The V4 animation education sector, despite its rich tradition and distinctive authorial voices, faces significant challenges of isolation, both between schools and from the broader animation industry.
V4 Student Forum offers participating schools and students the opportunity to present themselves, their work, and ideas, promote emerging talents, establish new and exciting collaborations, meet industry professionals, and learn from one another. The three-day program includes numerous activities: presentations, networking, discussions and so on.
Participants of the V4 Student Forum will also have access to the parallel event Student Forum, which is focused on bringing together the schools, its representatives, and students from the broader European region. Students and teachers from V4 region will have an unique opportunity to not only get to know other schools and their approach to the animation but also to network, share knowledge and have an opportunity to meet with producers and distributors.
The 2025 V4 Student forum will take place at International Animation Festival Fest Anča on 24th to 27th of June 2025 in Žilina, Slovakia.
Faculty of Multimedia Communications, Tomas Bata University in Zlín will proudly welcome V4 partner schools: The Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Lodz, Poland; UMPRUM – Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague, Czechia; Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Hungary (MOME) and The Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, Slovakia (VŠMU).
The 2023 V4 Student forum Fest Anča is part of Fest Anča International Animation Festival (June 29 to July 2, 2023 in Žilina, Slovakia).
The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
Applicant
Faculty of Multimedia Communications, Tomas Bata University in Zlín
The history of the animation studio at the Faculty of Multimedia Communications in Zlín goes back more than two decades.
The first decade of the studio was characterised by an emphasis on the artistic side. It went hand in hand with the author’s intention to portray the theme, albeit in different genres, in a distinctive way with the courage to explore and experiment. This was in the DNA of Czech animation.
Over time, one of the most important and naturally most complex challenges has been to update the curriculum to be much more responsive to the needs of the animation industry. How not to dismiss the creative potential of students and yet guide them to the ability to be one small part of a big mechanism?
The intention now is not to create a student film that should compete for the audience’s interest at festivals. Each assignment, term project, and graduation project serve as one of many puzzle pieces in gaining experience, learning new skills, and stepping out of the comfort zone. And because there is always room for improvement, the plan for the next decade is clear: not to be afraid to look ahead, but still to remember that this is a university setting, and therefore craftsmanship must go hand in hand with intellectual challenges.
Host
FEST ANČA International Animation Festival
Fest Anča International Animation Film Festival is the only Slovak multimedia festival focused on animated film primarily for adult audiences. As the only festival of its kind in Slovakia, it annually presents the most important works and highlights from the world of animated film, raising awareness of this art form and educating about the various forms of animation. The festival is also the largest showcase of short films in Slovakia.
In 2023, Fest Anča International Animation Film Festival became the only Slovak Oscar® Qualifying Festival, which means that the winners of the awards in the main and Slovak categories can automatically apply for the next year’s Academy wards®.
In 2020, Ivana Palečková was awarded the Slovak Design Award for the visual identity for the 11th edition of Fest Anča 2018 with the theme Propaganda.
Since 2020, Fest Anča has been a founding member of AFN – Animation Festival Network, a unique network of animation film festivals in Europe.
Partners
VŠMU – Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia
The Film and Television Faculty is the oldest and most prestigious film school in Slovakia. It provides education to especially gifted students, further develops their talent and artistic abilities, and leads them to a deepening of their individual personal expression. The faculty emphasises the adoption of high professional standards across all fundamental film professions. It supports contemporary trends in cinematography, and welcomes all those who believe that superficiality can be avoided and feel the creative need for an artistic response to the world.
The Animation Department educates and trains dramaturgically-oriented artists, animators, and directors for all types and genres of animation – classic or computer-generated. Students gain practical and theoretical knowledge, and participate in a wide range of workshops, seminars, studio work, professional conferences, festivals, etc. This prepares the way towards their graduate authorial statement final work – an original animated film with a strong theme and message.
Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź
The Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź, one of the oldest film schools in the world, places special emphasis on practical work in its teaching programme. The school educates directors, directors of photography, animators, photographers, screenwriters, editors, film and television production managers, and actors. Future filmmakers are provided with the latest equipment, including digital cameras. The school also employs professional camera operators and sound recordists, with extensive knowledge and experience to help students make their first films. The school provides everything needed to explore every ambitious idea and develop young talent.
The Animation & Special Effects Faculty highlights teaching students how to design and make animated films and special effects with the use of various digital and analogue cameras, as well as computer programmes. Skilful storytelling, bold themes, diverse animation techniques, experiments, and improvisation are the features that distinguish the animated short films made by this faculty’s students.
Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest
The Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) promotes an alliance of science and arts. Its creative work continues to be characterised by a synthesis of social demands, technological opportunities, economic assets, and environmental resources. MOME is an open university that cooperates with non-governmental organisations and civil initiatives, as well as state representatives, local governments, and market participants. MOME is building a strong professional and civil community that strives to become a key player both in Hungary and in the wider international environment.
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, various exhibitions, film premieres and screenings, conferences, and professional panels.
UMPRUM – Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague, Czechia
Department of Graphic Design, Animation and Film Studio
The Animation and Film Studio offers students a platform for experimentation and pushing the boundaries of animation. The Academy’s fundamental principle is an individual approach to students. The aim is to support talent and develop creative skills, while emphasizing original independent thinking about society and nurturing collective responsibility for our environment. According to the QS World University Rankings, UMPRUM is the only college from a post-communist country that is 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.
Programme
Case Study: V4 Student Film Success Story
This case study examines how a supportive academic environment can foster the development of an award-winning student film in the V4 region, using an example that earned international acclaim. By highlighting the educational approaches, resources, and support systems that contributed to this success, the study offers insights into effective methods of teaching animation. It also explores strategies for promoting and distributing a student film so it can stand out in competitive festival circuits.
Student Pitching Forum
The Student Pitching Forum is not only a showcase of raw talent but also a valuable learning experience, offering students real-world insight into the business side of animation. Students from all participating schools will have the chance to pitch their animation projects, which serve as their bachelor’s or master’s graduation films. A total of 8 student projects will be selected, with at least 4 coming from Visegrad countries.
V4 Focus School Presentation and Screening: Studio of Animation and Interactive Art at University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
Studio of Animation and Interactive Art at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, will present its unique to animation education. This presentation will highlight the studio’s curriculum, pedagogical methods, and the work produced by its students. Offering a creative space that bridges classical animation techniques with digital and interactive production, the studio provides students with a range of options, from traditional drawn and puppet animation to 3D motion capture and game design.
The presentation will provide an in-depth look into how the studio fosters creativity and specialization, allowing students to explore various techniques and visual styles while emphasizing strong screenwriting, visual aesthetics, and editing. Additionally, the collaboration with programmers from the Faculty of Applied Sciences in Pilsen and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics in Prague for game development will be featured, underscoring the interdisciplinary opportunities available.
The presentation will also showcase the studio’s collaborations with major institutions such as Czech Television and international partners, providing valuable insights into how academic and professional partnerships enhance the learning experience.
The following screening will showcase a selection of student films, highlighting the creativity, technical skill, and diverse approaches of the students.
Case Study: Ups and downs of professional producing student films in the Czech republic?
Led by producer Matěj Šak, the case study will explore the collaborative partnership between Pirogy Studios and the animation department at Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín, focusing on their experience co-producing student film „Reus“, which won Student Pitching at last years Student Forum.
Participants will learn how partnerships between animation schools and studios like Pirogy can lead to the creation of high-quality animated content. The session will offer practical insights into these collaborations, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that arise when academia and the professional animation world intersect.
Presentation and Discussion: International Opportunities for Students in V4 and Europe
The presentation will focus on the wide range of international opportunities available to students within the V4 region and across Europe. The session will emphasize how collaboration between schools, industry professionals, and international studios can enrich the educational experience for students, helping them gain valuable insights and practical skills.
Following the presentation, the discussion will bring together selected V4 schools to explore the theme of internationalization in animation education. This dialogue will focus on the opportunities and challenges that come with expanding cross-border collaborations, both within the V4 region and globally.
Labor of Love
„Labor of Love“ introduces an exciting addition to the Student Forum program, providing a platform to showcase passion projects that extend beyond the realm of animation. Up to 8 students, with at least 4 coming from Visegrad countries, will have a dedicated 7-minute slot to present their artistic passion project that connects back to their animation work. This format will present works from fields like VFX, game design, visual arts, analog forms, and other related art fields, demonstrating animation’s versatility. It encourages students to explore beyond their formal curriculum, fosteringcreativity and personal initiative, which are crucial in the animation industry. By allowing students to present their projects to peers and professionals, it creates a rich learningenvironment for knowledge exchange and feedback, enhancing the overall learning experience. Additionally, it offers students networking and collaboration opportunities, connectingthem with industry professionals and fellow students with similar interests, which can lead to future collaborations. „Labour of Love“ thus enriches the V4 Student Forum by encouraging personal creativity, facilitating peer learning, showcasing artistic diversity, and fostering community and connections within the animation industry.
Networking Party
Networking Party event offers an informal setting for participants – educators, students, industry professionals, and other attendees – to interact, fostering relationships beyond the structured environment of the educational activities. Participants from V4 schools can build on relationships from previous years in an informal atmosphere, and new participants can break the ice on the dance floor while dancing or chatting with alumni participants of the Forum. For students, in particular, it’s an opportunity to meet industry professionals in a less formal setting, which can be more conducive to open conversations and networking.
V4 Roundtable
This roundtable, facilitated by Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín, offers educators from V4 animation schools a unique opportunity for private, focused discussions away from the busy schedule of the forum and festival. The event is designed to provide a space for deeper dialogue on key challenges and opportunities in animation education, allowing participants to reflect on the outcomes of the Student Forum and how they can apply these insights to their own institutions.
