Celebrating International Animation Day: Screenings and Dialogue at the French Institute in Athens
On Monday, October 30 2023 at 7 PM, the Theo Angelopoulos Auditorium at the French Institute of Greece hosted a special evening dedicated to the art of animation. Organized by ASIFA Hellas, the Hellenic chapter of the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA), the event forms part of the global celebrations for International Animation Day (IAD)—an annual tribute to the creative power and cultural significance of animated cinema.
Honoring the Origins of Animation
International Animation Day marks a historic moment in the evolution of visual storytelling. On October 28, 1892, the Théâtre Optique in Paris presented what is now acknowledged as the first public screening of animated moving images—a landmark event that laid the foundation for an art form that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
More than a century later, animation is flourishing across diverse platforms: from cinema and television to advertising, digital media, and multimedia installations. Whether through major studio productions or independent short films, animation today is a vibrant and boundary-pushing form of artistic expression.
A Conversation on Greek Animation Today
This year’s celebration in Athens places a special focus on the state of contemporary Hellenic animation. An open panel discussion titled “Hellenic Animation Today” had brought together prominent professionals from the field to explore critical questions:
- How does Hellenic animation compare with international standards in terms of technique and aesthetics?
- What challenges do Greek animators face in production, distribution, and visibility?
- How can the local animation industry benefit from international collaborations and institutional support, such as that offered by the Greek Film Centre ?
Panelists include animators, directors, and producers Irida Zioga, Dafni Xourafi, Angelos Rouvas, and Stavros Savvaidis, the latter also serving as director of Funny Tales Studio. The discussion will be moderated by Alekos Papadatos, acclaimed animator and director.
International Screenings: A Global Perspective
Following the panel, the audience was invited to enjoy a selection of award-winning animated short films from around the world. The program features work from Australia, the United States, India, Iran, Canada, China, Cyprus, Taiwan, and Greece, offering a glimpse into the diverse narratives, techniques, and cultural perspectives that animate the global scene.
A Tribute in Art
The official poster for International Animation Day 2023 was designed and illustrated by the legendary Georges Schwizgebel, whose work is celebrated for its painterly style and evocative visual storytelling. His contribution adds a fitting artistic touch to this year’s celebration, underscoring the enduring beauty and significance of animation as an art form.
- Deer in Traditional arts (1’31” – 2021, IRAN) Director & Producer: Toroska Salari
- Morning Coffee (1’00” – 2015, USA) Director & Producer: Tracy Miller-Robbins
- The Pioneers (9’40” – 2021, CANADA) Director & Producer: Simon Cottee
- Fortune Cookie (3’50” – 2023, TAIWAN/USA) Director & Producer: Fu Yang
- Swim (1’50” – 2017, INDIA) Director & Producer: Shweta Marathe
- Donks (6’36” – 2023, AUSTRALIA) Director: Felix Colgrave, Producer: Zoë Medcraft
- Gorilla Tactics (3’23” – 2023, USA) Director & Producer: Michael Long
- Elegy of Elephant (8’29” – 2023, CHINA) Director: Lu Sijie, Producer: Ai Shengyin, Yu Haiyan
- Red Fire (11’00” – 2021, IRAN) Director: Mona A.Shahi, Producer: Ehsan Tavassolizadeh
- Through the Looking Glasses (4’25” – 2022, USA) Director: Morgan L. Eng, Producer: Jocelyn Strait
- Hummings of a Hummingbird (2’07 – 2023, CYPRUS) Director & Producer: Savvas Constantinou
- Pink Mountain (8’40” – 2022, GREECE) Director: Thomas Kunstler, Producer: Konstantinos Vasilaros.
- Mine (8’00” – 2022, GREECE) Director & Producer: Dafni Xourafi
The event was held with the support of the French Institute of Greece, the Hellenic Parliament Television Channel, and ASIFA.
The video spot was directed by Fokion Xenos.