History
The Festival was born in the Cypriot countryside, in the small courtyard of the Hambis Printmaking School in the village of Platanisteia, Limassol, in 2002, by Υiorgos Tsangaris, Yiangos Hadjiyiannis and Dimitris Eipides. Initially, the festival was called the Small Documentary Festival and was the first documentary festival in Cyprus. A little later, it was renamed the Countryside Animafest Cyprus – Views of the World, the first of its kind in Cyprus, from then on focusing exclusively on the art of independent animation cinema.
Animafest Cyprus, as one of the longest-running film festivals in Cyprus, is undoubtedly a major contributor in the creation of a new culture for film festivals and also for the appreciation of animation in Cyprus.
Since its inception as a high-quality cultural activity taking place in the countryside, the festival has been bringing together people from all walks of life for 25 years. We believe that the festival has contributed significantly in creating an interest in independent animation in Cyprus among a very wide audience–a fact that makes Countryside Animafest Cyprus stand out internationally.
The festival is renowned for the high quality of its programming, for its wide and enthusiastic audience and for its active presence in the cultural scene throughout the year. In the context of the festival we have international and national competition film programs, parallel screening, tributes, exhibitions and masterclasses by distinguished international guests. The festival showcases a selection of the worldʼs latest productions, focusing on independent, non-commercial films. Animafest Cyprus has strong bonds with the major cultural institutions in Cyprus and is supported by the Department of Contemporary Culture – Deputy Ministry of Culture.
The festival is showcasing the work of a new generation of Cypriot animation filmmakers and is committed to creating opportunities for training and for the development of new productions.
Its various activities throughout the year include the annual Countryside Animafest Cyprus (Summer) the Junior Edition (Winter – Spring), expert seminars, workshops, Residency programs, special programs, tributes, screenings, etc. In this way the festival initiates international collaborations and provides opportunities for artistic growth.