Le Danube – Photo : davidionut (Adobe Stock)
Hungarian animation
From 8th to 14th June, the Annecy Festival is putting a spotlight on Hungarian animation, an often-overlooked rich and inventive cinematic patrimony. Hungary stands out as an authentic source of artistic and creative expression from Pannónia Studio's legacy to today's contemporary creations.
From Budapest to Annecy: An Animation Legacy
From the banks of the River Danube to darkened cinema theatres around the world, Hungarian animation has travelled a unique journey. It reflects pivotal moments in the country's history and its artists' dreams with illustrations as powerful as the ideas they convey.
Reminiscent of the Rubik's Cube, the world-renowned Hungarian invention, Hungarian animation sparks curiosity and admiration, unveiling its richness as you explore its various facets. Each movement reveals a new era, unique style and daring vision. This year, Annecy turns the coloured sides of this creative cube to showcase all its sides.
Les thermes hongrois – Photo : JONATHAN / Le Danube – Photo : INTERPIXELS / Goulash – Photo : vuang
(Photos Adobe Stock)
To set off on this cultural journey, let's head to Hungary's traditional thermal baths, which are an integrated part of the country's authentic architectural patrimony and witness to Hungarians profound attachment to their traditions. Then cruise slowly between their visual styles and traits as you would along the River Danube, which was once the divide between Buda and Pest. Lastly, to round off this animated excursion and to plunge for one last time into Hungarian culture, take a seat and enjoy a gastronomic journey featuring aromatic culinary delights such as goulash, lángos and rétes, to give you a full overview of what awaits you at Annecy 2025.
Hungarian animation has a highly distinctive graphic style and this year it's coming to Annecy from 8th to 14th June!
An exquisite ode to Hungarian animation and to Annecy by Raman Djafari
Hungarian animation is gracing the streets of Annecy for this 2025 Festival edition, starting with the poster. Raman Djafari evokes Hungarian culture and its animation with subtle and discreet touches.
The poster was designed to express aspects of Hungarian culture. Raman Djafari was inspired by traditional Hungarian motifs, such as the floral motifs of Kalocsa embroidery, and the colours of the flag: red, white and green.
Discover more about the Annecy Festival 2025 poster, its conception and artist to get ready for this upcoming edition!
Hungary at the Festival…
The spotlight on Hungarian animation will be the opportunity for festivalgoers to discover all the depth of this production through 9 programmes curated by Anna Ida Orosz, animation specialist at the Hungarian National Film Institute's Film Archive.
Discover 4 feature films:
- Bubble Bath by György Kovásznai, 1980
- Son of the White Mare by Marcell Jankovics, 1981
- Heroic Times by József Gémes, 1982 – the first feature film to win a Cristal in 1985
- The District! by Áron Gauder – Cristal for a Feature Film at Annecy in 2005
And also:
- a free open-air screening on Le Pâquier: Four Souls of Coyote by Áron Gauder
- a Hungarian music videos programme in the "The Video Clip Geniuses" category
- a Midnight Specialand a Making of devoted to Ruben Brandt, Collector by Milorad Krstić
- the Fairyheart WIP by Anita Doron
- several free exhibitions set up around the city for all to enjoy
At the Mifa…
The Mifa will host a Hungarian pavilion in the new area located on the 1st floor of the Exhibition Area, where there is a new space especially for Mifa's companies and delegations.
There will be a host of events dedicated to Hungarian animation throughout the week, to showcase their talent and content:
- A Hungarian Pitch session in which 5 projects will be presented: "Spicing Up Animation! Hot Pitches of Hungarian Talents"
- An Industry Panel: "Production Power, Global Vision: Futureproofing Hungarian Animation"
- Director Áron Gauder, Jury Award at Annecy in 2023 for Four Souls of Coyote, will be Patron of Le Campus Mifa, this area that is entirely devoted to future animation professionals. For this occasion, he will be giving a Masterclass for all the students coming to Annecy from around the world.
- A Talent Panel: "Prestige vs Paycheck: Educating Animation's Next Generation"
Áron Gauder / Campus Mifa (Photo : ANNECY FESTIVAL/E. Nguyen)
And also in the juries!
The Festival will welcome 3 Hungarian jurors for this edition:
- György Ráduly in the Official Feature Films category
- Nadja Andrasev in the Contrechamp Feature Films category
- Réka Bucsi in the Graduation Films and Off-Limits Short Films category
György Ráduly / Nadja Andrasev / Réka Bucsi – Photos : DR
The jury for the Perspectives category this year will be composed of three young Hungarian professionals who will award the City of Annecy Award:
- Máté Józsa
- Emma Nyári
- Máté Horesnyi
Check out all the events paying tribute to Hungarian animation on the Festival and Market programme.