CEE Animation Forum 2025: Winners

It might have been expected (considering the climate of modern times): themes about death and rebirth dominated the awards of CEE Animation Forum, the leading regional pitching, financing, and co-production market for European animated projects (4-6 November 2025, Pilsen).

Out of 29 projects selected from 15 countries, four main awards were given for each category (Feature Films, TV Series, Short Films, and Student Films), as well as an Audience Award.

Natalia Krawczuk (Ping Pong, Fences) & Nawojka Wierzbowska won the Feature Animation category with their 'Until Death Unites Us' (producer: Zuzanna Maszka). The 2D animation film tells the story of a woman who dies of boredom in her job. One day, she makes a mistake and turns a dead Grandfather into a “Stuck Soul.” Because of this, Lady Death must stay on Earth and help him. 

In 'Tulip, the winning French-produced film of the TV series category (director: Juli Tudisco), a spiritual rebirth faces the main character. Synopsis: 'When Tulip decides to leave her seem "perfect" but suffocating boyfriend, she gets a first taste of freedom... and she’s completely terrified by it".

Whereas in the short animation category, another Polish film,  'I'm Not Nearly Cool' by Anastazja Naumenko, tells (in 3D) the story of a Slavic Firebird who becomes Ania, breaks free and becomes Ania, a fiery teen in 90s Ukraine.

 
CEE Animation Forum again showcased the incredible line-up with extraordinary market potential. Judging by this year’s selection, the future of European animation looks very bright. As always, we are especially proud to see projects that have grown through our CEE Animation Workshop and Rise and Shine pitching lab, already making strides in their artistic journey -Marta Jallageas, Managing Director of the CEE Animation Forum.

 
The full list of CEE Animation Forum 2025 Awards:

AUDIENCE AWARD
Winner – Tulip, d. Juli Tudisco, p. Valentin Maupin; Avec ou sans Vous (France)

FEATURE FILM CATEGORY

Winner – Until Death Unites Us, d. & s. Nawojka Wierzbowska & Natalia Krawczuk, p. Zuzanna Maszka, GS Animation (Poland)

Jury statement: For the courageous, fresh and authentic approach to traditionally heavy and taboo topics - explored through the disarming power of humor and universally relatable characters; for the strong potential of reaching additional target groups - we award the CEE Animation Forum prize to a dark comedy that will warm hearts all over. 
 
Special Mention – Pink Punk Delta, d. Alba Sotorra, p. Alba Sotorra, Paula G. Cortacans & Juraj Krasnohorsky; ALBA SOTORRA (Spain) Artichoke (Slovakia)
Jury statement: This project has enchanted us with its refreshing watercolor and graffiti street-art aesthetics and its heartfelt story about growing up and finding one’s place in the world. The film is very talkative to its target group and its visual and musical language feels very fresh to the audience. It connects family bonds with a powerful ecological and activist message, all with great tenderness and care. Pink Punk Delta is a touching reminder that true change often begins with imagination, empathy, and the courage to act and that the best vacations are born when we least expect them.

TV SERIES CATEGORY

 Winner – Tulip, d. Juli Tudisco, p. Valentin Maupin; Avec ou sans Vous (France)

Jury statement: We award a series that is sincere, humorous and based on real life experiences. We find it relatable for wide audiences across platforms and media. We appreciate its colourful but sensitive balance in depiction of relationships. We are convinced that young audiences want to see themselves represented in animation. The series universe has great potential for more material and sequels. 

Special Mention – Scope of the Universe, s. Anja Manou Hellem, p. Lillian Løvseth; LØV Film (Norway)
Jury statement: Original, exciting programme for tweens that can bring the audience to take a break from daily hectic life and think for themselves. We appreciate its ambitious visual style and how the show can inspire curiosity in young audiences. 

SHORT FILM CATEGORY

Winner – I’m Not Nearly Cool Yet, d. Anastazja Naumenko, p. Maks Piłasiewicz; Blurred (Poland)

Jury statement: A personal perspective on a social and historical reality developed in an original way. A solid and coherent project where the visuals and film’s essence and the genuine relationship of the director to the subject align seamlessly.
 
Special Mention – The Molepire, d. & s. Marek Cermak, p. Hana Blaha Šilarová & Karolína Fránková; Films & Chips (Czechia) 
Jury statement: A rich and refreshing family comedy about friendship, solidarity, and bravery, engaging kids and adults alike, who will appreciate the story’s depth and layers. The inventive mix of techniques enhance one another, elevating the film’s quality and message.
 

RISING STARS – STUDENT FILM CATEGORY

Winner – Ergot, d. Damjan Lazin, p. Zsuzsanna Vincze; Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (Hungary)
Jury statement: A story inspired by personal memories, presented with a vivid series of images to create a compelling narrative addressing toxic masculinity and the consequences of the desire for control.
 
Special Mention – Reus, d. & p. Ondrej Tesnar, p. Alexandra Chovanová; Tomas Bata University (Czechia)
Jury statement: A strong pitch for a debut film brimming with ambition, with a style and animation that is spot on and full of love for popular action cinema.

Other Awards / Partner Awards 

• CEE Animation Workshop Award: Tulip, d. Juli Tudisco, p. Valentin Maupin; Avec ou sans Vous (France)
• Ciclic Residency: Tense, d. Konrad Hjemli, p. Tonje Skar Reiersen & Lise Fearnley; Mikrofilm (Norway)
• Travelling Distribution Award:
  Lunar Landscape, d. Foivos Chalkiopoulos, p. Louis Kaiser; Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf (Germany)
  Jury statement: For its breathtaking and visually compelling universe, its work of composition on atmosphere and landscaping, its clever multi-point of view storytelling, its universal portrayal of our need for connection and warmth in a desolate world.
  Special Mention – Tense, d. Konrad Hjemli, p. Tonje Skar Reiersen & Lise Fearnley; Mikrofilm (Norway).
  Jury statement: For the simplicity of its concept, for its charming deadpan humor, for its invested attention to craft and cleverly form-specific translation of a physical experience, the special mention goes to Tense.
• Cartoon - direct access
  CARTOON MOVIE – Until Death Unites Us, d. & s. Nawojka Wierzbowska & Natalia Krawczuk, p. Zuzanna Maszka; GS Animation (Poland)
  CARTOON FORUM – Tolo & Bolo, d. & p.Aleksander Matuszewski, s. Szymon Wroblewski, Izabela Smolińska; p. Filmograf (Poland)
• TVPaint – animation license:  Lunar Landscape, d. Foivos Chalkiopoulos, p. Louis Kaiser; Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wol (Germany)
  Jury statement: A film with strong visual identity using intriguing images to develop themes of isolation and disconnection; it builds a singular world and mood, leading to a deeply moving ending.
• Young Horizons Industry - direct access: ​​The Golden Butterfly, d., p. & s. Goce Cvetanovski; Makedonska Krepost (North Macedonia)
• BRATROnice Residency: Reus, d. Ondřej Tešnar, p. Ondřej Tešnar & Alexandra Chovanová; Tomas Bata University, Pirogy Studios (Czechia)

CEE Animation Forum took place in Pilsen from November 4–6, 2025. A total of 50,000 EUR in cash and non-monetary awards were handed out. 

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