Identity
ANIMASYROS International Animation Festival is the largest festival of its kind in Greece and among the largest in Europe. It takes place annually on the island of Syros, in the capital of the Cyclades, creating a meeting point where contemporary animation, culture, and island life come together.
Since its launch on 19 September 2008, ANIMASYROS has welcomed a steadily growing audience and has evolved into a multi-layered event: screenings, talks, workshops, and professional activities unfold across Hermoupolis, connecting local character with an international creative community.
Mission & Vision
ANIMASYROS International Animation Festival is dedicated to the promotion of animation as a contemporary art form, a powerful storytelling medium, and a vital cultural industry.
Its mission is to expand audiences for animation, support creators at all stages of their careers, and strengthen professional exchange across Europe and beyond. ANIMASYROS envisions animation as a space of dialogueâbetween art and industry, education and innovation, local communities and international networksâfostering creativity, diversity, inclusion, and critical thinking.
ANIMASYROS is organised by the non-profit civil company PLATFORMA â Urban Culture
Company, with the mission of promoting the art of animation to broad audiences while
fostering a dynamic hub for meeting, exchange, and networking among animation artists and professionals at a European and international level.
History of the Festival
Founded in 2008 on the island of Syros, ANIMASYROS has grown into the largest International Animation Festival in Greece and one of the most significant in Europe. Since its inception, the Festival has taken place every September in the capital of the Cyclades, welcoming more than 120,000 unique visitors to date.
Over the years, ANIMASYROS has evolved into a multi-layered cultural platform, consistently expanding its international reach, educational role, and professional dimension, while remaining deeply connected to its local context and community.
Festival Structure & Key Sections
The Festival is structured around three core pillars:
Artistic Programme
An extensive programme of international, European, and Greek animation films, including 7 competition sections, tributes, thematic sections, and special screenings, reflecting the diversity of contemporary animation aesthetics, techniques, and narratives.
Educational Programmes
A comprehensive educational framework addressing children, teenagers, students, educators, professionals, seniors, and people with disabilities. Through workshops, masterclasses, talks, and film education activities, ANIMASYROS promotes media literacy, creative expression, and inclusive participation.
Agora (Industry Platform)
The Agora is ANIMASYROSâ professional hub, bringing together creators, producers, commissioners, broadcasters, festivals, and institutions. It includes pitching forums, networking events, presentations, and industry talks, supporting professional development, co-production, and international collaboration.
These pillars are complemented by parallel events such as exhibitions, concerts, live performances, and parties, enhancing the Festivalâs interdisciplinary and celebratory character.
Syros Island & Venues
ANIMASYROS takes place on the island of Syros, primarily in Hermoupolis, a city of strong architectural identity and cultural heritage.
Festival venues include the emplematic Apollon Theatre (https://apollontheater.gr/), the Hermoupolis Cultural Center, and, open-air locations, and public spaces, creating a vibrant dialogue between animation, urban landscape, and everyday life. The island setting contributes decisively to the Festivalâs atmosphere, offering a unique meeting point for creators, professionals, and audiences from Greece and abroad.
Environmental Sustainability & Accessibility
ANIMASYROS is committed to environmentally responsible practices and continuously works to reduce its ecological footprint through sustainable production methods, responsible resource management, and awareness-raising actions integrated into its programming and operations.
At the same time, accessibility and inclusion are core values of the festival. ANIMASYROS actively develops initiatives ensuring access for people with disabilities, including accessible screenings, inclusive workshops, tailored educational activities, and collaboration with specialised partners. The festival aims to be a welcoming, open, and safe space for all, promoting equal participation in cultural life.