17th Countryside Animafest Cyprus "Views of the World"

Countryside Animafest Cyprus is getting ready for its 17th edition and is proud to announce its official selection!

This summer once again we celebrate love for art and art for everyone, as we gather to watch a selection of the most important independent animation films from around the world. These artists continue to create beautiful work with a fighting spirit, despite the dehumanizing and disheartening darkness of the world we live in today.

The international program includes work by renowned artists such as Max Andersson,Vladimir Leschiov, Riho Unt, Alexey Alekseev and many others. We will watch films that celebrate the limitless power of imagination, such as Mirai Mizoue’s DREAMLAND; films that point to the contradictions of our existence and our inner life with humour and sensitivity, such as THE OGRE by Laurène Braibant; films that contain poignant political allegories such as RABBIT’S BLOOD by Sarina Nihei and MARK LOTTERMANN – HAPPY by Alice Saey; films that boldly address societal conflict such as RIOT by Frank Ternier and 32RBIT by Victor Orozco Ramirez; films whose unique aesthetic is inspired by the visual arts, such as CYCLISTS by Veljko Popovic; films with stunningly innovative concepts and aesthetics; films whose universality and tenderness speak to our soul, such as HEDGEHOG’S HOME by Eva Cvijanovic and the Oscar-nominated NEGATIVE SPACE by Ru Kuwahata and Max Porter.

The National competition includes, among others, IMMENSITY, a new film by Eleni Chadriotou, (best Film in Cypriot competition 2016 “I the Eye”) and DUMA by Paschalis Paschali, as well as films by promising animation students of the Cyprus University of Technology.

We are proud to present a special tribute to a contemporary master of animation, acclaimed artist Georges Schwizgebel, who also created this year’s poster. The tribute consists of a retrospective selection of Schwizgebel’s films and an exhibition of drawings.

Schwizgebel will also serve in this year’s international jury committee along with Jean-Luc Slock, founder and director of Camera Etc and Élise Labbé, Head of Festivals and audience development at the National Film Board of Canada.

Check out our website www.animafest.com.cy and our Facebook page for frequent updates.

Animafest Cyprus is sponsored by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus. Awards sponsored by Bank of Cyprus.