42 ANIMATED PROJECTS HEADING TO CEE ANIMATION FORUM 2021

CEE Animation Forum revealed its selections, having received a record number of submissions with high representation of authors from Central and Eastern Europe. The line-up of 42 animated projects features Student Academy Award-winning or shortlisted filmmakers but also debut works.

Due to the present Covid-19 situation, the upcoming edition of the CEE Animation Forum will take place online in two stages: the traditional pitching competition, newly expanded to five categories, will be held on April 26-29, and the additional industry programme in collaboration with Anifilm International Festival of Animated Films on May 4-9.

For its ninth edition, the organizers received a record number of 116 submissions from 27 countries. From among these, a committee of international experts has made a final selection of projects to be pitched. The majority of the selected teams come from Central and Eastern Europe: six from Hungary; four from Slovakia; three from Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, and Slovenia; two from Cyprus, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and Spain; and one project from Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

“We received a record number of submissions this year, with balanced representation of Central and Eastern European countries and the most developed markets of Western Europe. Each year demonstrates that the quality of works originating from the region of Central and Eastern Europe is improving very rapidly, which is very motivating for us and for the industry. Compared to 2017, we have almost doubled the number of projects in competition, and from two categories we have increased to a total of five, including ‘Rising Stars,’ a student short films category we are introducing for the first time this year,”  said Matija Šturm, CEE Animation Forum & Workshop Managing Director.

Furthermore, this year has shown fairly equal representation for women. In a total of 42 projects, the percentage of female directors is 47% and producers 46%. Representation in Heads of Sections is 100% female: Zofia Jaroszuk (feature films), Reka Temple (series & TV specials), Aneta Ozorek (short films), Manu Weiss (XR projects), and Gyorgyi Falvai (Rising Stars).

To see the full list of projects selected, click here.