Czech Republic

by Rustam Hasanov, David Toušek

Being an effective visual storyteller is more important than ever, whether for VR or animated film. This presentation focuses on using narrative elements from source material to create immersive storytelling. Rustam Hasanov Interdisciplinary artist working in Los Angeles. Lead artist and art-director for HBO, Disney, Dreamworks, Guillermo Del Toro, Jay Z. His aspiration is to mix ideas with experiences and turn them into iconic visual moments. David Toušek (ANOMALIA) ANOMALIA Story & Labs incubator (Czech Republic). Since 2015 helping directors and art teams bring concepts to launch. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Éva Darabos

Éva Darabos discusses why block of flats areas are so important for her and offers a glimpse into where her inspiration came from to create award-winning short "Bye Little Block!" (Best Design Award at Ottawa International Animation Festival). Éva Darabos Born and grew up in Budapest, fell in love with drawing and filmmaking in late teens. Admitted to MOME animation department (2013), finished BA then MA. Erasmus semester in Turku, Finland. "Bye Little Block!" (2020) is her graduation film, winning Best Design Award at OIAF and awards in Poznań and Barcelona. Works as freelance animation artist and teacher at PreMOME. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Maja Gehrig

Maja Gehrig is an animation filmmaker and teacher based in Zurich. Her short films use a wide range of techniques and have gained international recognition. "Average Happiness" won Best Swiss Animation 2020. Maja Gehrig Animation filmmaker and teacher based in Zurich. Studied at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (animation degree 2003-2005). Short animation films use wide range of techniques. "Average Happiness" won several prizes including Best Swiss Animation (2020). Teaches at Lucerne University BA Animation course. Co-president of ASIFA Switzerland (GSFA). More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Sean Bobbitt

Sean Bobbitt, producer and CEO at BreakThru Films (Oscar-winning "Peter & The Wolf", Oscar-nominated "Loving Vincent"), shares the production process of "The Peasants" based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Wladyslaw Reymont. Sean Bobbitt (BreakThru Films) CEO of BreakThru Films studio. BreakThru produced Oscar-winning "Peter and the Wolf" (best animated short). "Loving Vincent" (2017) was the world's first fully painted feature film, grossed $42M worldwide. BreakThru continues developing oil-painted animation features. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Tina Smrekar, Maja Gehrig, Luce Grosjean & others

Recognising, reflecting on, and challenging discriminatory structures that perpetuate inequality in cultural and creative sectors. The panel sheds light on inequalities in animation cinema from education to distribution. Tina Smrekar (Finta Film) Co-founder and producer at Finta Film (Slovenia), focusing on short artistic animated films. Produced Špela Čadež's Boles, Nighthawk (70+ awards) and Steakhouse (Locarno, Annecy Jury Award). Supervisory board member of Slovenian audiovisual collecting society AIPA. Maja Gehrig Animation filmmaker and teacher based in Zurich. Her short films use a wide range of techniques. Won Best Swiss Animation 2020. Luce Grosjean (Miyu Distribution) Founded Sève Films (2014), a distribution company promoting student films and young talent directors. Co-created Miyu Distribution (2017), specialized in festival distribution and international sales for animation. Four of her distributed films were Oscar-nominated. Her company received best short film distribution company award by UniFrance (2020). Matea Milić (Animafest Zagreb) Festival producer of Animafest Zagreb since 2015. Coordinates AFN Animation Festival Network. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Olga Zhurzhenko

Rotoscopy is experiencing a renaissance, especially in adult animation and art-house projects. This session explores what rotoscopy truly is (and isn't), tracing its artistic roots and resurgence. Using insights from "The Peasants", "Rock Bottom", and "Children on Fire", the speaker shares when rotoscopy becomes the right artistic and production choice. Olga Zhurzhenko (BreakThru Films) Ukrainian producer, first feature THE TRUMPETER (2014). Cooperates with BreakThru Films on The Peasants, opened animation studio in Kyiv for them. Member of Producers Guild of America, European Film Academy and Ukrainian Film Academy. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Špela Čadež

Špela Čadež presents her work as director, animator, and producer. Through examples of films, photos, storyboards she gives insight into stop motion work. Špela Čadež (Finta Studio) Animation director and co-founder of Finta Studio (Ljubljana, Slovenia). Films received 100+ awards worldwide, screened at Sundance, Locarno, Clermont Ferrand, Annecy. Passionate advocate for analogue animation, specializing in puppet and cut-out techniques. Invited to become member of American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (2018). More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Réka Temple, Maciej Jakubczyk, Zuzana Oharek Bahulova & others

Join our panel discussion on animation for young audiences. Talking about young audience cinema, it is often assumed that animation might be the only type of films that easily transcend the domestic market – "animation travels easily and sells easily". But is that really so? When producing animation for teenagers, what could it look like? Does the family audience really exist? All panelists have a background in young audience content, whether as filmmaker, producer or festival programmer. Together with the audience, they will search for an answer to one of the biggest clichés in the world of cinema: "Animation is only for children". Réka Temple (Cinemon Entertainment) Over 25 years of experience in the film and television industry and has contributed to over 300 half-hour episodes, 8 feature films and numerous specials, shorts and commercials, which have altogether earned over 100 awards and nominations worldwide. Prior to joining Cinemon Entertainment worked at Loonland Media AG (Germany). Secretary General of the Hungarian Producer's Association (2005-2009), headed the Animation Department at the Institute of Theatre and Film (2010-2014). Currently President of the Hungarian Animation Producers' Association and represents the country as Ambassador at the European Animation Awards. Maciej Jakubczyk (New Horizons Association) Board Member of New Horizons Association (Poland) in film festival, distribution, film education and production. Distributes about 12 family titles per year. Head of Kids Kino International Film Festival and Kids Kino Industry. Board member of European Children Film Association. Expert on films and series for young audiences for Polish Film Institute. Zuzana Oharek Bahulova (Zlín Film Festival) Czech animator and designer, PhD in animation. Studied at CalArts (USA). Programmer for short animations at Zlín Film Festival. Her projects won Red Dot (2x), German Innovation Awards, European Product Design Award. Clothes designed by her were worn by German and Jamaican Olympic teams. Linda Hambäck (LEE Film) Swedish film director, founder of LEE Film. In film/TV since 1998, mainly animated films for children. Feature "Gordon & Paddy" premiered at Berlinale 2018. Second feature "The Ape Star". Produced animated parts of Oscar-winning "Searching for Sugar Man". Attended EAVE program 2002. Co-wrote "Familjepack". Gert Hermans (JEF / ECFA) Works for JEF, the Belgian contact point for young audience cinema. Content & communication manager for ECFA (European Children's Film Association). Chief editor of the ECFA Journal. Involved in Europe's biggest children's film festivals. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Nicolai Troshinsky

Animation filmmaker, illustrator and game designer Nicolai Troshinsky will share the work process behind his videogame Card Shark, discussing ideas, philosophies, methods and, most importantly, many tricks and cheats. He will reveal his own conceptual and technical tricks that have helped him achieve unique visual styles and find innovative ideas, as well as how he managed to stay focused, creative and motivated while working on big projects over long periods of time. Nicolai Troshinsky Animation filmmaker, illustrator and game designer (Russia). Creator of the video game "Card Shark" (2022), which features real card manipulation techniques sourced from the works of John Nevil Maskelyne, S.W. Erdnase and others. Known for unique visual styles and innovative game design. (Person page: minimal info) More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Martina Peštaj, Jure Vizjak, Clémence Bragard

Join us for a panel discussion on the topic of TV Specials for children. We will explore an overview of the content, formats and financing and have a comparative discussion on the situation in France and Slovenia. With our guest experts we will discuss the role and expectations of broadcasters, the opportunities and struggles for producers and creatives and try to draw some conclusions about the emerging popularity of the TV Specials format. Martina Peštaj (RTV Slovenija) Head of Children's and Youth Programme at RTV Slovenija. Selector for foreign animation and live-action series for children and youth. Media Psychologist, gives lectures, publishes articles, participates in research projects. Works as selector with Animateka Ljubljana and Animafest Zagreb. Jure Vizjak (Invida Studio) Co-founder of studio Invida (Slovenia, 2004). Vast experience in production of all types of media content: short films, TV series, feature film, motion graphics, TV ads. Invida is one of the leading animation production studios in Slovenia. Clémence Bragard (AFCA / ASIFA-France) Artistic director of the French Animation Film Festival on behalf of AFCA (Association Française du Cinéma d'Animation). Moderator and programmer for Annecy Festival. Works in programming at AFCA. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Déri Miklós

Unreal Engine has become one of the most powerful tools transforming animation, game development, and virtual production. This session provides a hands-on introduction to Unreal as a creative environment, demonstrating how real-time tools are reshaping the animation workflow and bridging the gap between film and interactive media. Déri Miklós (DIGIC Pictures) Senior 3D generalist and concept artist with 20 years of design and 3D experience. Over the past 10 years worked in the film industry as concept and VFX artist. Currently at DIGIC Pictures (Hungary), a multi-award-winning animation studio. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Mascha Halberstad, Lea Pagáčová

Dutch director Mascha Halberstad will take us behind the scenes of her stop-motion work for children. She will focus primarily on her feature-length animated films – Oink (2022) and Fox and Hare Save the Forest (2024), which premiered at this year's Berlinale in the Berlinale Generation competition section. Mascha Halberstad Dutch animation director. Studied at ArtEZ Art Academy in Arnhem. Created the 3-part series "Picknick with Cake" (awarded Cinekid Kinderkast 2013). Her film "Munya in Me" won Grand Jury Prize at BANFF. Directed "Fox & Hare" series (Cinekid Audience Award). Feature debut "Oink" (2022) premiered at Berlinale Generation, won three Golden Calves at Dutch Film Festival 2024. "Fox and Hare Save the Forest" premiered at Berlinale 2024. Lea Pagáčová (National Film Center of the Slovak Film Institute) Graduated from Audiovisual Studies at the Faculty of Film and TV, the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. Writes and edits texts about films. Participates in distribution and film education projects. Coordinator for CEE Animation Forum. Works at the National Film Center of the Slovak Film Institute, focusing on presentation of Slovak cinema locally and globally. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Elizabeth Mathieson

Step into the metaverse with the BBC! Discover how we boldly entered Roblox and connected with a whole new generation. This session unveils the creative journey behind bringing our most iconic brands to life in a virtual world, the challenges we faced in engaging young audiences – and the innovative ways we overcame them. If you're curious about how legacy media can thrive in digital playgrounds, this is a story you won't want to miss. Elizabeth Mathieson (BBC Children's) Leading the digital development team, focusing on the future thinking, strategic direction and development for BBC Children's, as well as leading the games content production team and apps product development for CBeebies and CBBC, including the CBeebies Playtime Island, Go Explore, Get Creative and Storytime apps. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Marek Náprstek

Anifilm 2017.

• Non-narrative

by Filip Pošivač

International Festival of Animated Films Anifilm 2/5 - 7/5 2023 Liberec, Czech Republic.

• Non-narrative

by Eliška Oz, Lee Oz

International Festival of Animated Films Anifilm Liberec, Czech Republic.

• Non-narrative

by Ádám Felszeghy, Barbara Sigmundová

Hungarian producer Ádám Felszeghy will take us behind the scenes of the animated documentary Pelikan Blue (2023). He will share insights into its development, production process, and the challenges the team faced. The masterclass will explore the creative and technical solutions used, from animatic to final post-production, revealing how the film evolved from concept to completion. Ádám Felszeghy (ULab) Hungarian producer at ULab (powered by Umbrella). Produces feature films, documentaries, shorts and animation. Barbara Sigmundová Slovak co-host and moderator for CEE Animation Experience. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Sepideh Farsi, Tomas Danay, Juraj Krasnohorsky

Masterclass will focus on the production of the film THE SIREN and a description of using the Motion Capture Technology. The focus of this masterclass will be on the feature-length animated film THE SIREN, on which a large part of the animation of the 3D characters was realised using Motion Capture technology through the Slovak company Artichoke and the animation studio Blue Faces. This is the first ever project of this size to be realised using this technology in Slovakia. Sepideh Farsi Born in Tehran, later moved to Paris where she studied mathematics but soon began filmmaking. After several short films, directed documentary "Homi D. Sethna, Filmmaker" which won several awards. Documentaries "Harat" and "Tehran Without Permission" premiered in Locarno. Feature films "Dreams of Dust" and "The Gaze" screened at Rotterdam. "The House Under the Water" won NETPAC Award. Latest film "The Siren" had world premiere at Berlinale. Tomas Danay (Blue Faces) Graduated in animation at the Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts (VŠMU). Main animator at Blue Faces studio. Worked on many foreign films (Green Hornet, Xibalba, Asura) and games (NBA 2k16, Shadows: Awakening), as well as commercials and music videos (Lil Dicky – Pillow Talking). Teaches computer animation at VŠMU, programme director of Festival BAB (Bratislava Animation Biennial). Juraj Krasnohorsky (Artichoke) Producer based in Bratislava. With Henrieta Tsvangová founded Artichoke (2010), producing fiction and animated films. Co-produced short "Superbia" (2016) which premiered at Semaine de la Critique in Cannes. Co-producing "White Plastic Sky" and stop-motion feature "Of Unwanted Things and People". EAVE graduate, member of Slovak Association of Animated Film Producers, board member of VAF, initiator/co-organizer of CEE Animation Workshop. Head of studies for CEE Animation Workshop. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Susanne Freese, Anna Vášová, Katarina Kerekesova

What made a German distributor pick an Eastern European IP? What does it take to successfully pitch to German decision makers and to what extent can it serve as entry point to the wider European market? Susanne Freese (OneGate Media) Senior Manager Kids & Family at OneGate Media (formerly Studio Hamburg Enterprises) since 1998. Oversees licensing/co-financing of feature films, series and animation. Works closely with NDR, ARD stations and Kika. Also responsible for programme acquisition for national and international TV/VOD/DVD distribution. Anna Vášová (13ka) Started as a script executive for Czech TV. Lectured at the Academy of Performing Arts. Headed the script department at Czech TV. Founded 13ka production company focusing on auteur-driven films. Katarina Kerekesova (Fool Moon) Completed studies at Animation Film Department of VŠMU Bratislava. Founded Fool Moon (2009). Director and producer of Slovak TV series "Mimi and Lisa" and "The Websters". Executive Director of Slovak Association of Animated Film Producers. Lecturer at Animation Film Department in Bratislava. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of

by Zsuzsanna Kreif

Starting out as a director after graduation, developing your own projects is not a smooth process anymore. Zsuzsanna shares her experience about the development attempts of Dino Doom on Desert Planet, discussing the various development stages, pitch forums, residencies abroad, and balancing applied work with own creative projects. Zsuzsanna Kreif Freelance animation director and illustrator based in Budapest. MOME graduate. First film "Limbo-Limbo Travel" (co-directed with Bori Zétényi) was selected to Sundance, Annecy, Clermont-Ferrand and was Oscar-eligible in 2016. Directed 13-episode satirical TV series "Candide" (2015-2018). Currently developing new personal projects and teaching at MOME. More information and lectures at: https://www.ceeanimation.eu https://www.ceeanimation.eu/experience/cee-animation-experience/ https://www.facebook.com/ceeanimation/ CEE Animation Experience is a series of webinars organized in cooperation with selected partners in the CEE region. This activity targets animation industry professionals, who will gain new insights as shared by top regional and world experts and get a rewarding experience of film production directly.

• Documentary
• Making of