“Animation is the only really free art, born in the 20th century. Its future is the brightest one,” – words of globally recognized and famous Hungarian animator John Halas at the 1979 unveiling of the first World Festival of Animated Film in Varna, Bulgaria. The following 5 editions took place once every 2 years with extreme interest and international recognition. Thanks to the festival Varna turned into one of the capitals of world animations, alongside Annecy, Zagreb, Ottawa and Hiroshima. After the 1989 democratic changes in Bulgaria the Varna festival interrupted its history up until 2011, when the long-years efforts of famous Bulgarian animators, headed by Anri Kulev turned successful – the 7th edition of the fest was unveiled after 22 years. The anniversary 10th edition takes place this year. In the period September 10 – 14 Varna is once again under the spell of the moving pictures, says Anri Kulev in an interview for RB:

“Everything, created in the world of cartoons around the globe last year, is now in Varna. We received more than 800 movies for selection, a committee picked up 87 of those from 34 countries, divided in 5 categories. So, the contest program itself is one of the accents this year. The prestigious international jury is the other very interesting thing, which will also show a retrospective of its work. Prof. Ivan Veselinov is with the jury – a Bulgarian author, a great painter and an experienced director. Also, Jean-Luck Slock from Belgium – his studio is an expert in children’s animation workshops in Europe, Africa and across the globe. Jean-Luc did something magnificent over the past year – he created a cartoon together with blind children. Mikhail Aldashin from Russia comes next, followed by great French author Florence Miailhe – a tutor in animation, a really good and energetic artist. Then, finally, Prof. Otto Alder from Switzerland, who also teaches the subject besides being a critic too. At the festival he presents a documentary entitled The Spirit Of Genius: Feodor Khitruk."

The opening of the festival was accompanied by the presentation of two exhibitions. The first one reveals the art of Czech master animator Jan Švankmajer at Varna’s city gallery. A cartoon display is a guest for a 4th year in a row. This time it is Spiro – Hero with 5 Stars, exhibited at the lobby of the Festival and Congress center. Its presence is thanks to the Delegation Wallonia – Brussels.

The big student meetings are traditionally part of the festival. Three specialized lectures have been prepared for professionals and amateurs, led by foreign guest lecturers. There will be a presentation of 7 animation universities from 6 countries, New Bulgarian University and NATFIZ (Bulgaria’s National Academy for Theater and Film Art) among others. A special screening will gather the best of the 10 Days X 10 Films international student short movie project. Once again there will be animation workshops for the kids, Anri Kulev says.

“A group of students from New Bulgarian University started to work with the children, along with our friends from the kid’s corner. They create a very interesting show in a special tent that circulated the major neighborhoods of Varna, making the kids start drawing and thinking as animators. For three days now we have been working with the kids’ corner of the Marine Garden, where the youngest ones create real animation films. We have envisaged rewards and their movies will be screened. One of the goals of the festival is to get the kids back to the hall and to teach them how to create art.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev