annecy MIFA 2025: CEE Animation to highlight regional talent and projects

CEE Animation is set to make a strong impact at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and its accompanying MIFA market, held June 10–13. Representing one of the most dynamic regions in global animation, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) network will bring over 30 film professionals to Annecy as part of its official delegation. This group includes producers, directors, and representatives from national film bodies and institutions, underscoring the region’s growing relevance in the international co-production landscape.

Among the highlights of CEE Animation’s program are the International Co-Production Breakfasts on June 11 and 12, designed to foster connections between CEE talent and potential collaborators from across Europe. These events offer a structured networking format, allowing participants to discover new projects in development and connect directly with emerging creative voices from the region.

The CEE Animation Pitches, scheduled for June 11 at the Impérial Palace, will spotlight seven new animated projects in search of co-producers, distributors, and sales partners. These works span a variety of formats, from short films to feature-length productions and series, aimed at both children and adults.

CEE Animation’s presence at Annecy extends into the festival’s official programming as well. More than 30 films from Central and Eastern Europe will be showcased across ten categories, a sign of the region’s growing creative and artistic strength. Notable among these are “9 Million Colours” by Bára Anna Stejskalová—screening as part of the Festival Opening programme—and “Tales From the Magic Garden,” the only CEE-produced feature film in the Official Selection. Both titles originated as pitches at the CEE Animation Forum, highlighting the Forum’s growing role as an incubator for internationally recognized projects.

This year’s festival also honors Hungarian animation as the 2025 country of focus, adding further visibility to the region’s contributions to the art form.

The initiative is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, the Czech Audiovisual Fund, the Audiovisual Producers’ Association, and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. According to organizers, these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to advancing the visibility, production capacity, and international reach of CEE’s animation sector.