The island of Syros is preparing to once again become a global hub for animation as the 18th ANIMASYROS International Animation Festival unfolds from 22-28 September. As Greece’s leading animation festival – and one of Europe’s most important showcases for the medium – ANIMASYROS enters its coming-of-age edition with an ambitious programme of competitions, tributes, industry initiatives and immersive experiences. This year’s theme, Animated Cosmos, underscores the festival’s expansive vision, linking space exploration with the limitless creativity of animation.

The festival will open with the Greek premiere of Olivia & the Clouds by Dominican-Spanish director Tomás Pichardo Espaillat, a poetic flick that employs the Rashomon effect to recount a tender story of love and memory. At the heart of ANIMASYROS are its seven competitive sections, which together reflect the vitality of global animation today. The International Competition features standout titles from around the world, including the multi-award-winning Dandelion’s Odyssey [+lire aussi :
critique
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interview : Momoko Seto
fiche film] by Momoko Seto, which was first screened in the Cannes Critics’ Week earlier this year. The Greek Competition once again highlights national talent, while the International Student Programme and Panorama offer a platform for both emerging voices and established creators experimenting with new forms. As in previous years, the Animapride and K.ID.S. sections return to spotlight LGBTQI+ narratives and family-friendly works, respectively.

A key highlight of the 2025 edition is the presence of Bill Plympton, the Oscar-nominated independent animator often hailed as the “King of Indie Animation”. Known for his instantly recognisable hand-drawn style and irreverent humour, Plympton has been a defining figure in US animation for over four decades. On Syros, he will not only present a curated retrospective of his work, but will also conduct a master class on the art of independent animation.

Beyond the screenings, the ANIMASYROS Agora has become a cornerstone for animation professionals in the Eastern Mediterranean. Returning for a second year under its strategic partnership with Annecy’s MIFA Campus, the Pitching Forum will welcome six creators from Greece, Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Lebanon and Tunisia for an intensive four-day coaching workshop. The participants will refine their projects with guidance from internationally renowned mentors, before advancing to pitch at Annecy in 2026. Additional Agora highlights include master classes with Pixar veteran Bill Kinder and with Armenian filmmaker Tigran Arakelyan, alongside round-tables on artificial intelligence, international financing opportunities and Creative Europe - MEDIA support schemes. The Agora will also host the Greek Animation Talks, speed-dating sessions with international producers and, for the first time, a specialised workshop for Greek animation producers led by Ivan Zuber, of Laïdak Films.

For the third consecutive year, the VR Lounge invites audiences to explore the intersection of animation and extended reality. Over three days, visitors will take part in interactive workshops that allow them to design their own universes with VR painting and animation tools, while screenings of award-winning immersive projects will showcase the artistic and technological frontiers of XR. Highlights include Oto’s Planet and ASTRA, alongside the Cinematic VR Corner presentation of The Journey of Piraeus, a virtual voyage through the history of Athens’ port. In collaboration with the University of the Aegean, participants will also experience a reconstructed historic ship via an interactive VR installation.

Complementing the main programme are two extensive tributes: the Croatian animation focus, curated by ANIMAFEST Zagreb’s Daniel Šuljić, which spans from the Zagreb School classics to contemporary works; and The Great Greek Masters, celebrating pioneering national animators through screenings and an exhibition.