Animafest Zagreb 2026 opens in Zagreb with 300 films and international guests

(Animafest Zagreb)

Animafest Zagreb 2026, one of the world’s leading animation festivals, officially opens this evening in the Croatian capital, bringing together hundreds of international guests and showcasing around 300 films over six days.

The 36th edition of the World Festival of Animated Film runs from 8 to 13 June and is expected to attract thousands of visitors to cinemas, galleries and cultural venues across Zagreb.

The official opening ceremony takes place at SC Cinema and will be attended by representatives of the City of Zagreb, Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, foreign embassies, the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) and other distinguished guests.

British animator Joanna Quinn will receive the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Award for Best Animation School will be presented to representatives of the RE programme, a collaboration involving institutions from Portugal, Belgium and Finland.

American animation journalist, critic and historian Amid Amidi will receive the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Animation Studies.

Festival activities are already underway. Open-air screenings have begun as part of the “Animafest in Your Neighbourhood” programme, while several exhibitions opened to the public on Monday morning.

SLON U KUĆI – Jenny Jokela

These include a retrospective of Joanna Quinn’s work, alongside Behind the Scenes 8 exhibitions showcasing artwork, production materials and creative processes behind films competing in the festival.

A new Animation x Gamedev Lab Zagreb initiative will also introduce a competition for Best Video Game Art Direction, featuring five games, including two Croatian productions.

The festival’s film programme begins with the first screening in the Grand Short Film Competition, featuring award-winning and world-premiere productions from filmmakers across Europe, North America and Asia.

Audiences will have the opportunity to attend post-screening discussions with directors and creators.

MOLIM TE – Anna Mantzaris

Throughout the week, Kinoteka Cinema will host children’s competitions, international showcases and feature film screenings. Highlights include a focus programme dedicated to Slovenian animation and screenings of works from emerging and established filmmakers from around the world.

Among the feature-length competition entries is the Chinese animated science-fiction film Light in the Cold Night by Xu Zao, which received strong critical acclaim following its screening at the Berlin International Film Festival.

SVJETLO U HLADNOJ NOĆI – Zao Xu

Additional screenings are taking place at the Novi Zagreb Cultural Centre, including a programme highlighting animated works by female directors from Central and Eastern Europe.

As one of only three leading animation festivals globally, Animafest Zagreb continues to strengthen Croatia’s reputation as an important destination for international animation, film and creative industries.