The dates of major renovations of the oldest Zagreb Film building, where the original Zagreb team made history.

While walking the creaking wooden floors of this building, Demonja unveils another project: "Yes, this building will be renovated. We have already started." He then takes me to the screening room and describes his plan for a new 100 seat theater with Dolby Digital sound, which will be an art cinema and present special screenings in association with ASIFA's very active local chapter. Currently in conjunction with ASIFA, public animation screenings are being held, but with this new theater, and a museum, which is also in the planning stages, an animation center will be created. Not only a fitting spot for such a facility, paying homage to the past, but also to increase awareness of animation and promote it among the public. Behind the building, in a nice shaded grassy yard, a meeting place will be built, complete with snacks and refreshments, so that the venue will be fitting for all sorts of public events. Vesna Dovnikovic helms the local ASIFA chapter, serves as vice president on the ASIFA International board and is also providing Demonja with consulting services regarding the rejuvenation of the studio. "She has been a great help," he says.

With all this taking momentum, Demonja's goals remain clear cut. The studio currently employs 32 full-time employees that are working on a television co-production, several commercials and art films. In 2002, nine short films will have been made and numerous commercials. Many of these commercials are for the biggest Croatian companies, selling such staples as fruit juice and milk. The television series co-production, Lilos Lesewelt, is with the Austrian company Helbling and is a series of 26 X 5-minute episodes teaching pre-schoolers German. A crew of twelve is currently working on the series, which is on episode number 16. All production steps are done in-house using Toonz and editing is done on a Matrox DigiSuite system.

"I want everyone to know that Zagreb Film is alive!" he finishes, standing in front of the first, original building. "It is going to take some work, but we have a lot of directions to take and a lot to work with."

Four artists at work on Zagreb Film's current television production.	While a lot of the studio's editorial equipment was in use at the festival, editing continued.
Digital ink and paint at Zagreb Film.	A stop-motion set being used for the short film Iskupljenje (Redemption), by Davor Medurecan.

Special thanks to Zdravko Virovec, a Zagreb Film animator/director, for driving me on my tour and fearlessly double parking in the narrow streets of Zagreb!

Heather Kenyon is editor in chief of Animation World Network. After graduating magna cum laude with a BFA from the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television, Heather began her career in animation at Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, where she became manager of the Production Communications department. She has contributed a chapter to the book, Animation in Asia published by John Libbey & Company, Ltd. Heather is also vice president of Women In Animation International and on the Board of Trustees of Trees for Life.