Hungarian animation has a long and rich history, forged by decades of creativity, passion and artistic daring. Last year, Hungarian animation celebrated its 110th anniversary, a symbolic occasion to pay tribute to all those who have shaped the art over the years. It was from these warm and inspiring exchanges that the idea of this vibrant tribute to Hungarian animation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival was born.
Since 2020, the National Film Institute Hungary has been responsible for the entire audiovisual sector, including the moving image, in all its dimensions: training professionals, developing projects in all formats, for all screens - TV and web series, shorts and features for theatrical distribution.
This regular support has enabled the emergence of a new generation of talent.
Annecy's tribute to Hungarian animation, watch the video here
Tribute to Hungarian animation, watch the video here
"Despite the political upheavals, the rich history of Hungarian animation has never wavered. Over the past twenty years, numerous student films have heralded the arrival of a new wave, while the recent successes of films by Flóra Anna Buda (27), Balázs Turai (Amok), Nadja Andrasev (Symbiosis) and Áron Gauder (Four Souls of Coyote) have confirmed this blossoming, and demonstrate the cultural dynamism and profound originality of this country's production. The major digitization and restoration work carried out by the Hungarian National Film Institute will enable Annecy 2025 to present the great classics of Hungarian animation in the best possible conditions."
Marcel Jean, artistic director of the Annecy Festival
HUNGARIAN TALENTS AT ANNECY THIS YEAR
FILMS IN THE OFFICIAL SELECTION
DOG EAR – Official competition directed by Péter Vácz
CAPRICCIO – Off-Limits competition directed by Gábor Ulrich
THE LAST DROP – Graduation films competition directed by Anna Tőkés
KIPPKOPP AND TIPPTOPP – Competition TV Films directed by Tama Mikori
THE QUEST – Special screening directed by Csaba Máli & Zsolt Pálfi
THE JURY
3 Hungarian jurors will be present in different categories:
- György Ráduly : Official Feature Films Jury
Director of the Film Archive of the Hungarian National Film Institute
- Nadja Andrasev : Feature Films Contrechamp Jury
Film director, including the multi award-winning The Noise of Licking et Symbiosis, independent production manager, executive producer.
- Réka Bucsi : Graduation Films & Short Films Off-Limits Jury
Director of films including the multi-award-winning Symphonie n°42, LOVE and Solar Walk.
- The jury in the Perspectives category will also be made up of three young Hungarian professionals, who will present the Prix de la Ville d’Annecy : Máté Józsa, Emma Nyári and Máté Horesnyi.
THE VISUAL OF THE TRIBUTE TO HUNGARIAN ANIMATION
The visual identity created by illustrator Levente Szabó brilliantly blends the world-renowned Annecy rabbit symbol with key elements of Hungarian visual culture, while embodying a fresh, contemporary approach.
"Levente Szabó has dressed the emblematic Annecy rabbit in the colors of Hungary. By honoring Hungarian animation, we are celebrating a rich cultural tradition that continues to evolve from generation to generation," said Marcel Jean, Artistic Director of the Annecy Festival.
"The festival team and I share a common ambition: to showcase the richness and innovation of Hungarian animation to international audiences and industry professionals alike. But this tribute is much more than just an ephemeral showcase. It aims to leave a lasting impression, encouraging projects and collaborations that will continue to bear fruit long after the festival is over. During the preparations that began in October 2024, teamwork played a key role. The program was drawn up with the active participation of numerous industry players. Together, we worked to create the richest possible content. A colorful selection, with 80 films, music videos and plenty of professional events - a fine overview of all that the Hungarian animation community has to offer," noted Csaba Káel, Commissioner for the Development of the Hungarian Film Industry.
The presence of Hungary at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival was initiated by the National Film Institute to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Hungarian animation.
THE PROGRAM
This focus on Hungarian animation will give festival-goers the opportunity to discover the richness of this production, through 10 programs selected by Anna Ida Orosz and Réka Bucsi, animation specialists at the Hungarian National Film Institute's film archives.
From commercials to festival films, shorts to features, heritage films to graduation films from the prestigious MOME University, a unique exhibition of street art and the whole history and diversity of Hungarian animation, not forgetting the very first DOME, which will be honoring the Annecy Festival, the whole history and multiplicity of Hungarian animation will be projected onto Annecy screens.
4 heritage feature films:
- Bubble Bath by György Kovásznai, 1980
- Son of the White Mare by Marcell Jankovics, 1981
- Heroic Times by József Gémes, 1982 – first feature film to win an award in 1985
- The District! by Áron Gauder, Cristal du long métrage in Annecy in 2005
Annecy HUNGARIAN DOME
This tribute will also be the occasion to offer festival-goers the very first DOME in Annecy: a portable geodesic dome installed on the Place François de Menthon, which will serve as an additional venue for the Hungarian tribute programs.
This unique screening venue will present a selection of contemporary and heritage films specially adapted for immersive dome projection, using state-of-the-art technology to deliver a unique experience.
These film programs will highlight the innovative spirit and artistic richness of Hungary's audiovisual and cinematographic culture. A selection of international films created specifically for this immersive format will also be on offer, encouraging intercultural dialogue and experimentation.
Exposition: HUNIMATION HITS THE STREETS
With the support of the National Film Institute Hungary, Hungarian animation creators are organizing a unique street exhibition, celebrating 110 years of animation with a playful twist. The public will be able to discover Hungarian animation outside the cinema: an installation and exhibition of street art entitled Hunimation Hits the Streets will populate the streets, hotels and restaurants of Annecy.
Conceived by Daniel Huszár, the exhibition will transform the city and park into a living scenario, where film characters will playfully emerge and interact with the surrounding architecture. From larger-than-life classics to quirky modern gems, the installations are brought to life by contemporary artists such as Réka Bucsi, Péter Vácz, Luca Tóth and Balázs Turai. You'll also see heroes from iconic films such as
Les Maîtres du temps, Cat City et appreciated series Les Contes populaires hongrois.
THE HUNGARIAN FESTIVAL SCENE ALSO INCLUDES:
- A free open-air screening on the Pâquier : Four Souls of Coyote by Áron Gauder
- A program of Hungarian music videos in the “Les As du clip” selection
- A Midnight Special and a Making of dedicated to Ruben Brandt, Collector by Milorad Krstić
- The Work In Progress of Fairyheart by Anita Doron
- Several exhibitions around the city, free to all
HUNGARY AT THE MIFA
The Mifa will be hosting a Hungarian pavilion in the new space on the second floor of the Exhibitors' Marquee, a new area dedicated to Mifa companies and delegations.
A large delegation will be on hand for all meetings.
Numerous events will be dedicated to Hungarian animation throughout the week, showcasing their talents and content:
- A Hungarian Pitch session, during which 5 projects will be presented: SPICING UP ANIMATION ! Hot pitches of Hungarian Talents ;
- An Industry Panel : Production power, Global vision : Futureproofing Hungarian Animation
- The director Áron Gauder, who received the Prix du jury in Annecy in 2023 for Four Souls of Coyote, will be the patron of Campus Mifa, a space entirely dedicated to future animation professionals. On this occasion, he will give a Masterclass for the students gathered in Annecy from all over the world.
LAUNCHING OF HUNIMATION.COM
This tribute is also an opportunity to salute the launch of the first English-language professional website dedicated to Hungarian animation. Created by the Friss Hús (Friss Hús Budapest Short Film Festival) team and supported by the National Film Institute Hungary, it presents 75 works from 24 Hungarian studios.
For more information, click here.
Csaba Kael, film commissioner; Ildiko Takacs, director of the Hungarian Tribute program; Reka Temple, producer and president of the Hungarian Association of Animation Producers; and Daniel Huszar, director of Animation and producer, are available to answer any questions the media may have about this tribute.
Find here another trailer featuring the best of Hungarian animation in 2025.
