The International Festival of Animated Films (Anifilm) will return to Liberec from May 5 to 10, 2026, presenting a wide-ranging selection of contemporary animation from around the world. Organizers have now unveiled the films and projects selected for its international competitions, alongside this year’s central theme and key program highlights.
The festival, one of the leading animation events in Central Europe, will once again bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences to explore current trends in animated storytelling. Its 2026 edition places a thematic emphasis on myths and legends, reflecting a continued interest among creators in narratives that bridge the real and the supernatural.
In addition to its thematic focus, Anifilm will honor Czech animator Jan Klos with a lifetime achievement award, recognizing his longstanding contribution to puppet animation and his influence on generations of filmmakers.
International competition highlights global diversity
The international competition for feature-length films remains one of the festival’s core attractions, divided into categories for adult audiences and for children and young viewers. This year’s selection reflects a broad geographic and stylistic range.
In the adult category, Spanish director Alberto Vázquez returns with Decorado, while Canadian filmmakers Seth and Peter Scriver present Endless Cookie, an animated documentary blending humor and autobiography. The lineup also includes China’s A Story About Fire, inspired by regional folklore, and the Japanese sci-fi adaptation All You Need Is Kill, based on the Hiroshi Sakurazaka novel that also spawned the Tom Cruise thriller Edge of Tomorrow. Completing the selection is Jinsei by Ryuji Suzuki, a minimalist and surreal take on the life of a fictional musician.
The children and youth competition similarly showcases international diversity. Among the selected titles are the Japanese anime ChaO, exploring the relationship between a human and a mermaid, and Space Cadet by Canadian artist Kid Koala, which follows a girl raised by a robot to become an astronaut. French productions feature prominently, including Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, an Oscar-nominated film examining childhood emotions, and My Life in Versailles, about a girl adjusting to life with her uncle in the famed palace setting. The Spanish entry Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake addresses family hardship through the perspective of a young girl.
Beyond feature films, Anifilm will screen 34 short films and 35 student works in its international competition. These selections reflect a wide range of themes, including the war in Ukraine, climate concerns, identity, and the growing presence of artificial intelligence, alongside more experimental and humorous approaches. Czech animation is represented by four short films within this international lineup.
The festival also continues its focus on music videos and non-narrative animation, with around 30 animated music videos spanning genres from classical to electronic music. Meanwhile, 24 abstract and experimental works will explore the boundaries of the medium, incorporating both digital techniques and analog approaches.
Anifilm’s competition for video games will again highlight independent and student-developed projects, underlining the increasing overlap between animation and interactive media. The selected works range from autobiographical storytelling to experimental gameplay formats.
Myths and legends shape thematic program
The 2026 edition of Anifilm is unified by a central theme exploring myths and legends, particularly stories that exist at the intersection of reality and the supernatural. Greek mythology serves as a major source of inspiration, with references to figures such as Odysseus, Orpheus, and Psyche, as well as symbolic motifs like the Sisyphean struggle.
However, the program extends beyond classical antiquity. It will include works inspired by Irish folklore, Armenian and Kyrgyz traditions, and stories rooted in Slavic, Arab, Inuit, and Native American mythologies. The festival will also present multiple interpretations of the Epic of Gilgamesh, highlighting how ancient narratives continue to resonate in contemporary animation.
A notable component of this thematic focus is the inclusion of works by Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon, known for films such as The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers. The studio’s latest short film, Eiru, will be screened, and original artwork from Wolfwalkers will be exhibited at Liberec’s Galerie Lázně.
The festival will also pay tribute to influential figures in animation whose work engages with mythological themes, including Jiří Trnka, the Quay Brothers, and Ray Harryhausen, among others. These retrospectives aim to place contemporary works within a broader historical context.
Czech animation will be showcased through the national competition Český obzor, featuring short films, a feature-length entry, and a strong presence of student work from institutions such as FAMU and UMPRUM. The program offers a comprehensive overview of domestic production over the past year.
Jan Klos, this year’s lifetime achievement award recipient, will be honored with a dedicated retrospective and a moderated discussion. Known for his work on puppet animation and collaborations with directors such as Břetislav Pojar, Klos has contributed to a number of well-known Czech series, including Pat and Mat and Jája a Pája, and has also taught at FAMU.
For more information and updates on this year’s festival, visit the official Anifilm website.
