated film in Kosovo for 17 years, while also serving as an annual showcase of the latest in animation from around the world – meet the Anibar International Animation Festival. It will take place in Peja, Kosovo, from July 12 to 18.

This year, the organizers decided to skip selecting a single overarching theme, hoping to give the audience the freedom to choose – to feel however they want and experience whatever they want. Nevertheless, however, Anibar focuses on reflecting on collective states and the issues that shape society. This year, more than 2,000 films were submitted to the festival and 171 film from 45 countries made it into the official programme. Anibar will feature screenings at five theatres across Peja.

The Anibar film programme is divided into nine categories, six of which are competitive: International Competition, Student Competition, Balkan Competition, Human Rights Competition, Animated Music Video Competition, and Young Audience Competition. The remaining three non-competitive sections are AniDox (documentary films), Commissioned Works, and Experimental. The program also includes feature films and VR programme.

This year, the Anibar Animation Festival presents an audiovisual invitation in the form of an animated trailer by Finnish animator Jenny Jokela. Last year, Jokela won second place in Anibar’s International Competition with her film Dollhouse Elephant (2025). Her work is characterized by a vibrant expressiveness, through which she highlights deep emotions and personal experiences. Using playful visuals, the trailer showcases the city of Peja as it comes to life with bursts of colour and a diverse cast of characters.

In addition to screenings, the festival also features a wide range of workshops and masterclasses. One of them is a mixed-media creative workshop led by Albana Hajdini, an illustrator, graphic designer and motion designer based in Prishtina, and Leonita Thaqi, an animator and visual effects artist from Kosovo. Over the course of five days, participants will have the opportunity to explore the festival venue through photography and video. These images will then serve as the foundation for stop-motion animation.

Another highlight will be the Sound Design Workshop for Animated Films, organized by the Noisy Neighbors collective from Switzerland and the UK. The workshop will be led by Etienne Kompis, a sound designer, dialogue editor, and re-recording mixer, and Aline Schoch, a sound designer and animated film director. Participants will learn more about the possibilities of sound in storytelling and how to work with sound libraries.

Anibar also supports emerging animators and filmmakers, offering them a platform to present upcoming projects, gain support, and network within the industry. A major highlight of the event will therefore be the pitching competition, now celebrating its fifth year.

For anyone wishing to explore a new region, discover its film community and Balkan animation, or broaden their horizons through animated documentaries and experimental films, the Anibar Animation Festival in the city of Peja begins on July 12.