We know Estonia
16.8.2023 | Culture

International animation festival begins today in Tallinn

Text Susanna Poikela
Photos Lucija Mrzljakin, Morten Tšinakov, 
Irina Rubina, Wan-Ling Liu

International animation festival begins today in Tallinn"Eeva" by Lucija Mrzljak and Morten Činakov.

 

The four-day-long international animation festival, Animist, will start this evening in Tallinn. During the festival, dozens of Estonian and international animated shorts will be shown at Kino Sõprus and Kinomaja in the city.

This year, 564 films from 65 countries applied for Animist’s competition programme. Of those, 37 of the best films made it to festival’s competition programme. The short animations will compete in five different categories, which are “Justice”, “Untold Story”, “Inner Beast”, “Not That Funny”, “Floating World”. In addition, more than 30 shorts will be shown in festival’s the special programme.

On the last day of the festival (August 19), the winning animations in each competition category will be shown again on the big screen at Kino Sõprus.

This evening at 5 pm, the festival will begin with a talk from respected British illustrator and author Dave McKean, who will discuss his works and answer questions from the audience at the Estonian Children’s Literature Center. McKean has written and illustrated more than 80 award-winning and ground-breaking books.

On Saturday, six of Izabela Plucinska’s best animated films will be shown on the Kinomaja screen. Born in Poland and currently living in Germany, Plucińska has made around thirty films, including her 2005 film “Jam Session”, which won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

You can learn more about the festival and the programme on the official website here. Tickets and festival passes are available at Fienta

 

“What’s love got to do with it” by Irina Rubina.
“The Egret River” by Wan-Ling Liu.

 

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Animated Short Animation Festival Animist Dave McKean Izabela Plucinska Kinomaja Kino Sõprus

15.4.2026 | Culture

Ready for Some Good Sax?

Ready for Some Good Sax?

International saxophone stars will perform in two venues on 2 May in Tallinn. These two venues are Uus Laine … Read more

14.4.2026 | Culture

Finno-Ugric Folktronica Concert in Tartu’s Genklubi

Finno-Ugric Folktronica Concert in Tartu’s Genklubi

Finno-Ugric Folktronica is a one-night music programme taking place at Genialistide Klubi in Tartu, also known locally as Genklubi, … Read more

14.4.2026 | Culture

A Norwegian–Estonian–Finnish Evening of Music

A Norwegian–Estonian–Finnish Evening of Music

This Saturday, 18 April, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, sometimes described as an all-star ensemble of Norwegian musicians and celebrating … Read more

13.4.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

10 April–31 October Consulate of EGS exhibition, Tallinn Works by the internationally renowned Finnish graffiti, contemporary and glass artist … Read more

12.4.2026 | Culture

Iberofest Celebrates Several Countries

Iberofest Celebrates Several Countries

Officially named the Iberoamerican Culture Celebration, but unofficially dubbed Iberofest, this long-running festival will begin in April and extend … Read more

11.4.2026 | Culture

Estonian Music Days Have Begun

Estonian Music Days Have Begun

At the same time as the three-day music programme of Tallinn Music Week reaches its culmination today, Saturday, the … Read more

10.4.2026 | Culture

Comedian Ed Byrne Returns to Tallinn

Comedian Ed Byrne Returns to Tallinn

Ed Byrne is one of the most celebrated comedians in Ireland and the UK, and on 16 April he … Read more

9.4.2026 | Culture

Tartu’s City Centre Is Being Renewed—Little by Little

Tartu’s City Centre Is Being Renewed—Little by Little

Last summer, we reported on the approval of the detailed plan for the large Siuru Cultural Centre to be … Read more