Animafest celebrates 20 years

Salamiou village will once again turn into a ground for contemporary film screenings this summer as the 20th edition of the Countryside Animafest Cyprus arrives on August 11-14. Salamiou, a rural community well hidden in the mountainous inland, has been the home of Animafest for the last four years and has become known around the world for hosting and supporting an acclaimed international artistic event.

For the festival’s 20th edition, the programme will include a selection of films from around the world. The exhibition spaces will also be functioning again, and the programme Animation and Contemporary Art returns with two artists in residency: Gerco De Ruijter (Netherlands) and Ana Mouyis (Cyprus, USA).

In recent years, the festival’s programme has combined cinema and contemporary art. The competition programme aims to find a balance between experimental and narrative film. In addition screenings will include the jury programme, which consists of films made by the three members of the jury: Gerco de Ruijter (Netherlands), Otto Alder (Germany) and Ana Mouyis (Cyprus – USA).

A special place in this anniversary edition is given to the tribute to Cypriot animation, which will include Cypriot films that have stood out in recent years, as well as films by the pioneers of Cypriot animation. Another factor that makes this 20^th edition unique is that this year marks the beginning of a collaboration with Sicily’s Animaphix and Chaniartoon – International Comic and Animation Festival of Crete, under the title Animed and will include films from Mediterranean Countries.

“Our times demand a new collectivity that transcends borders and all kinds of barriers,” say organisers. “Groups of people who share the vision that art can light the way for a world we do not yet see but hope to build, overcome their differences and join forces. Twenty years after our first screening, we realise that Animafest Cyprus evolved out of such collective efforts and creative encounters. We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the festival over the last two decades. We’d especially like to welcome the amazing team of ABR, who shares our vision and who are contributing this year to the organisational aspect of the festival.”

With festival preparations in full swing as less than a month remains until Salamiou bursts with cinema and art lovers, 33 films in competition were recently selected. The full programme will be uploaded shortly on the Animafest Facebook page and on the official website at www.animafest.com.cy.

Views of the World

20^th edition of Countryside Animafest Cyprus. August 11-14. Salamiou village, Paphos. www.animafest.com.cy