🎬 Another Outstanding Fest Anča!

The curtain has fallen on the 19th edition of the Fest Anča International Animation Festival, and what a fantastic week it has been.

Once again, Žilina became a meeting place for filmmakers, artists and animation enthusiasts from around the world, celebrating creativity, innovation and the power of storytelling through animation. This year’s theme, FAKE, proved especially relevant, encouraging audiences to question perception, reality and illusion—topics that resonated strongly throughout the festival and among many of this year’s award-winning films.

Congratulations to all the winners, especially Jocelyn Charles, whose God Is Shy received the festival’s highest honour, the Anča Award for Best Animated Short, and to Mária Kralovič, whose Tourists was named Best Slovak Film. As Oscar®-qualifying winners, both films now take an exciting step towards international recognition.

This year’s festival also demonstrated why Fest Anča continues to grow in both reputation and international reach. A record 1,823 films from 86 countries were submitted, with 233 selected for the official programme. Alongside the competitions, visitors enjoyed the fifth Student Forum, inspiring masterclasses, the introduction of a new VR section, expanded inclusive screenings and countless opportunities for discussion, collaboration and cultural exchange.

Having had the privilege of supporting Fest Anča through English-language editing and proofreading since its very beginnings, it is immensely rewarding to see how the festival has evolved into one of Central Europe’s leading animation events. Helping present the festival to filmmakers, guests, partners, media and audiences from across the globe has been a genuine pleasure, and I am proud to have played a small part in its international success over the years.

Congratulations to the entire Fest Anča team on another exceptional edition. Thank you once again for your continued trust and cooperation. With next year marking the festival’s 20th anniversary, I’m already looking forward to seeing what promises to be another unforgettable celebration of animation.

See you in Žilina in 2027! 🎥✨

🔗 https://www.festanca.sk/en/