It is a significant asset of the Festival of Film Animation to discover international cinematographies that are not so familiar to Czech audiences.
Our programme managers have focusedon Croatian animation this year. Although it is one of the significant sources of world animation with a long tradition and renowned name, it is not widely known in our country. This section will map the rich history as well as new tendencies and trends of Croatian animation in five blocks. Its beginnings date back to the 1950s when it started to become the so-called Zagreb School of Animated Film. It was within its influence that the unique and prized works originated, and gradually they earned their position in the animation world. PAF has contacted the Zagreb Film company, which was founded in 1953 and under whose production the majority of the films were made. Two blocks called The Selection of Zagreb's Classic I and II, composed of the top works of Croatian provenance, will be presented within the framework of a historical excursion. A contemporary production of the Zagreb Film will be mapped in the New Horizons block, in which Darko Bakliža – director and painter, professor at the Department of Animated Film and New Media – will personally present a small retrospective of his progressive films. The founding of small production and distribution companies that animation, is a new phenomenon. Kenges studio was well known and transformed into the Bonobo studio in 2008. Its art director, author of animated and experimental films – Simon Bogojević Narath – will present the most interesting films from the production of the allied studios and will introduce as yet unfinished projects. An exclusive programme event awaits you in the form of a final selection of twenty-five student animated films that Ivan Ladislav Galeta, this year's PAF Cult personage, has chosen for PAF.
Kristýna Bzenecká
