The sixth edition of the Animation Bucharest International Film Festival (ABIFF) will take place from Friday to Sunday in Bucharest and 11 other towns and cities across Romania: Pitesti, Sinaia, Targu Jiu, Slanic Prahova, Borsa, Vulcan, Resita, Petrosani, Brad, Lupeni and Caransebes, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES.

The festival will officially open on Friday at 8:00 pm at Cinemateca Eforie with a screening of the animated film A Story About Fire, directed by Li Wenyu. The film, which premiered worldwide at Berlinale 2025 and will be shown in Romania for the first time at ABIFF, tells a story of transformation and the inner energy that drives things forward.

One of this year's special guests is Mohamed Ghazala (Egypt/Saudi Arabia), director, lecturer and Vice-President of ASIFA International. He will deliver a presentation during the festival conference and will introduce the selection Animated Africa in 90 Years, comprising 11 African short films. The special screening is scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 pm at Cinemateca Eforie.

According to the organisers, this year's edition brings together films, creators and diverse cultural perspectives under the common theme of how stories come to life through animation in a contemporary context.

The festival also continues its academic component through a hybrid conference organised in partnership with the National University of Theatre and Film 'I. L. Caragiale' in Bucharest. Researchers, artists and lecturers from Europe, Asia and Africa will explore topics related to the history, technology and aesthetics of animation, as well as the transformations brought about by new media and teaching methods.

The conference will also feature a selection of films created by pupils from the Nicolae Tonitza High School of Arts under the guidance of director and professor Bogdan Mihailescu. The screening will take place on Saturday at 12:00 noon at UNATC CINETic and will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the young filmmakers.

The selection includes De trei ori teroare/Three Times Terror, directed by Theodora Niculae; In Plain Sight, directed by Sofia Ciocoiu; The Inuit, directed by Dorin Muresan; and Phantom's Veil, directed by Delia Ficleanu.

'This is a moment when the festival embraces the idea of beginnings, as a space of becoming. The beginning of a vocation, of a gaze learning how to see, of an artistic journey that is not predetermined but sought and discovered step by step through every film and every encounter,' said ABIFF Artistic Director Mirona Radu.

The programme also includes two masterclasses aimed at professionals and emerging filmmakers. Director Bogdan Muresanu will lead a workshop on production and project development, while Erentia Bedeker (South Africa) will discuss production design and experimentation in animation.

Following last year's open call, the festival will also host a new pitching session featuring 12 selected projects from Romania: The Wolf and the Moon by Agata Tabacu and Paulo Apodaca; Guilty Silence by Alina Gheorghe; Learn with Catoo! by Andra Dumitras; Istoricofantasticum by Bogdan-Anton Mihailescu; Angels by Stefania Bodescu; F* Off and Go Home! by Eliza Zdru; Star Child by George Alin Vladuca; Distinct Instincts by George ve Gänæaard; Isochron by Marius Iacob; The Life, Death and Death of Artem Mizil by Marta Patricia Cretu; The Little Bear and the Magical Pearl by Stefan Buzea; and The Secret Globe by Vendel Béla Pál.

The international jury consists of Chelo Loureiro, Vicente Mallols and Maxime Vouillon. Participants will present their ideas in short, focused sessions where questions and feedback form an integral part of the development process.

In addition to competitions and professional networking events, ABIFF is expanding its programme beyond Bucharest through screenings and workshops dedicated to creative processes and experimentation in animation, taking place in several locations across the country.

Admission to all events is free, subject to availability and advance reservation or registration. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)