This session marks the next step in a collaborative process launched through the Black Sea Animation Workshop, a professional development program co-organized by partners from Georgia, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine. The initiative builds on a decade-long collaboration between the Georgian Animators Association SAQANIMA and the Annecy Festival through the "Animation du Monde" program. Following the first edition in Tbilisi, Georgia, the second edition was hosted in Sofia, Bulgaria, with Moldova participating as a guest country. Supported by Annecy’s expert mentoring network, the workshop brought together filmmakers from across the region, five of whom were selected to pitch their work at MIFA 2026:
- Cherry Pierogi by Mykyta MOISEIEV & Olha HAVRYLOVA (Ukraine)
- The Boy and The Persimmon Tree by Lina AKULASHVILI (Georgia)
- Puer Aethernus by Asparuh PETROV (Bulgaria)
- The Fly On The Wall by Sule BARMAN (Türkiye)
- Guilty Silence by Alina GHEORGHE (Romania)
Following the pitches, a brief introduction to the regional animation landscape will be presented by the event's co-organizers: Mariam Kandelaki (SaqAnima, Georgia), Nazlı Eda Noyan (Anim.Ist, Türkiye), Vessela Dantcheva (Sofia Animation Lab, Bulgaria), Helga Fodorean (Animest Festival, Romania), and Anastasiya Verlinska (Linoleum Animation Festival, Ukraine).
The Black Sea Animation Shorts event is proudly supported by the French Institute, the Ministry of Culture, the Bulgarian National Film Fund, the Georgian National Film Center, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Institut Français de Roumanie. These institutions share a common vision of strengthening creative cooperation and visibility for the animation industry in the Black Sea countries.
Expanding Georgia's Presence at Annecy 2026
Beyond the regional showcase, SAQANIMA is proud to announce an exceptionally strong Georgian presence across the official selection and festival panels. In a major international recognition, SAQANIMA founder and director Mariam Kandelaki has been selected as a Jury Member for the Commissioned Films Competition.
Furthermore, contemporary Georgian animation will be represented in several official festival categories:
- IGI – The feature animation project has been selected for the prestigious Work in Progress
- DAS Production – A commercial produced by the Georgian company DAS will compete in the Commissioned Films Competition.
- When the Sea Was Calm – This stop-motion short film has been selected for the main Short Film Competition.
- How to Hold a Hurricane – A student short film project to be presented at the MIFA Student Pitch.
Remarkably, all five of these selected Georgian projects were created by filmmakers who participated in the Annecy–Georgia Animation project development Workshop in various years, highlighting the workshop’s vital role in advancing contemporary Georgian filmmaking onto the global stage.
These milestones reflect the growing international visibility of Georgian animation and the dynamic development of the regional industry. Throughout the festival, attendees can connect with the national delegations at MIFA: Georgia at the Saqanima Animation in Georgia booth (F.22), Romania at the Animation Festival Network booth, and Ukraine at booth F.09.
SAQANIMA continues to support local animators and foster international collaboration through training programs, co-production initiatives, and industry partnerships.
Media Contact:
Mariam Kandelaki
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
