The Slovak producer reflects on transitioning from television into animation and building projects through trust

Selected for European Film Promotion’s Cannes programme Producers on the Move this year is Slovakia’s Agata Novinski, based in Bratislava. After studying film production at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava and becoming active in the industry, she joined NOVINSKI | Film as a producer in 2018. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Executive Director of the Slovak Film and Television Academy and currently leads APAF, the Slovak Association of Animated Film Producers. Novinski’s work includes the animated feature film Living Large, which received a Jury Prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, among others.

Cineuropa: You began focusing on producing from the start of your studies. What first drew you to it?
Agata Novinski: I studied film production, but ironically I only really got into producing a few years later. When I graduated, the Slovak Audiovisual Fund did not yet exist and only around two or three films were being made each year in Slovakia. Thankfully, that has completely changed over time. Today, more than 30 films are produced annually and the Slovak audiovisual scene is far more alive and dynamic. I first worked in marketing and as a sales manager for commercial television channels, before later becoming an executive producer on TV projects. It taught me a great deal about communication, organisation and surviving production under pressure. I was fully drawn into cinema through Living Large by Kristina Dufková, and I am very grateful for that. With animation, I immediately felt that I had found something very close to me. I love its patience, precision and the incredible level of dedication it requires from everyone involved.

When do you typically like to come on board a project?
Ideally, as early as possible, already during development. That is when a producer can really influence the direction of a project, help shape it and bring together the right people. At the same time, I am quite careful about the projects I choose. Animation takes years, so I need to feel a strong connection to the story and trust in the director. Without trust, neither co-production nor the process as a whole can really work.

Is there a specific region or country you would like to co-produce with in the future, and why?
I really enjoy international collaborations and working with people from different creative and cultural backgrounds. I think the most interesting projects often emerge from unexpected connections and different ways of thinking. Although most of my experience so far has been in animation, I am also very open to live-action projects in the future. What matters to me most is a strong authorial voice, emotional honesty and meaningful collaboration. I am particularly interested in working with partners who are open, curious and creatively ambitious, regardless of where they come from. For me, trust and a shared sensibility are far more important than geography itself.

What kind of benefits do you hope Producers on the Move will bring?
For me, it is a huge honour to be part of such an exceptional group of producers. When I looked at the work of the other participants, I realised how many strong and diverse voices are coming together within the programme. I see Producers on the Move mainly as an opportunity to build meaningful connections and future collaborations. It is inspiring to meet producers who may be at a similar stage in their careers, but who come from very different backgrounds and systems. I am also really looking forward to seeing how others approach development, financing and presenting their films internationally. These kinds of conversations often become the beginning of long-term collaborations.

What are the next projects you are working on, and why did you choose them?
At the moment, I am working on a new animated feature film called Wish It!, directed by Kristina Dufková. It is the story of two children whose wishes unexpectedly begin coming true, leading them on a playful yet emotional journey through a small town. The film explores family, imagination and the power of the things we dare to say out loud. At the same time, I am developing several other projects at different stages. What connects them is a strong authorial voice and stories that feel deeply local while still having the potential to resonate with international audiences. When choosing a project, I am always looking for a strong story, a distinctive visual world and a director I trust.