Panel Discussion: TV Specials for Children | M. Peštaj, J. Vizjak, C. Bragard | CEEA Experience

by Michaela Sabolcakova, Martina Peštaj, Tiivi Tüür

Gain unique insights into commissioning practices of three CEE public broadcasters. Michaela Sabolčáková (Slovak TV) opens with trends in children's content, audience preferences, distribution platforms, licensing, and IP brands. Followed by Martina Peštaj (RTV Slovenia) and Tiivi Tüür (ERR Estonia). Michaela Sabolcakova (Radio and Television of Slovakia) Works as a selector and commissioning editor of animated TV series, specials, movies and live action series for children and youth at the Radio and Television of Slovakia. Previously worked for an international distribution company. Started career at Slovak Television in the organising team of the International Television Festival Prix Danube. Martina Peštaj (RTV Slovenija) RTV Slovenia. Tiivi Tüür (ERR Estonia) Acquisitions executive at ERR (Estonian Public Broadcasting), responsible for kids' content acquisition. Commissioning editor of animation, seeking content for children aged 4+. Attends major markets like NATPE Budapest. Involved in ERR's transition to streaming via on-demand service Jupiter. 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.

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by Martina Peštaj, Lucia Dubravay Trautenberger

Animation is often labelled “for children” without asking which children. This session introduces the Young Audience Rating System, a practical tool that connects the developmental characteristics of each age group, from toddlers to late adolescents, with the elements that shape an animated film: story, characters, emotions, visual language and humour. Media psychologist Martina Peštaj explains how attention, emotional understanding, moral reasoning and the sense of humour change with age, and what this means in practice. Aimed at creators, producers, distributors, broadcasters and festival programmers working with young viewers. The Young Audience Rating System was developed within the project Animation HUB. Speakers: Martina Peštaj (media psychologist), Lucia Dubravay Trautenberger (Animation HUB) Martina Peštaj (media psychologist) Martina Peštaj is a Slovenian media psychologist and film currator specialising in children’s and youth media. She works at RTV Slovenija, where she is an editor in the Children’s and Youth Programme and has extensive experience as a creator, scriptwriter, and editor of television content for young audiences. She also selects international animated and live-action series and oversees their adaptation for Slovenian audiences. Lucia Dubravay Trautenberger (Animation HUB) Project Manager of Animation HUB, a CEE Animation initiative dedicated to improving the visibility, accessibility, and circulation of European animated works and connecting audiences, filmmakers, festivals, educators, and industry professionals. In 2024, she co-founded Bear With Me Distribution, a company specialising in festival distribution, sales, and international promotion of animated films. Alongside her work with Animation HUB, she continues to work in international distribution and supports animated projects in reaching festivals, markets, professional networks, and audiences worldwide.

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by Alissa Aubenque, Adrien Roche

The Green Animation Guide was released at MIFA and is the first international reference guide for sustainable practices in animation. It provides peer-driven actionable recommendations tailored to the needs of studios, producers and artists. The guide is a collaborative effort led by Ecoprod, Green Film and Cine Regio. The webinar combines a presentation of the guide and inspiring case studies. Alissa Aubenque (Ecoprod) Head of Operations and International at Ecoprod (France). Committed to empowering film and TV industry to reduce environmental footprint. Background in international production. Led development of resources like the Green Animation Guide. Adrien Roche (Ecoprod) AI and International Projects Manager at Ecoprod (France). Manages StepUP training programme in partnership with Eurimages, as well as international projects focused on animation and AI, including guides and resources for the sector's environmental transition. 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.

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by Aneta Ozorek, Anastasiya Verlinska

How can we make festivals truly festive—for everyone? Join us for an essential CEE Animation Experience webinar dedicated to Keep Festive, a new international initiative committed to creating safer, more inclusive environments at animation industry events. Guest speakers will present core values, practical tools, and real-world protocols developed to prevent sexual harassment and unsafe situations, from establishing a Code of Conduct to training staff and managing sensitive cases. Aneta Ozorek (Kaboom Animation Festival) Artistic Director of the Kaboom Animation Festival (Netherlands), film curator and education expert. Extensive industry experience in organization of film events, educational workshops, exhibitions and festivals. Board member of REX Animation Festival (Sweden) and Short Film Conference. Member of European Children Film Association. Illustrated six books for children. Anastasiya Verlinska (LINOLEUM Festival) Director of LINOLEUM Contemporary Animation and Media Art Festival (Ukraine) since 2016. Previously project manager at FILM.UA Group. Organizes screenings of Ukrainian and international animation as well as educational projects for the local animation industry. 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.

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by Daniel Beňovič

This workshop covers the rigging process of mechanical prop in Autodesk Maya, from start to finish, showing how AI can handle repetitive tasks. Daniel Beňovič demonstrates rigging a compound bow and crossbow for 'Way of the Hunter', using Python scripting, AI-assisted research, and procedural layered rigging techniques. Daniel Beňovič (Nine Rocks Games) 3D Animator & Technical Artist based in Slovakia, with background in motion graphics and animation, having created ads for major brands and television. Specializes in mechanical rigging in Maya for games. 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.

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by Lucija Smodiš, Petra Gajžler

This webinar examines how animated films can be curated for young audiences through pedagogical exhibition, school-oriented distribution, and structured educational activities. They explore how guided tours, moderated screenings, contextual discussions, and creative workshops can enrich learning and deepen children's engagement with animation. Lucija Smodiš (StopTrik IFF) Curator and producer in contemporary art and animation. Initiator, programme collaborator and producer of StopTrik International Film Festival (Maribor/Lodz). Program director of GuestRoomMaribor residency (2014–2024). At DSAF establishing international artist-in-residency programme for animators. Petra Gajžler Film pedagogue, curator and distribution manager. Coordinates school screenings and develops educational materials for animated films. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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by Martin Smatana

In this webinar, award-winning stop-motion director Martin Smatana (The Kite, Berlinale 2019) will take you on a deep dive into the creative applications of artificial intelligence in animation. He'll showcase tools such as Dall-E and Runway, offering practical insights into how these technologies can aid in generating ideas, optimizing workflows, and enhancing the creative process while maintaining artistic integrity. Martin Smatana Graduate of Animation at FAMU Prague (1991, Slovakia). His debut movie "Rosso Papavero" (2015) premiered at Berlinale 2015 and won 15 international awards. Known for textile and paper animation techniques. His short "The Kite" premiered at Berlinale 2019. Pioneering AI integration in animation workflows. 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.

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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.

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