The fourth edition of the Student Forum will take place from June 24 to 26, 2025, as an integral part of the International Animation Festival Fest Anča, and as a part of AFN Edu activities under the Animation Festival Network. The Forum continues to serve as a vibrant platform for students, educators, and young animators to explore the many dimensions of animation education, fostering dialogue between theory, practice, and creative exploration.
Through engaging discussions, case studies, and school presentations, participants are invited to share experiences, exchange ideas, and actively contribute to shaping the future of animation education. Students also have the opportunity to connect with animation professionals, gaining valuable insights and building networks within the international animation community.
This year’s Forum will highlight two newly invited schools alongside a strong line-up of returning institutions. Each will present its unique approaches to teaching animation and showcase student works that span a wide range of styles, techniques, and perspectives – from traditional, hand-drawn animation to experimental forms and emerging technologies.
The Student Forum 2025 is a space for curiosity, collaboration, and inspiration – where new voices are heard, and lasting connections are made.
AFN Edu activities under the Animation Festival Network are supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme. The Student Forum Fest Anča 2025 is organised in cooperation with Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín.
The project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the Fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
This event is co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe MEDIA programme.
FOCUS SCHOOLS
The Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art (Czechia)
Sutnarka (The Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art) is a young art school based in Pilsen – the capital of beer. The Animation Studio operates at the intersection of fine and applied arts, rather than focusing solely on film technology. Students explore both traditional and digital techniques, while developing a strong, unique aesthetic.
We encourage creative versatility – graduates work not only in film, but also as art directors, game designers, animation technologists, or fine artists. Collaboration is key: students often team up with other studios such as ceramics or interactive design. MA students even join a secondary studio for two years to foster interdisciplinary work.
Sutnarka also has a wide range of workshops – from silkscreen and lithography to sound recording and stop motion – and access to a multimedia lab and broader campus facilities, including a robotics lab and anechoic chamber. Theory and history courses round out both the bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
Vojtěch Kočí
Vojta is a Prague-based independent animator and illustrator. From 2015 to 2023, he studied at the Animation and Film Studio at UMPRUM, focusing on hand-drawn animation, live-action puppetry, and mixing traditional techniques in a single moving image. His master’s thesis explored procedural animation and how traditional principles can be translated into code. His work centres on applied animation – music videos, visual identities, video mapping, and interactive uses of traditional techniques, along with a few very short films. Since 2022, he has been a studio assistant at Sutnarka and a lecturer of hand-drawn animation.
Matouš Valchář
During his studies at the animation studio in Pilsen and UMPRUM (2013–2019), Matouš focused on stop motion animation. He worked as a puppet animator or set designer on Czech animated features including Even Mice Belong to Heaven (2021), Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light (2023), Living Large (2024), and Tales of the Magic Garden (2025). Since 2023, he has taught stop motion animation at the Faculty of Art and Design in Pilsen. With the independent group Televize Estráda, he has created ten puppet plays, several short films with live-action puppets, and one feature film, Rally, which premiered at the Anifilm festival in Liberec in 2024.
Avans Professional Masters of Art, Avans University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands)
The one-year Master of Animation is designed to help students develop their creative potential and professional practice. The programme integrates studio-based work with theoretical principles, encouraging students to explore storytelling, refine their artistic vision, and conduct research relevant to their own animation practice.
Students gain experience in production planning, feasibility, and creative workflows, while learning to balance artistic freedom with working on commission. Core areas include Animation Principles, Acting & Performance, Modelling, Workflow, and Sound Design. Technical skills and storytelling abilities are tested through practical assignments and experimentation.
The programme is divided into five study periods. Each concludes with an assessment aligned with intended learning outcomes. Four learning tracks – Storytelling & Design, Producing, Positioning and Research, and Professional Practice – support students’ artistic and professional development throughout the year.
Maarten van Gageldonk
Maarten van Gageldonk graduated with honours from Radboud University, and earned his PhD in American literature in 2016. He is the co-editor of Animation and Memory, a scholarly volume published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2020. Maarten is currently Head of Programme at the Kaboom Animation Festival, an internationally-recognized annual event held in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and online. Alongside this role, he is also the pathway leader for the Master of Animation programme. His main areas of interest include the history of animation, narrative structures, and the curation of short animated films.
Sarah Lugthart
Sarah is a theory tutor in the Master of Animation programme at St. Joost School of Art & Design, and recently began a PhD in Digital Media at the University of Porto. Alongside her academic work, she is a committee member for Immerse\Interact (Dutch Film Fund and Creative Industries Fund NL). She graduated in New Media and Digital Culture from Utrecht University in 2004, and has worked as a programme manager at various cultural institutions, including the bkkc (now Kunstloc). Between 2010 and 2023, she taught in several bachelor programmes at St. Joost, focusing on media theory and immersive storytelling. Sarah currently lives in Antwerp.
ALUMNI SCHOOLS
Faculty of Multimedia Communications, Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín (Czechia)
The Animation Studio offers students the opportunity to cultivate their storytelling, creativity, and craftsmanship through hands-on experience. Students explore 2D, 3D, and stop motion techniques, character design, and storyboarding early on. They also learn teamwork and prepare for presentations of their own projects. Studio-based teaching focused on character animation runs throughout the program, encouraging artistic solutions at every stage of the creative process.
Emphasis has shifted from isolated projects to building a coherent skillset, where each workshop, team collaboration, and internship contributes to preparing students for real-world practice and the evolving challenges of the animation industry.
Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb (Croatia)
The Academy of Fine Arts consists of six departments, including the Department of Animated Film and New Media. Courses comprise lectures, workshops, seminars, and tutorials.
The Department of Animated Film and New Media is unique in encouraging the parallel mastering of classic animation techniques, new media techniques, and contemporary artistic practices.
Studies are designed as a series of courses and workshops, and include a historical overview of classic animated film, experimental film, and video, contemporary artistic practices, and cooperation with external experts and institutions. Students master the basics of recording, editing, and sound so that they can work independently as soon as possible.
Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague (Czechia)
Department of Graphic Design
The Animation and Film Studio offers students a platform for experimentation and pushing animation boundaries. The core principle is an individual approach to students. The aim is to support talent and develop creative skills, with an emphasis on original, independent thinking about society and on nurturing collective responsibility for our environment. According to the QS World University Rankings, UMPRUM is the only college from a post-communist country ranked among Europe’s most prestigious art schools.
The Department of Graphic Design (where the Animation and Film Studio is based) provides an open learning system. Its high-quality tutorial staff and technical facilities make the studios unique laboratories and meeting places where students can develop their creative skills.
Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) in Tallinn (Estonia)
The Estonian Academy of Arts aims to successfully educate the next generation of animated film creators through theoretical knowledge and practical skills. A further aim is to contribute to the global discourse and development of animation as an art form.
Animation’s scope means that students are encouraged to approach their film creations uniquely. The Academy encourages students to approach filmmaking through their own unique lens, emphasizing personal vision, individual philosophies, and creative processes. While technical courses and workshops provide the tools to realize their ideas, theoretical classes help them contextualize their work and define themselves as fully fledged artists in today’s world.
University of Nova Gorica School of Arts (Slovenia)
The University of Nova Gorica School of Arts focuses on the development of author personas. After a foundation year covering fundamentals in several fields, students choose their preferred career module, allowing them to specialise. Students use their chosen technique – from 2D digital or traditional technique on paper, stop motion, relief clay with replacement, painting on glass to puppet stop-motion films.
The programme retains strong interdisciplinary and intermedia features within practical studies, delivered by a rich palette of collaborators and visiting mentors. Besides a number of short and semester-long mobility options, students can be included in international projects and collaborations with the local community.
Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź (Poland)
The Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź emphasises practical work in its teaching programme. The school educates directors, directors of photography, animators, photographers, screenwriters, editors, film and television production managers, and actors. The school provides everything needed to explore ambitious ideas and develop young talents.
The Animation & Special Effects Faculty teaches students how to design and make animated films and special effects with digital and analogue cameras, as well as computer programmes. Skilful storytelling, bold themes, diverse animation techniques, experiments, and improvisation are features that distinguish the animated short films made by this faculty’s students.
National University of Theatre and Cinematography I.L. Caragiale (UNATC), Bucharest (Romania)
The Animation and Interactivity (AI) department at UNATC Bucharest, founded in 2019, pioneers artistic education in film and theatre through cinematic storytelling and new technologies, emphasizing teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The BA covers 2D/3D animation, AR, and VR, guiding students in world-building and short film production. The MA focuses on author-driven directing and emotional storytelling through five- to seven-minute short films.
The department collaborates with ANIMEST IAFF and offers residencies, workshops, and English programmes in Interactive Technologies and Game Design. With small cohorts and dedicated faculty, AI supports each student’s path in the cultural industries.
Lusófona University in Lisbon (Portugal)
Lusófona has three animation programmes in its Film and Media Arts Department. The BA in Digital Animation focuses on learning various techniques of animation cinema and their application in fictional, documentary, and experimental contexts through animation tests and films. The MA programme focuses on creativity and experimentation, mixing animation and other forms of artistic expression, both in short films and expanded animation projects.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree, Re:Anima, offered in partnership with the Luca School of Arts (Genk, Belgium) and IADT – Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland), explores fiction, documentary, and VR within the context of animation.
The Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) (Hungary)
The Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) promotes an alliance of science and arts. Its creative work is characterised by a synthesis of social demands, technological opportunities, economic assets, and environmental resources.
The MOME Anim animation community is one of Hungary’s most influential creative workshops and intellectual centres of animation. The department offers BA and MA animation programmes, short-term courses, and international training programmes. In partnership with domestic and international partners, it also brings various animation projects to life, such as the KISKAKAS (Little Rooster) Film Days, exhibitions, film premieres and screenings, conferences, and professional panels.
Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU) (Slovakia)
The Film and Television Faculty is the oldest and most prestigious film school in Slovakia. It educates especially gifted students, supports their artistic growth, and promotes high professional standards. The Animation Department is now being revitalised under new head doc. Ivana Laučíková.
The BA offers a strong foundation in directing, 2D/3D animation, stop motion, and experimental techniques. From the second year, students join one of five ateliers, each led by a distinct pedagogue with a unique storytelling approach. The MA deepens personal vision through a diploma film, written thesis, and focused courses. The department nurtures individuality, encouraging students to grow as animators, directors, and versatile visual storytellers.
Programme
Note: These sections of the programme are also open to accredited public.
Tuesday
11:30 – 12:30
School Presentation SUTNARKA
Studio of Animation and Interactive Art at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czechia
How do schools approach the teaching of animation? What does their curriculum look like? What is a graduate’s profile? Representatives from the participating schools will address these and other questions in their presentations.
13:30 – 15:00
School Screening & Discussion SUTNARKA
Presentation of students’ works.
16:00 – 17:00
RE:ANIMA – A Joint Master’s Journey in Animation
with Lea Vidakovic & Lara Fuke
Explore RE:ANIMA, a European Joint Master’s program that offers a unique, collaborative approach to animation education across Europe.
Wednesday
10:30 – 11:30
School Presentation AVANS
Professional Masters of Arts at the Avans University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands
How do schools approach the teaching of animation? What does their curriculum look like? What is a graduate’s profile? Representatives from the participating schools will address these and other questions in their presentations.
11:30 – 13:00
School Screening & Discussion AVANS
Presentation of students’ works
14:00 – 15:30
Scoring the Story: Music in Animation and Beyond
with Sune „Køter“ Kølster
How does music shape emotion, rhythm, and storytelling in animation? Composer and film scoring master Sune Kølster guides us through the art of film music – how to think about it, talk about it, and collaborate effectively with composers. This session offers valuable insights for all animators about finding the right musical partner and getting the most out of that creative relationship.
15:30 – 16:30
The Animated Worlds of Ala Nunu
with Ala Nunu
A graduate whose creative journey has taken her from classroom critiques to international acclaim. This year’s success story is Ala Nunu, a Polish animator whose distinctive voice and bold visual storytelling have resonated with audiences around the world. Join us for an inspiring case study exploring Ala’s path from film school to major festivals.
17:00 – 18:30
Reus: A Case Study of a Professionally Produced Student Film
with Noemi Valentíny, producer & Paulína Pokryvková, production manager from Pirogy Studios
Let’s dive into the details of this action-adventure between Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín and Pirogy Studios. How did the collaboration go? What were the perks and downsides of producing the student film professionally? If we could go back in time, would we do it again?
21:00
Fest Anča Warm-up & Networking Party
Kick off the festival in good company! Join students, teachers, and animation professionals for a relaxed evening of music, conversation, and connection – everyone’s welcome!
Thursday
9:30 – 10:30
Behind the Scenes of Polish Animation: The Role of the Polish Animation Producers Association (SPPA) in the Field of Education and Promotion
with Anna Głowik
Anna Głowik, head of Studio Letko – a 2D animation studio known for international co-productions – and board member of the Polish Animation Producers Association (SPPA), offers an inside look at how SPPA supports animation through educational initiatives, international promotion, and advocacy for the Polish animation industry. A valuable session for understanding how national networks can empower creative work.
10:30 – 11:30
Paving My Way as a Creative Producer: From Idea to Oscar Shortlist
with Aurelia Aasa
Producer and film journalist Aurelia Aasa shares her journey through the world of independent animation – from early concepts to international recognition, including an Oscar-shortlisted project. She’ll also introduce AAA Creative, the Tallinn-based studio she founded, and reflect on the evolving role of the creative producer in animation today.
12:00 – 13:00
Project Soho: Bridging School and Studio
with Maarten van Gageldonk
Maarten van Gageldonk, Pathway Leader of the Master Animation program at Avans University of Applied Sciences, presents Project Soho: an eight-week professional studio simulation that connects students with real-world clients. The project focuses on developing both technical (hard) skills and essential soft skills, preparing students for the realities of the animation industry.
About the Animation Festival Network
The Animation Festival Network (AFN) connects five leading animation festivals from the CEE region, all dedicated exclusively to auteur animated films for both young and adult audiences.
Formally founded in 2020, AFN is an organic extension of partners´ previous collaborations and a formal framework to achieve shared goals: promoting auteur animation, improving audience outreach, and strengthening capacities by exchanging good practices/experiences.
AFN Edu, an education initiative with the addition of Student Forum, aims to reach and develop young filmmakers by introducing them to the animation industry, experts, and future collaborators through lectures, workshops, and festival networking opportunities.
Animafest Zagreb (Croatia)
Anifilm International Festival of Animated Films (Czechia)
Fest Anča International Animation Festival (Slovakia)
Animest International Animation Film Festival (Romania)
Animateka International Animated Film Festival (Slovenia)
