Anibar International Animation Festival
Anibar International Animation Festival is an annual festival dedicated to animated movies, held every year in Peja, Kosovo.
Every summer, the festival transforms the city of Peja into a hub for animation and cultural exchange through film screenings, workshops, discussions, and concerts.
Alongside the festival week, Anibar pursues its broader mission of capacity-building by organizing training seminars, debates, and other activities that provide visibility and support for emerging artists.
History
Anibar organization was founded in 2010 by a group of young art activists. What began with a budget of 500 euros and 80 films has since grown into one of the largest cultural events in Kosova, attracting around 15,000 visitors annually and participants from more than 50 countries.The festival has played a significant role in revitalizing cultural life in Peja. In 2014, Anibar organization began discussions with the Municipality of Peja regarding the revitalization of the city’s only functional cinema "Jusuf Gërvalla. Although Anibar had been using the space for festival screenings since 2010, the cinema itself had largely remained non-functional for many years.
In 2016, the municipal assembly granted Anibar a 15-year mandate to administer the cinema. Under this agreement, Anibar presented a broad program that extended far beyond the festival week, including the development of the Animation Academy.
The revitalization transformed "Jusuf Gërvalla" cinema into a cultural center, with activities happening throughout the year, strengthening Peja’s cultural life.
Today, Anibar is known not only as an animation festival but also as a tool for cultural revival, education, dialogue, exchange, and art. The festival has had the power to transform Peja into a center of animation and continues to stand as a symbol of creativity, resilience, and freedom of expression.
Program
Films are divided into competitive and non-competitive categories.The competitive program includes the following categories:
- International
- Balkan
- Student
- Human Rights
- Animated Music Video
- Young Audience
- Virtual Reality
- Experimental Animation
- Animated Documentary
- Commissioned Works
Venues
Cinema-City "Jusuf Gërvalla" has a capacity of 300 seats, and features special programs, including those for children.Competitive films are screened daily during the festival at the following spaces:
- Cinema "Cubes"
- Istref Begolli theatre
- Cinema “lake” is an outdoor cinema by the lake, with 100 seats and inflatable boats.
Awards
Anibar gives awards in different categories, such as:- International Competition
- Student Competition
- Balkan Competition
- “Pitch It!”
- Human Rights
- Animated Music Video
- Young Audience
Editions
2011
The second edition of the Anibar International Animation Festival held in 2011 continued to establish the festival as a platform for young artists and filmmakers in Kosova and the region.| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | The External World | Ireland | David O’Rally |
| International Competition | Tussilago | Sweden | Jonas Odell |
| Balkan Competition | Guernika | Albania | Shaqir Veseli |
| Balkan Competition | Dove Sei, Amor Mio | Croatia | Veljko Popović |
2012
| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | The Backwater Gospel | Denmark | Bo Mathorne |
| International Competition | Oh Willy | Belgium | Emma de Swaet, Marc Roels |
| International Competition | Borby Deline | Switzerland | Dustin Rees |
| International Competition | In the Beginning of Time | Croatia | Bozidar Trkulja |
| Student Competition | The Father | — | Bogdanovit |
| Student Competition | Perfect Life | Turkey | Ozgul Gurbuz |
| Student Competition | Michael Pollan’s Food Rules | — | Marija Jacimovic, Benoît Detalle |
| Student Competition | The Promise of Constantine | — | Marvina Cela |
2013
The 4th edition of the Anibar International Animation Festival was held under the theme No Humans Allowed. The theme reflected on the relationship between humans, nature, and technology, encouraging audiences to imagine worlds beyond human-centered perspectives.| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | Darling / Liebling | Poland | Izabela Plucinska |
| Student Competition | The Rabbit and the Deer | Hungary | Péter Vácz |
| Balkan Competition | Ifran University | — | Riduam |
2014
| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | Baths | Hungary | Tomek Ducki |
| International Competition | Papa | Germany | Kun Jia |
| International Competition | Marilyn Myller | United Kingdom | Mikey Please |
| Student Competition | The Bigger Picture | United States | Daisy Jacobs |
| Student Competition | Holding Brother’s Hand and How the Jelly Explodes | Germany | Kiana Naghshineh |
| Student Competition | But Milk is Important | Sweden | Anna Mantzaris, Eirik Grønmo Bjørnsen |
| Balkan Competition | Rabbitland | Serbia | Ana Nedeljkovic, Nikola Majdak |
| Balkan Competition | Hunger | Croatia | Petra Zlonoga |
| Balkan Competition | Simulacra | Croatia | Ivana Bošnjak, Thomas Johnson |
| Audience Award | Don’t Fear Death | Canada | Louis Hudson |
2015
The 6th edition of the Anibar International Animation Festival theme was Migration. The program included 200 animated films. This edition emphasized tolerance and the role of animated films in encouraging young people to understand social issues through creativity. A special highlight was the participation of Mike Reiss, a producer of The Simpsons, who shared insights into the making of the iconic series, including stories about guest stars and production challenges. The festival also welcomed back Italian collaborators from the Ottoman Laboratori to run workshops teaching children how to create short-length animated films.| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | We Can’t Live Without Cosmos | Russia | Konstantin Bronzit |
2016
The 7th edition took place from 15 to 21 August and was focused on the environment climate change.| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | A Coat Made Dark | Ireland | Jack O’Shea |
| International Competition | Shell All | France | Zaver Najjar |
| Student Competition | Sea Child | United Kingdom | Minha Kim |
| Student Competition | Velodrool | Estonia | Sander Joon |
| Student Competition | The More I Know | Czech Republic | Marek Naprstek |
| Student Competition | RRRING RRRING | Germany | Thomas Kneffel |
| Student Competition | D 729 | Belgium | Levi Stoops |
| Student Competition | Ivan’s Need | Switzerland | Veronika L. Montano, Manuela Leuenberger, Lukas Suter |
| Balkan Competition | Of Slaves and Robots | Serbia | Miloc Tomic |
| Animated Music Video Competition | Quack Fat – Opiuo | Australia | Jonathan Chong |
| Environmental Competition | October 2050 | Czech Republic | Alzbeta Gobelova |
| Audience Award | He Who Has Two Souls | France | Fabrice Luang-Vija |
2017
Reclaim the City, was the official theme of this edition. Reclaim the City focused on the struggle for democratic values in public space. The festival attracted many people, with different activities that represented a depoliticized culture as well as a more open mindset toward new media.| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | Nothing Happens | Denmark | Michelle Kranot, Uri Kranot |
| International Competition | Pussy | Poland | Renata Gąsiorowska |
| International Competition | Ogre | France | Laurene Braibant |
| International Competition | Nighthawk | Slovenia | Spela Cadez |
| Student Competition | Oh, Mother | Poland | Paulina Ziolkowska |
| Student Competition | Juliette | Belgium | Lora D’Addazio |
| Student Competition | Tough | Canada | Jennifer Zheng |
| Student Competition | It’s a Date | United States | Zachary Zezima |
| Music Video Competition | Zapaska | Ukraine | Oleg Shcherba |
| Music Video Competition | GastaLoops | United Kingdom | Nicola Gastaldi |
| Balkan Competition | Wicked Girl | France | Ayce Kartal |
| Balkan Competition | 20 Kicks | Bulgaria | Dimitar Dimitrov |
2018
The 9th edition of the Anibar Festival was organized under the theme 50:50 - Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.During this edition, several panels were held, aiming to promote awareness whereas 220 animated films were screened. The idea was to inspire both women and men to address gender inequalities.
| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | Carlotta’s Face | Germany | Frédéric Schuld |
| International Competition | Intimity | Spain | Amarna Miller |
| Student Competition | Flower Found! | Netherlands | Jorn Leeuwerink |
| Student Competition | Auegenblick – A Blink of an Eye | Germany | Kiana Naghshineh |
| Student Competition | Enough | Sweden | Anna Mantzaris |
| Balkan Competition | Untravel | Serbia | Nikola Majdak Jr., Ana Nedeljkovic |
| Balkan Competition | The Monk | Thailand | Juck Somsaman |
| Animated Music Video Competition | Happy | — | — |
| Animated Music Video Competition | FINKEL: w/o | France | Sanni Lahtinen |
| Animated Music Video Competition | Engine of Progress | — | — |
| Feature Film Competition | Chris the Swiss | Switzerland | Anja Kofmel |
| Public Award | iRony | United Kingdom | Amy Nicholson |
2019
This edition of the Anibar International Animation Festival took place under the theme “Hopes and Fears”, highlighting the collective hopes and fears of our society. Through animation, the festival sought to spark dialogue on political, social, and environmental challenges, while giving young people and artists the space to express their visions and encourage civic activism. This edition marked a decade of Anibar as a vital cultural and artistic platform in Kosovo, showcasing the power of art to inspire social change and preserve hope for a better future.| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | And Then the Bear | France | Agnes Patron |
| International Competition | I’m Going Out for Cigarettes | France | Osman Cerfon |
| International Competition | Egg | United States | Martina Scarpelli |
| Student Competition | Applesauce | Austria | Alexander Gratzer |
| Student Competition | Hide N Seek | Czech Republic | Barbora Halířová |
| Balkan Competition | Imbued Life | Croatia | Thomas Johnson, Ivana Bosnjak |
| Balkan Competition | N’korniz | Kosova | Gëzim Ramizi |
| Feature Film Competition | The Tower | Norway | Mats Grorud |
| Animated Music Video Competition | SIAMÉS – MR. FEAR | Argentina | Pablo Rafael Roldán, Ezequiel Torres |
| Audience Award | Toomas Beneath the Valley of the Wild Wolves | Croatia | Chintis Lundgren |
2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anibar was organised in the virtual format for the first time. This year's theme was "Humans", and through films, presentations, and panels throughout the weeks of the festival, the main focus was on the collective humanitarian effort, which was highlighted even more because of the situation caused by COVID-19.2021
After COVID, the festival's theme was "Isolation". It reflected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting solitude and claustrophobia. It included hybrid, online, and in-person events during July 23–30.| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | Souvenir Souvenir | France | Bastien Dubois |
| International Competition | My Galactic Twin Galaction | Russia | Sasha Svirsky |
| Student Competition | Butterfly Jam | France | Shih-Yen Huang |
| Student Competition | Coffin | France | Yuanqing Cai, Nathan Crabot, Houzhi Huang, Mikolaj Janiw, Mandimby Lebon, Théo Tran Ngoc |
| Balkan Competition | Those Who Drown Cling to Foam | Kosovo | Urtina Hoxha |
| Balkan Competition | Elusiveness | Serbia | Marija Vulić |
| Animated Music Video Competition | A Little Too Much | United States | Martina Scarpelli |
| Animated Music Video Competition | Kona | Kosova | Shpat Morina |
| Feature Film Competition | Kill It and Leave This Town | Poland | Mariusz Wilczyński |
| Human Rights Competition | Where Were You? | Spain | María Trénor Colomer |
| Human Rights Competition | We Have One Heart | Poland | Katarzyna Warzecha |
2022
The theme of this year's festival was Superstitions.2023
The 14th edition of Anibar International Animation Festival took place from 17 to 23 July 2023 under the theme “Love - Dashni”.Amid a world of division and chaos, the festival reminded everyone that love has no boundaries, is abundant, and exists in many dimensions. It highlighted love as a transformative social and cultural force, emphasizing human connections and inclusivity.
The program explored the multifaceted nature of love, addressing its complexities and diverse manifestations through animated films, discussions, and other cultural activities.
| Category | Winner | Country | Director |
| International Competition | Eeva | Estonia/Croatia | Lucija Mezljak, Morten Tsinakov |
| Feature Film Competition | Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish | US | Lei Lei |
| Student Competition | Above the Clouds | Hungary | Vivien Harshegyi |
| Balkan Competition | Money and Happiness | Serbia | Ana Nedeljkovic, Nikola Majdak Jr. |
| Human Rights Competition | Dear Mahsa | Austria | Martin Pflanzer |
| Animated Music Video Competition | Ninulla F | Kosova | Flaka Kokolli |
| Young Audience Competition | Beanboy | Denmark | Emily Hanning |
2024
The 15th edition of Anibar was held in 2024 under the theme “Smash the Patriarchy”, focusing on systemic inequality and gender discrimination. The program included film screenings, panel discussions, educational activities, and music events, with an emphasis on equity, inclusion, diversity, and a healed society.| Category | Winner | Director | - |
| International Competition | Zima | Tomek Popakul, Kasumi Ozeki | |
| Balkan Competition | The Family Portrait | Lea Vidakovic | |
| Student Competition | Bunnyhood | Mansi Maheshwari | |
| Student Competition | Adiós | José Prats | |
| Human Rights Competition | Chicken | Anna Benner | |
| Human Rights Competition | Kissing Day | Director | |
| Animated Music Video Competition | Illusion | Jin Woo | |
| Animated Music Video Competition | Stop the Music | Weronika Anna Marianna | |
| Young Audience Competition | Out There | Evgeniy Golovin, Alexander Afonasyev | |
| Young Audience Competition | Hoofs on Skates | Ignas Meilūnas | |
| Pitch Competition – 1st Place | Stick With Me | Albana Hajdini | |
| Pitch Competition – 2nd Place | Imagine if You Can’t Imagine the Imaginable | Kaltrina Berisha | |
| Pitch Competition – 3rd Place | Inside a Box | Bleona Ibrahimi | |
| Audience Award | Our Uniform | Yegane Moghaddam |
Socio-Economic Impact
Since its establishment, Anibar has grown beyond being just an organization. It has become an important driver of socio-economic development in Peja and Kosova at large.Every year, the festival attracts thousands of visitors from Kosova, the region, and abroad. This influx of people contributes directly to the local economy through increased demand for accommodation, food services, transportation, and other local businesses.
Moreover, the festival strengthens Kosova’s international image as both a cultural and economic destination. By positioning Peja on the map of global animation festivals, Anibar showcases the city’s creativity, resilience, and openness to cultural exchange.
Most recent study conducted by Idra Research and Consulting Firm confirmed that visitor spending during the festival, covering accommodation, food, and other services has a positive impact on the local economy.
According to the data, accommodation expenses at Anibar are one of the essential categories where participants spend an average of €66.10, leading to an estimated total expenditure of €480,877.50 during the 16th edition of the festival, held in 2024.
Meanwhile, in total, expenditures across all categories amount to €1,671,067.50.