Anifilm 2026

Why we support the project

• Czech animation, admired around the world, is one of the finest examples of Czech talent

• Anifilm has a longstanding commitment to representing and promoting Czech talent internationally

• it is a unique platform for sharing animation expertise and experience across Central and Eastern Europe, providing an essential meeting place for building international partnerships

• the festival nurtures children’s interest and creativity through its rapidly expanding children’s programme

• the Czech Horizon Grant, supported by the PPF Foundation, funds the production of original, professionally made Czech animated short films

• our support also includes Game Pitch Arena Liberec, where innovative studios have the opportunity to secure funding to develop new games

About the project

The Anifilm festival of animated film has a rich history spanning more than twenty years. It explores and presents current trends, approaches, technologies and animation techniques. It supports both new animation projects and works in progress, along with their creators, producers and distributors. It provides a setting for constructive exchange and new connections between film professionals from around the world. The festival is for filmmakers, students, educators, film theorists and all animation enthusiasts, including children. It also has a longstanding commitment to representing and promoting the Czech Republic and Czech talent internationally.

For much of its history, the festival was based in the South Bohemian town of Třeboň. In 2020, Anifilm moved to Liberec, enabling it to grow further and establish new partnerships. Last year, it welcomed more than 36,000 visitors and around a thousand guests. The festival has been able to maintain its scale and the breadth of its programme thanks in part to the PPF Foundation’s support.

We have chosen to continue our partnership with Anifilm this year, once again helping the festival deliver a high-quality international programme featuring Czech and international film professionals, lectures, workshops and an international film competition.

The Foundation’s support enables selected guests, filmmakers and children to attend individual programmes free of charge. Other visitors pay only minimal fees and admission charges. The funding therefore supports both professionals and audience development, including helping children build their understanding of visual art and animation through activities such as animation workshops.

This year’s festival, whose main theme will be animated films inspired by myths and legends from around the world, will take place from 5 to 10 May. For the fourth time, it will announce the winner or winners of the open competition for the Czech Horizon Grant, supported by the PPF Foundation. The grant aims to enable outstanding Czech animation filmmakers to continue creating their own work after graduation. The creators of ten shortlisted film projects will present them in person to an expert jury at the festival. The grant totals CZK 1,000,000, which the jury may divide among several projects. It complements the existing PPF Foundation Award for Best Czech Short and Feature Film, one of the categories in the festival’s Czech Horizon section.

Game Pitch Arena Liberec will also return for its third edition. This game pitching event offers a unique opportunity to developers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as international participants. Those pitching aim to impress a panel of publishers and investors with their ideas and business plans, opening the way to further discussions about publishing and supporting their games. Studios also have the opportunity to receive financial support from us to help develop their projects.