The 19th edition of the International Animation Festival ANIMASYROS concluded in Syros on 27 September, reaffirming its position as one of Greece’s leading institutions in the field of animation and a key platform for bringing together artistic creativity, culture, innovation and international development. The 2026 edition was dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the founding of Ermoupolis, highlighting the city’s enduring historical significance as one of the most important centers of modern Greece while connecting this rich heritage with a forward-looking program.

Over the course of seven days, ANIMASYROS presented more than 280 films from 50 countries, alongside seven competition sections, screenings, international tributes, educational activities and social inclusion initiatives. Once again, the Festival demonstrated its ability to bring diverse audiences closer to the art of animation while creating valuable networking opportunities for artists, producers, institutional representatives and professionals from the audiovisual industry.

The artistic dimension of this year’s event was also reflected in the awards officially announced on 27 September. In the International Competition, the award went to Please by Anna Mantzaris; in the Greek Competition, to The Dog by Konstantinos Dimi; and in the Student Competition, to Gauze by Noran Fikri Alezabi, Nicholas Arujah, Xinyue Ma, Yulin Yue and Xiaonan Zhou. In the TV & Commissioned Films category, Saltwater by Eilidh Nicoll was recognised, while Eyeliner by Aisha Boudjillouli received the award in the Animapride section and The Eagle and the Kinglet by Paul Jadoul in the K.ID.S section. The Audience Award went to Unstoppable by Martin Lund.

Alongside its cultural dimension, ANIMASYROS is also establishing itself as an important platform for the international promotion and visibility of Greece’s animation ecosystem. In this context, the Festival’s partnership with Enterprise Greece is of particular significance, supporting the professional dimension of the Agora. As part of the Animation Agora Days, Enterprise Greece supported the B2B “Speed Dating” initiative, designed to connect Greek creators, producers and industry professionals with international representatives of the audiovisual sector.

The initiative aims to strengthen the international visibility of Greek creative talent, expand professional networks, foster potential international co-productions and create new business and investment opportunities. In this way, animation emerges not only as a form of artistic and cultural expression, but also as a dynamic creative industry with the potential to contribute to the internationalization of the Greek economy and the development of new partnerships.

This direction is closely aligned with the mission of Enterprise Greece, a state-owned company supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which focuses on attracting foreign direct investment to Greece and promoting Greek products and services internationally. Its presence at ANIMASYROS highlights the growing importance of the cultural and creative industries in strengthening the international presence and outward orientation of the Greek economy.

In the context of ANIMASYROS, Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Enterprise Greece, highlighted the importance of the Festival as a platform for meeting, dialogue and cooperation. He underlined its contribution to connecting sustainable local development with the diversity of traditions and communities, as well as with the fields of culture, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Within the same framework, he emphasized the importance of animation as both an artistic form of expression and a creative industry, with the potential to strengthen cultural ties, promote business activity and enhance the international visibility of initiatives and destinations.

The combination of the artistic program with professional activities further reinforces Syros’s role as a meeting point for the animation industry in the Eastern Mediterranean. The participation of professionals and representatives from different countries encourages the exchange of experience, expertise and diverse perspectives, further expanding the sector’s international reach.

The 2026 edition also acquired a distinct international dimension through the screening of Decorado by Spanish director Alberto Vásquez, presented in cooperation with the Embassy of Spain in Greece and Instituto Cervantes. The Spanish participation reinforced the open and Mediterranean character of a platform that connects Greek audiences and industry professionals with the global animation community.

With its 19th edition, ANIMASYROS has once again demonstrated its ability to serve as a space for artistic expression, a platform for professional exchange and a catalyst for international collaboration. The partnership with Enterprise Greece and, in particular, the development of the Speed Dating initiative within the Agora helps translate creative potential into new professional connections and opportunities for collaboration, strengthening the international presence of Greek animation.