Romanian projects selected for the Black Sea Animation Workshop

Animest, the leading Romanian animation festival, is proud to announce its partnership in organizing the 10th edition of the Black Sea Animation Workshop. Hosted in Tbilisi, Georgia, this highly anticipated event brings together animation talent from the Black Sea region for a five-day development and pitching workshop.

Organized by the Georgian Animators Association  SAQANIMA and Film Studio Kvali, and supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institut Français de Géorgie, Tbilisi City Hall, Georgian National Film Center, and the Annecy International Film Market (MIFA), the workshop aims to provide opportunities for the animation industry to thrive in this culturally rich region. Animest’s participation further solidifies Romania’s role in nurturing and promoting regional animation talent.

A Milestone Workshop for Regional Collaboration

This year, the Black Sea Animation Workshop is open to creators from Ukraine, Georgia, Bulgaria, Türkiye, and Romania. Ten projects, two from each country, have been carefully selected by international experts for participation:

Ukraine: "Frescoes of Memories" by Alexandra Dzhiganskaya, "The Greatest Of All Power" by Svitlana Magda

Georgia: "Anatomy of Mr. Burda" by Mariam Qortua, "Eva and Adam" by Sofio Chincharauli and Elene Tavadze

Bulgaria: "Grains of Sand" by Petya Zlateva, "Members Only" by Lina Kalcheva

Türkiye: "The Kindergarten" by Melis Balci, "Umami" by Serap Çabuk

Romania: "As I Look Out The Window" by Agata Tabacu, "On the Balcony of a House" by Anna Florea

"As I Look Out The Window" by Agata Tabacu

The workshop is free of charge and will be led by two renowned mentors from France, Corinne Destombes and Olivier Catherin. Their expertise will guide participants in refining their projects, with a focus on development and pitching strategies.

Opportunities for Emerging Talent

The workshop’s outcomes extend beyond project development. From the ten participating projects, five will be selected by MIFA experts to participate in the first Black Sea Partner Pitch event at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2025. This presents a significant opportunity for emerging filmmakers to gain visibility on a global stage.

Moreover, the workshop also offers valuable prizes for outstanding projects. One project will receive a one-month residency at Fontevraud in 2025, while another will benefit from free accreditation to the CEE Animation Forum 2025. 

Romanian Representation and Support

Romanian filmmakers Agata Tabacu and Anna Florea will represent their country with the projects "As I Look Out The Window" and "On the Balcony of a House," respectively. Both participants have received travel support from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"On the Balcony of a House" by Anna Florea

Animest is proud to facilitate Romania’s engagement in this dynamic initiative, which aligns with its ongoing mission to foster the next generation of animation professionals. The Black Sea Animation Workshop exemplifies the power of international collaboration in empowering emerging voices in animation.