Deanna Morse (left). Signal Film Image 1 by Milan Blazekovic. All images courtesy of Zagreb Animafest 2004.

The Numbers
We faced 1,507 entries in 14 days. I tossed and turned the night before we began, as my brain calculator churned. If we work 10 hours a day… if we give each film 10 minutes, that would be… well, what about 12 hours a day, five minutes a film… These numbers were rattling in my brain. The previous festival had 978 entries -- this was an increase of 50%!

I am an animation artist. I know all too well the time, effort and passion required to make an animation. My goal in selection is to treat every film with the respect that I would want a committee to give my own animation. But those numbers were daunting… films were leaping over a fence, like fluffy cartoon sheep, but not sleepy sheep. (Later, I saw hundreds of films in my dreams… in fast-forward.)

Now, weeks later, I am sleeping fine again. I am proud of the process. We judged the films respectfully and with care. Of course, some people will not agree with our choices. There is skillful work being made by animators around the world. Now, 245 of those titles will be screened at Zagreb. I can promise it will be a dynamic festival experience with engaging, visually stimulating, edgy and challenging work.

Zagreb World Festival of Animated Films: Animafest
The World Festival of Animated Films Zagreb Animafest 2004, is a well-respected festival with a long tradition of supporting independent animation art. Founded in 1972, this biennial festival has survived challenges facing all festivals: funding uncertainties changes in administration, technological changes, plus a terrible war. Through all this, Zagreb Animafest continues to celebrate a singular identity: animation as art. Margit Antauer, also known as Buba, has impressively managed the festival for years. This festival has integrity. It works effectively on budget, and spends the money where it will have impact on filmmakers and festival quality. It is one of six animation festivals for the Academy Awards nominations.

To celebrate its 30-year anniversary, last year the festival published Z is for Zagreb. As a testament to its character, for each year it included plus and minus comments -- always trying to improve.

Signal Film Image 5 by Pavao Stalter.

ZAGREB is one of the few partner festivals with ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation). Founded in Paris in 1960, ASIFA has developed guidelines with festivals to ensure that filmmakers will be treated with respect. In particular, there are rules about the use of the work, return of the films, entry fees and financial support for filmmakers attending the festivals. You can read the current guidelines at www.asifa.net.

More than 200 people involved in animation (filmmakers, students, educators, journalists, and producers) have indicated they are planning to attend Zagreb 2004. If a film was selected for competition, they will receive some subsidy -- meals, hotel and/or some travel reimbursement, based on a formula.