12 promising animated projects continue to flourish at the 7th CEE Animation Workshop
by Olivia Popp
- The third module of the prestigious animation workshop happened in Łódź, Poland, over six intensive days taking in master classes, practical feedback sessions and lectures
Taking place from 28 July-3 August in Łódź, Poland, the third module of the 2025 CEE Animation Workshop saw producers and their creative teams from ten European countries – alongside industry experts and other guests – develop 12 animated projects over the workshop’s six intensive days. This marks the seventh edition of the CEE Animation Workshop, which this year consists of four modules: one in Nova Gorica/Gorizia this past March (see the news), the second module online in May, the third in Łódź and the final one in October 2025.
With a total of 26 attendees, including project participants and guests, the workshop was led by two experienced producers, Réka Temple (Hungary’s Cinemon Entertainment) and Annemie Degryse (Lumière Group, Belgium’s Beast Animation and France’s Les Productions de Milou), alongside two script consultants: Phil Parker (UK) and Rita Domonyi (Hungary).
Degryse and Temple shared their perspective on flexing collaborative and cooperative muscles across the full cohort of projects. “We’re all here to make things grow, and we all share a positive mindset,” said Degryse, while Temple added, “The biggest compliment for the participants is that we take things seriously – we’re having discussions on an equal level.”
This approach paid off: participants emphasised the workshop’s efficacy in speeding up the development process without sacrificing quality. “What you would normally achieve in three years, you can achieve here in one year,” explained Nawojka Wierzbowska, director and screenwriter of Until Death Unites Us, a Polish feature at the workshop.
Other participants shared that the Łódź module gave them opportunities to learn how to better navigate the legal environment, receive both production and artistic support, understand international perspectives and begin crafting marketing strategies. “This event awakens an international family feeling, and you learn where to seek help or assistance in the future,” said Anja Manou Hellem, scriptwriter of Scope of the Universe, a Norwegian TV series in development.
Lectures included a marketing workshop by guest experts Michael Arnon (Germany’s WOLF Consultants) and Boris Pugnet (France’s Space Odyssey) as well as a pitching session by producer Tonje Skar Reiersen, of Norway’s Mikrofilm. Degryse, Temple and other experienced producers including Jožko Rutar (Slovenia's Staragara and SPOK) and Juraj Krasnohorský (Slovakia’s Artichoke) gave feedback on the projects presented.
Zane Zusta (scriptwriter) and Kristele Pudane (producer), of Ucipuci, a Latvian TV series, spoke highly of the community, mentorship and professional network growth cultivated within the workshop setting. “You get to analyse other projects and learn from them,” explained Pudane. “You are going through a creative process collectively, while also considering the packaging, the financing, the market position, and how to distinguish from other content out there.” Zusta added that “it feels like [the mentors] will stay in [the participants’] professional lives for a long time”.
The workshop also included an open industry day that took place at the EC1 Łódź - City of Culture – a scientific and cultural exhibition centre – on 1 August. Highlights included a presentation of the Polish animation industry and a master class by award-winning animator Giovanna Ferrari. “Coming from the live-action part of the industry, it was remarkable to see how a safe space was created to exchange, comment and feel totally free,” remarked Danae Spathara, producer of Human Negligence, a Greek animated feature in development. “[It was] liberating.”
The CEE Animation Workshop in Łódź was organised by the Slovene Animated Film Association (DSAF), CEE Animation, the Slovak Association of Animated Film Producers (APAF) and the Polish Animation Producers’ Association (SPPA). The workshop is organised with the support of Creative Europe – MEDIA.
The 2025 CEE Animation Workshop is also supported by the Ministry of Public Administration, Republic of Slovenia, AIPA, GO!25, Nova Gorica/Gorizia European Capital of Culture 2025, the Slovenian Film Centre, the Polish Film Institute, the Łódź Film Commission, EC1 Łódź - City of Culture, Łódź Film School, the Czech Ministry of Culture, the Czech Audiovisual Fund and the Czech Audiovisual Producers’ Association.
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