19/06/2025 - The artistic director takes stock of the animation-focused gathering’s latest edition and shares her future goals

(© ABIFF Animation Bucharest International Festival)

Mirona Radu has been the artistic director of ABIFF Animation Bucharest International Festival since its inaugural edition in 2021. Under her guidance, the festival has grown into a nationwide celebration of animation, expanding its reach across Romania and boosting the visibility of Romanian and European creators. The fifth edition of the festival (30 May-1 June) was produced by Mockra Productions and co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund in Romania.

Cineuropa: What were the highlights of this year’s edition?
Mirona Radu: This year was truly special for us – it marked the fifth anniversary of ABIFF, and we wanted to make it unforgettable. The festival expanded to more cities across Romania than in previous years, which felt like a huge step forward in bringing animation closer to audiences nationwide. Seeing children, families and animation lovers in so many places engaging with our screenings, workshops and discussions was incredibly rewarding. Some of my personal highlights included the Romanian premieres of Deep Sea, Maya, Give Me a Title [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michel Gondry
film profile] and Living Large [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kristina Dufková
film profile]. These three films showcased a stunning mix of visuals and heartfelt storytelling.

Another standout was our Focus Poland section, featuring bold and experimental works from students at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Watching these pieces reminded me of animation’s limitless potential. But the top moment for me was our online pitching session designed for Romanian producers and artists – it was the first time we’d organised this. The international jury (composed of Estonian producer Kristel Tõldsepp, French curator Clémence Bragard and Italian film critic Davide Abbatescianni) was incredibly generous with their feedback. The session’s energy felt like a true meeting of minds. Paula Benu’s Prayer for Ana scooped the Best Pitch Award, and I couldn’t agree more with the jury’s choice. ABIFF has always been about building bridges – between creators, audiences and cultures – and this year, I think we truly achieved that. ABIFF is not only about screenings, but also about education and community-building.

How do you see the role of these initiatives in shaping the future of animation in Romania?
Education and community engagement have been at the heart of ABIFF from the very beginning, and they are areas I’m deeply passionate about. Animation is a powerful medium, but for it to thrive in Romania, we need to nurture both creators and audiences who understand and appreciate its potential. We organised workshops, master classes and interactive sessions reaching students, parents and teachers in five cities. These moments were meaningful, especially seeing kids and adults discover the magic of animation, often for the first time in a movie theatre. Our online master classes on pitching and screenwriting specifically for animation gave young professionals opportunities to deepen their craft.

From the feedback, it’s clear these initiatives resonate. But I have to be honest: while we fully engage participants, filling theatres consistently remains a challenge. Building an audience for animation is a long-term process, but we’re determined to find creative strategies to bring people in. I believe fostering a love for animation through education and community involvement will eventually lead to a stronger audience and a brighter future for Romanian animation.

Can you share more about the curated themes and selection process for this year’s competition?
The selection process was rewarding yet challenging. With over 160 submissions, narrowing it down to 30 films required a keen eye for originality, artistic quality and resonance with contemporary audiences. We organised the competition into two sections: one for children, emphasising engaging storytelling and accessibility, and another for auteur-driven works exploring more nuanced themes.

I don’t select films based on predefined themes. Instead, I’m fascinated by how the works naturally complement each other. Each film brings its own unique voice, but together, they create a conversation greater than the sum of its parts. This year, themes like identity, family relationships, societal challenges and humanity’s connection to nature emerged strongly. For example, George ve Ganaeaard and Horia Cucută’s Mannequin received an Honorary Special Mention for its touching exploration of a father-son relationship, and Chelo Loureiro’s Go My Way won Best Children’s Film for its whimsical, uplifting message of authenticity and acceptance. The Trophy for Best Author-Driven Film went to Vicente Mallols’ Carmela, a poetic, emotionally resonant film inspired by a true story.

What challenges and opportunities do you foresee for ABIFF?
One major challenge is making animation accessible to underserved communities. Expanding to smaller towns brings logistical and financial hurdles, but bringing cinema to people who might not otherwise experience it is rewarding. Collaborating with schools is ongoing but difficult. We’re competing with TikTok and endless free online content. In many communities, the artistic value of film isn’t fully appreciated yet. To address this, we plan smaller ABIFF activities year-round, rather than just during the festival. This will help us build a more consistent presence and deepen community connections.

How does ABIFF aim to enhance the visibility of animation, both within Romania and internationally?
We focus on several strategies. Locally, education and audience development through workshops and dedicated children’s screenings cultivate future animation fans. Internationally, we build partnerships with festivals like the European Film Festival Palić, showcasing the best of ABIFF animations. For instance, five shorts will be presented in early July during a pre-event for children in Subotica – our third year of collaboration there. Our online pitching session also represents a significant step, providing Romanian professionals with a platform to present projects to industry experts and fostering co-production opportunities. We aim to develop this further at coming editions.

For me, ABIFF is more than a festival; it’s a space for connection, imagination and dialogue. Watching stories come alive and audiences engage reaffirms our mission. Animation has the power to unite, and I look forward to growing ABIFF as a home for Romanian animation on the global stage.