Animation Festivals Directory

The World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb is the second oldest festival in the world dedicated entirely to the art of animation. In the course of its more than forty years of history it has been systematically following world production through a number of programs: competitions, retrospectives, thematic and special programs, exhibitions, lectures, meetings with the filmmakers, academic symposiums, workshops for children and professionals, site-specific screenings etc. Built on the tradition of the Zagreb School of Animation, Zagreb is a festival oriented towards auteur film. It has a reputation for being one of the most significant and most loved events in the festival circuit.

Approved by ASIFA (International Animated Film Association) and founded by the City of Zagreb and the Zagreb Film production studio, the first World Festival of Animated Film was held in June 1972, managed by Želimir Matko. In his honour, the audience award – “Mr.M” – was named after him. Since the very beginnings, the festival has hosted many renowned makers of animation, and has been often considered as one of the four major animation festivals (along with Annecy, Ottawa and Hiroshima).

Until 2005 it was a biennial event, turning to annual ever since. Since 2015, Animafest Zagreb merged its feature and short editions and from now on accepts animated films of all lengths every year.

Traditional festival slogan is: Z… is for Zagreb!

Year established: 1972

Is this festival exclusively animation?: Yes - this is exclusively an animation festival

Is there a marketplace at this festival?: No