Etiuda & Anima 2026: Industry Programme (Creative Lab)

More than screenings. The Creative Lab of this year's Etiuda & Anima Festival (26-31 October 2026, Krakow, Poland) opens its doors to diverse animation industry activities. From an array into animation and the subconscious (Vladimir Leschiov) to international co-production (Kerdi Oengo), there are plenty of masterclasses, workshops, and networking opportunities to take note of.

Marta Pajek conducts a 2-day workshop, and Polish animation auteur  Piotr Dumała celebrates 50 years of his artistic career.

Check the main highlights of this year's programme below (and consult our screening guide here).

Masterclasses

✔️ Masterclass: Subconscious and The Language of Animation: Vladimir Leschiov

Latvian animation director Vladimir Leschiov will introduce the audience to his world of animated films (Wings and Oars, Rainy Dains) that have won international awards worldwide. In this lecture, he dives into his creative process through the lens of storytelling.

✔️ Masterclass: From Documentary to Animation Led by: Ilze Burkovska-Jacobsen

The director of 'My Favorite War' will give a corresponding lecture, exploring the relationship between documentary and animation.

 ✔️ Masterclass: The Animator and the Machine. What is the role of animation and the animator in the age of AI? Tomek Baginski

Oscar-nominated Polish animation director Tomek Baginski (The Cathedral, Fallen Art), wll talk about mass-produced AI products, authenticity and the emotional imprint of the human hand.

✔️ Masterclass: 50th Anniversary of Artistic Career — Piotr Dumała 

Polish animation auteur Piotr Dumała (Lycanthropy, Walls, Franz Kafka, Crime and Punishment) has crafted its own trajectory in the world of independent animation.The masterclass promises to be a fascinating adventure into his multi-faceted work.

Workshops

 ✔️ The Profession of Storyboard Artist -  January Misianik

A two-day workshop on visual storytelling. The first day covers a theoretical introduction and an analysis of the principles of framing and narrative, followed by practical storyboard creation exercises. On the second day, participants refine their projects by working on scene flow and visual expression.

The workshop concludes with a review of the work, a discussion of techniques, and guidance for further development.

✔️ This Magic Moment – in search of history:  Marta Pajek

A two-day workshop (open to 12 participants, animation and visual arts students)  focused on the initial stage of filmmaking: where to find inspiration and how to use it. Navigating the space between the personal and the universal, we will work together to discover that magical moment when a film idea is born.

Marta Pajek (Impossible Figures and Other Stories) has an educational connection to Kraków, since she graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków in 2005, specializing in animation in Jerzy Kucia’s studio.

✔️ Workshops: international co-productions: Kerdi Oengo, Nukufilm Studios

✔️  Animation Pitching Workshop — Part 1: Pitching Your Project: Nancy Denney-Phelps

Animation journalist and pitching coach Nancy Denney-Phelps has a four-hour workshop on how to successfully pitch your project (short animated film, a feature, or a television series).  The workshop is open to people with animated projects in any style and stage of progress, from early script development to completed films looking for a distributor. Open to 15 participants

 ✔️ Animation workshops for kids — Emotions: Katarzyna Agopsowicz

Workshop theme: Emotion. During this stop-motion animation workshop, participants will learn the secrets of creating stop-motion animation (age of participants: 10-14 years).

Katarzyna Agopsowicz (Tomorrow) is a screenwriter and director of animated films. A graduate of the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. 

Comeback, Vladimir Sechiov

Panel Discussion

✔️ European Animation Awards
During the festival, a panel discussion will be held in collaboration with EAA, featuring members of the EAA Board and invited guests from the Polish Film Institute.
The theme of the panel discussion is: 'Small Countries, Big Films: How to Build the International Animation Scene'

Books Promotion - Piotr Dumała

A presentation of his latest literary works published over the past year, including a comic book, a poetry collection, a book-length interview, and a novel. The conversation will be hosted by Jakub Moroz, journalist, cultural commentator, and theatre critic.

Networking Events

✔️ Meet the Producer – Talent Market: presentation of animation studios & one-to-one meeting
Polish animation studios will present their work, indicating the competences and skills they are looking for in employees and collaborators (event organized in collaboration with the Polish Animation Producers Association

The 33rd edition of Etiuda & Anima takes place 26-31 October 2026 in Krakow, Poland. The full schedule at etiudaandanima.pl.