Animest and Animation Festival Network (AFN) proudly celebrates the achievements of the Sisterhood of Young Animation Auteurs. As the animation world gathers in France for the most important industry event of the year, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, we’re proud to see such talented voices from our SYAA community making their mark across the official selections, pitches, and co-productions.

Iulia Teodora Turicianu, a participant in the 2024 SYAA edition, will premiere her short film Triassic Cuddle in the official competition for student films (Graduation Films 2, Monday 9 June, 20:30, Bonlieu). This selection is not only a milestone for her, but also for UNATC Bucharest, as she is just the second student from the university to be featured in this highly competitive section (after Alina Gheorghe, also a SYAA alumn).

Mary Yanko, from the same 2024 cohort, has been selected to pitch her animated documentary Kateryna, produced by Miyu Productions, as part of the MIFA Pitches – a highly regarded platform for promising works in development. Her pitch is scheduled for 12 June, 10:30 in Salle de la Volière, Impèrial Palace.

Anna Florea, from SYAA 2021, will present her new short film project On the Balcony of a House during the Focus on the Black Sea Region showcase, happening 12 June at 14:15 in the Berlioz Room of Impèrial Palace. Her presence highlights the strength and diversity of emerging animation voices from the region.

Patricia Ortiz (SYAA 2023) joins the Annecy lineup as art director, production designer, and puppet-maker for the stop-motion feature Tales from the Magic Garden, a co-production between the Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Michaela 𝐑𝐞𝐳̌𝐨𝐯𝐚́ (SYAA 2023) is attending Annecy as the producer of Through the Eyes of Franz Kafka: Between Image and Language, a commissioned short for the international Kafka exhibition, directed by Hanna Palamarchuk.

SYAA is a creative workshop supporting emerging female animation filmmakers from Romania, Rep. Moldova, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czechia and Ukraine. 

A project by Animest, co-organized with the Animation Festival Network and co-financed by Eurimages and Creative Europe MEDIA, SYAA offers participants a safe space for artistic development, professional guidance, and lasting creative bonds. The next edition will take place in March 2026, with the call for applications opening early next year.

The Animation Festival Network will be present at Annecy throughout the MIFA Market (10–13 June), at Imperial Palace, booth 07. Come say hello!