International Animation Day

International Animation Day

Saturday, 24 October 2026 at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation

International Animation Day is celebrated annually, commemorating the first public screening of animated images by Émile Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique in Paris in 1892. Established in 2002 by ASIFA International, it is now held simultaneously in more than 50 countries through screenings, workshops, and events dedicated to the art of animation.

As part of the International Animation Day 2026 celebrations, ASIFA Hellas presents a special evening on Saturday, 24 October, at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation. The evening’s programme is divided into three parts.

19:00 — Arrival

1. Screening of award-winning Greek films

19:15–20:00 | 45 minutes

Films honoured at the ASIFA Greek Animation Awards 2026:

The Water of The Sun
Director: Valasia Dontoulou – Production: Greek National Opera
Original Music Award: Apostolis Koutsogiannis
Sins
Director: Tony Zagoraios – Production: YETI Pictures
Sound Design Award: Antonis Georgou, Stratos Diamantis
TIFF 66
Directors: Stefanos Rokos, Fokion Xenos – Production: Stefanos Rokos & Out. There Collective
Best Commissioned Film & TV Series Award
How Smart Are Crows?
Director: Irida Zhonga – Production: TED-Ed / Gerta Xhelo
Special Mention for Character Design: Kostas Firinidis
Prikosymphono
Directors: Elena Gazi, Dolan Bailey, Alejandra Diaz, Leonardo Dal Fabbro
Production: BAU College of Arts & Design
Best Student Film Award: Elena Gazi
Dream
Director – Producer: Semiramis Mamata
Screenplay Award and Special Mention: Semiramis Mamata
The Synthetic Age
Director: Dimitris Armenakis – Producer: Alexis Anastasiadis Awards for Best Film “Stratos Stasinos”, Directing and Character Design: Dimitris Armenakis

20:00–20:15 — Break

2. Panel discussion: “Four Generations of Greek Animation in Conversation”

20:15–21:15 | 60 minutes

ASIFA Hellas brings together four generations of Greek animators for an exchange of experiences and perspectives: Angelos Chatziandreou, Panagiotis Rappas, Efi Pappa, and Elena Gazi. Four filmmakers from four different eras, united by one art form.

Angelos Chatziandreou: A pioneer of Greek animation and one of the first animators at the historic Aronis and Efthymiadis studio.During the 1970s, he taught the art of animation to emerging artists. He designed and directed animated commercials and later co-founded the production company Kino, directing live-action commercials and corporate films.
Panagiotis Rappas: Animator, director, screenwriter, and producer with extensive experience working at major Hollywood studios and on European 2D and 3D animated film productions. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and the European Film Academy. His latest animated feature film, The Gleaner (I Stachomazochtra), will be released in cinemas on 17 December 2026.
Effie Pappa: Director and animator specialising in stop-motion animation, based between Athens and London. Her film My Stuffed Granny has won over 20 international awards and was selected for the official competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. She also directs commercials and music videos, including Little Elephant, which has attracted millions of views.

Elena Gazi: Visual artist and director with a degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Stop-Motion Animation. Her film Prikosymfono (Marriage Contract) received the Best Student Film Award at the Greek Animation Awards 2026.
Moderator — Giannis Christoforou: Director and producer working across animation, documentary and commercial production. His stop-motion film Underground (2024) has received numerous national and international awards and was selected for the official competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. He also directs animated documentaries and music videos, collaborating with artists such as Corey Taylor. His music video for “Culture Head” received acclaim from a wide range of music publications. In 2018, he founded Decoy Images, a production company specialising in audiovisual content for the Greek and international markets.

21:15–21:30 — Break

3. Screening of international animated films

21:30–22:40 | 70 minutes

A selection of animated short films from ASIFA International’s Film Exchange Programme, featuring works from the international animation community that travel across countries each year as part of the International Animation Day celebrations. The programme offers audiences a vibrant panorama of contemporary animation from around the world, showcasing diverse techniques, artistic styles, and storytelling traditions.

Paper Parts
Director: Thomas Range
Germany
OBBY
Director: Akuang Liu
Taiwan
Home Mouse
Director: Chia Hui Lei
Estonia
Laguna Plena
Directors: Carlon Hardt, Rimon Guimarães
Brazil
Still February
Director: Anya Ryzhkova
Germany
Waiting for the Barbarians