Portugal’s Cinanima Leads FAN – Festivals Animation Network Across Europe and Beyond
CINANIMA, the renowned animation festival based in Espinho, Portugal, has been officially appointed as the Coordinator of the FAN – Festivals Animation Network. This prestigious role follows CINANIMA’s successful application to the MEDIA Europa Criativa program, which supports European film festivals through collaborative networks. By becoming the coordinator, CINANIMA will lead efforts to enhance European animation’s global visibility and impact.
The FAN network is designed to foster collaboration between its member festivals, enabling the exchange of best practices and promoting the dissemination of European animated films worldwide. With the motto "To watch to expand," FAN aims to expand and diversify audiences, emphasizing the promotion of young talent, the production of films in schools, and the development of new educational initiatives. This collaboration is built on core values of sustainability, inclusion, diversity, and non-discrimination, ensuring that every activity contributes to a more inclusive and environmentally conscious film industry.
As coordinator, CINANIMA will collaborate with four other key European festivals: Animafest Cyprus (Cyprus), Animasyros – International Animation Festival (Greece), IMAGINARIA – International Animated Film Festival (Italy), and Prime the Animation – New Talent International Festival (Spain). In addition to these core members, FAN also includes several associated festivals, both from within and outside Europe.
European associate festivals include BLON – Animation and Games Festival (Lithuania), ITFS – International Trickfilm Festival of Animated Film (Germany), KAFF – Kecskemét Animation Film Festival (Hungary), and VAF – Viborg International Animation Festival (Denmark). Beyond Europe, the network is strengthened by partnerships with the Melbourne International Animation Festival (Australia), Pixelatl Festival (Mexico), and the SIFFCY – Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (India).
Together, these festivals will organize workshops, symposia, and educational activities, all rooted in FAN’s commitment to sustainability and cooperative practices. By connecting festivals from diverse cultural backgrounds, the network aims to create a more dynamic and inclusive global animation landscape.
CINANIMA's new role as FAN coordinator represents a significant step forward for the promotion of European animation on the global stage. Through its leadership, FAN will champion the cause of independent and author-driven animation, while nurturing emerging talents and fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
List of Partner and Associated Festivals:
Coordinator Festival
- "CINANIMA" (Espinho, Portugal)
Partner Festivals
- "Animafest Cyprus" (Salamiou, Cyprus)
- "Animasyros – International Animation Festival" (Syros, Greece)
- "IMAGINARIA – International Animated Film Festival" (Conversano, Italy)
- "Prime the Animation – New Talent International Festival" (Valencia, Spain)
Associated Festivals – Europe
- "BLON – Animation and Games Festival" (Klaipėda, Lithuania)
- "ITFS – International Trickfilm Festival of Animated Film" (Stuttgart, Germany)
- "KAFF – Kecskemét Animation Film Festival" (Kecskemét, Hungary)
- "VAF – Viborg International Animation Festival" (Viborg, Denmark)
Associated Festivals – Outside Europe
- "Melbourne International Animation Festival" (Melbourne, Australia)
- "Pixelatl Festival" (Guadalajara, Mexico)
- "SIFFCY – Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth" (New Delhi, India)
Through CINANIMA’s leadership, FAN aims to amplify the influence of European animation, reinforcing its significance on a global scale.