[Zoom-in] Animated films for chilly days
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, what better way to warm up than with a good animated film? Far from being exclusively for children, animated films bring together imagination, creativity and storytelling in countless ways. From hand-drawn illustrations and stop-motion to experimental and digital animation, they open the door to worlds where anything is possible.
So, grab a warm drink, get comfortable and let us take you on a journey through six festivals celebrating the art of animation across Europe!
Anibar International Animation Festival
12 - 18 July 2026
Pejë, Kosovo
Our journey begins in Kosovo, where the Anibar International Animation Festival brings together filmmakers, artists and animation enthusiasts from around the world. Organised by young activists passionate about film, art and culture, the festival offers a programme of screenings, workshops, masterclasses, discussions and concerts. Its competitive categories range from international and Balkan animation to student films, human rights and animated music videos. They have outdoor and indoor screenings, as well as activities dedicated to young audiences.
Find out more about the festival here.
Photo credits via: Facebook.
REX Animation Festival
25 - 29 November 2026
Uppsala, Sweden
From Kosovo to Sweden, our next stop takes us to a festival entirely dedicated to animation. REX Animation Festival is Sweden's only film festival exclusively devoted to this art form. Founded in 2015, it aims to make international animation more accessible and raise awareness of its artistic value. Its programme presents carefully selected contemporary animated films from around the world, many of which are rarely shown in Swedish cinemas. Beyond screenings for both children and adults, visitors can take part in workshops, Q&A sessions, panel discussions and educational activities. REX also hosts Sweden's national student competition for animated film, offering a platform for the next generation of animation artists.
More information here.
Photo credits via: Facebook.
International Education Film Festival
1 - 4 December 2026
Évreux, France
Animation can entertain, but it can also educate, question and inspire. This is precisely what the International Education Film Festival explores through its diverse programme of fiction films, documentaries and animated works. Organised by Ceméa, the festival has been bringing audiences together since 2004, using cinema to address subjects such as childhood, education, cultural transmission and discrimination. Its programme is aimed at a broad audience, from parents and educators to young people and the wider public.
More information here.
Photo credits via: Facebook.
PAF Olomouc - Festival of Film Animation and Contemporary Art
3 - 6 December 2026
Olomouc, Czechia
Moving beyond traditional cinema screens, the PAF Olomouc Festival explores the relationship between animation, contemporary art and music. Founded in 2000, the festival looks at moving images from a wider artistic perspective, connecting animation with performance, game design, fashion and other creative disciplines. Its programme includes screenings, exhibitions, workshops and publications, inviting audiences to discover how animated images can interact with different forms of artistic expression.
More information here.
Photo credits via: Facebook.
Athens International Digital Film Festival (AIDFF)
3 - 9 December 2026
Gerakas, Greece
From experimental moving images to digital storytelling, the Athens International Digital Film Festival celebrates the many possibilities of contemporary audiovisual creation. Its programme brings together fiction, documentaries, experimental cinema, animation, video art, dance films and other hybrid forms. With an international outlook and a commitment to artistic freedom, the festival offers a platform for emerging filmmakers and artists whose work explores new forms of cinematic expression.
Find out more here.
Photo credits via: Facebook.
MONSTRA - Lisbon Animation Festival
11 - 21 March 2027
Lisbon, Portugal
To end our journey, we head to Lisbon for MONSTRA, one of Portugal's largest celebrations of animated cinema. Each year, the festival welcomes hundreds of European and international animation films, bringing together established filmmakers, emerging artists and audiences of all ages. Its programme extends far beyond screenings, with exhibitions, concerts, interactive installations, performances and masterclasses. It also places particular emphasis on younger audiences through MONSTRINHA, a programme that welcomes around 30,000 children every year. For its 2027 edition, MONSTRA will explore science fiction, drawing inspiration from milestones such as Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon, Fritz Lang's Metropolis and the Star Wars saga. Greece and Cyprus will also be its guest countries, highlighting the creativity and diversity of their animation industries.
More information here.
Photo credits via: Facebook.
Related festivals
- 17th edition of Anibar International Animation Festival
- REX Animation Festival 2027
- International Education Film Festival / Festival international du film d'éducation - 22th
- PAF Olomouc – Festival of Film Animation and Contemporary Art 2026
- 15th Athens International Digital Film Festival (AIDFF)
- MONSTRA | 26th Lisbon Animation Festival
