Animafest Cyprus Views of the World, in collaboration with the Primanima World Festival of First Animations, has launched an open call for participation in the fourth edition of its development programme for students and young creators, Contemporary Animation Horizons.
The programme forms part of the festivals’ broader educational and international collaboration initiatives, offering emerging artists an opportunity to develop their practice through training, networking and collective creation.
About the Festivals
Animafest Cyprus Views of the World is the first animation-focused festival in Cyprus and has been running for 25 years. It aims to introduce the public to animation cinema while supporting the growth of the sector locally. The festival takes place in rural communities, creating a meeting point for artists and audiences from Cyprus and abroad and promoting cultural decentralisation by bringing art to remote areas.
Primanima World Festival of First Animations is an international festival held annually in Budaörs, Hungary. Founded in 2012, it provides a platform for young animation talents to present their first works, build professional connections and join international networks. Its activities extend beyond the festival through initiatives such as Animation Funzone, the Budaörs Animation Base and Creative Space, and Primanima Print House.
Educational and Development Programme
The Contemporary Animation Horizons initiative brings together year-round educational and development actions, combining workshops, residencies and training opportunities. These programmes support artists at early stages, ranging from school students to university-level creators, effectively functioning as both a learning environment and a production workshop.
Through international collaborations, the programme promotes experimentation, networking and the development of animation practices.
The International Animation Film Camp
The International Animation Film Camp was introduced in 2023 as part of this framework, in collaboration with Primanima. Each year, young artists from Cyprus and abroad participate in workshops held in Cyprus and Hungary.
Participants begin their training at Animafest Cyprus in Salamiou and continue at the Babter international animation centre in Budapest during the Primanima Festival. Alongside training, they engage with international guests, local artist communities and fellow participants.
Previous editions of the Film Camp explored techniques such as collage animation, scratch film and mixed stop motion. These approaches have historically supported experimental and socially engaged animation practices, incorporating photography, live-action footage, literature and sound experimentation.
The results of each Film Camp are presented at the Primanima Festival in Budapest.
This Year’s Theme: Documentary Animation
The 2026 Film Camp will focus on documentary animation and the creative use of rotoscope techniques, under the guidance of Cypriot animator Ana Mouyis.
Participants will explore how animation can document, interpret and transform lived experience, memory and history. The programme emphasises the use of hand-drawn and painted rotoscope processes, allowing artists to work directly with recorded footage while developing a distinct visual language.
The approach combines observation and imagination, preserving movement and gesture from real-life material while introducing artistic interpretation.
Eligibility and Participation
Applicants may come from various artistic fields, with the programme encouraging interdisciplinary participation and creative collaboration.
Participants must be available to attend all workshop sessions.
Number of participants:
Five individuals will be selected from Cyprus.
Programme Dates
- July 21 to 25 in Nicosia
- August 4 to 6 in Koilani
- October 14 to 17 in Budapest
What the Programme Covers
Selected participants will receive:
- Accommodation in Cyprus and Hungary
- Two meals per day during the programme
- A €200 contribution toward a return flight from Larnaca to Budapest
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via the following form:
https://forms.gle/QsQXkgnhQbDHYR6i9
Important Dates
- Submission deadline: June 29, 2026
- Announcement of results: July 6, 2026
Contact and Information
For further information, applicants may contact:
info@animafest.com.cy
Additional information on previous editions of the Film Camp and the two festivals is available here.
Support
The International Animation Film Camp is supported by the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Department of Contemporary Culture, KYPRIA.
