International Animation Festival ANIMASYROS Returns to Syros

ANIMASYROS 2026, the major international animation festival, returns to Syros from September 21 to 27, bringing more than 280 films, acclaimed creators, special tributes, workshops and industry events to the Cycladic capital for its 19th consecutive year.

The festival takes place with the co-organisation of the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupolis, the South Aegean Regionand the Cyclades Chamber.

Festival organisers officially presented the 2026 programme on Monday, September 14, at the European Parliament Office in Greece, in the presence of artists, animation professionals, journalists, supporters and festival friends.

ANIMASYROS President Vassilis K. Karamanitsanis presented the event, which included simultaneous interpretation into Greek Sign Language.

Elena Papalabrou, Coordinator of Europa Experience Athens, welcomed guests on behalf of the European Parliament Office in Greece. She highlighted the role of European parliamentary democracy in crossing borders, respecting and protecting every form of art, and safeguarding freedom of expression. She also stressed that culture represents a necessity rather than a luxury for European citizens.

Among those who addressed the event were Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President of Enterprise Greece; Fotis Maggos, Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy; and Maria Kamilaki, Director General of Electronic Governance, Library and Publications at the Hellenic Parliament.

The ambassadors of Ireland, this year’s ANIMASYROS honoured country, Portugal, Latvia and Poland, as well as the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Greece, also addressed the gathering. Coral Martínez Iscar, Director of the Cervantes Institute, also attended.

A particularly moving moment came with the screening of Ninety Seconds, a short film dedicated to acclaimed Greek composer Thanos Mikroutsikos. The film forms the seventh instalment in ANIMASYROS’ Ninety Seconds series, created in collaboration with radio station Melodia 99.2.

More than 280 films from 50 countries

This year’s programme features more than 280 films by established and emerging creators from 50 countries, across seven competition sections: International, Student, K.ID.S, AnimaPride, National, TV & Commissioned Films and Feature Films.

The festival will also present special tributes, educational workshops, parallel events, international collaborations and its Agora, which has become a major meeting point for the animation industry across the Eastern Mediterranean.

The official opening will take place on Wednesday, September 23, at 8pm at the historic Apollo Theatre, with the Greek premiere of Decorado by Goya Award-winning Spanish filmmaker Alberto Vásquez, known for Unicorn Warsand Birdboy: The Forgotten Children.

With support from the Embassy of Spain in Greece and the Cervantes Institute, the film offers a darkly comic satire of life and society through Vásquez’s distinctive visual style, which combines innocence with dark humour.

International competition highlights

The International Competition features 20 films, including Paper Trail by two-time Oscar-nominated American animator Don Hertzfeldt. The existential story follows an ordinary man, Steven Richardson, through handwritten notes, school drawings and love letters.

The programme also includes Penguin, the latest film by Estonian filmmaker Kaspar Jancis, a long-time ANIMASYROS favourite whose film received its world premiere at this year’s Annecy Festival.

Other highlights include In the Beginning by Ala Nunu, a Polish-Portuguese-Spanish co-production that creates a surreal universe where a Beresheet spacecraft, hamsters and legless birds of paradise coexist with humanity’s endless attempt to make sense of the world.

Paulina Ziółkowska’s Tears follows a woman lost among possibilities and the inability — or perhaps unwillingness — to make a choice.

The festival will also screen Please by Greek-origin filmmaker Anna Mantzaris, a dark comedy about humanity’s desire to love and be loved. The film won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at this year’s Animafest Zagreb.

Other international selections include The Quinta’s Ghost by Spanish filmmaker James A. Castillo, which explores how Francisco Goya created his famous Black Paintings, and The Rose by Italian filmmaker Simone Massi, a poetic work about love and struggle dedicated to the Palestinian people.

Greek animation takes centre stage

The Greek Competition features 12 films by established and emerging filmmakers, showcasing the diversity and energy of contemporary Greek animation.

The section includes Waiting for the Barbarians by internationally acclaimed Greek animation pioneer George Sifianos, as well as 50,000,000 Tons of Landscape, marking visual artist Stefanos Rokos’ major return to animation.

The programme also features Art is Missing by George Kontos, one of the emerging voices in Greece’s creative scene.

Ireland honoured as 2026’s guest country

Ireland takes centre stage as the honoured country of ANIMASYROS 2026, with a programme highlighting the strength of contemporary Irish animation.

The festival’s major thematic tribute, 200 Years of Ermoupoli, connects animation with Syros’ history and cultural identity.

Another highlight focuses on award-winning sound designer Olivier Calvert, with a masterclass and screenings of his work.

The international programme also includes tributes to Lebanon, emerging voices in German animation, the Royal College of Art, American animation through Freedom 250, and contemporary Armenian animation.

Animation workshops explore 200 years of Ermoupoli

Educational workshops remain one of ANIMASYROS’ central pillars, with this year’s programme drawing inspiration from the festival’s 200 Years of Ermoupoli theme.

Children, teenagers, adults, people with disabilities and the festival’s beloved older participants will bring stories from Ermoupoli to life through animation.

Participants will explore hidden corners of the city through old photographs and archival material, create their own characters and travel through Ermoupoli’s 200-year history using the medium of animation.

Festival events across Syros

ANIMASYROS will use some of Syros’ most distinctive locations, including the Apollo Theatre, the Ermoupoli Cultural Centre, the Cyclades Chamber’s Valmas conference hall, the Tsiroprinas Mansion in Poseidonia, the Capuchin Monastery in Ano Syros, Miaouli Square and Finikas Square.

Parallel events and activities will also take place throughout Ermoupoli during the festival.

For the third consecutive year, the Cyclades Chamber is also taking ANIMASYROS beyond Syros, with screenings at seven of its branches in Andros, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini and Tinos.

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