The diploma competition line-up included Anna Tőkés’s multiple award‑winning diploma project The Last Drop, which received much critical acclaim. Set in the world of rhythmic gymnastics, the short film follows a young athlete as it explores the hidden toll of elite sport – from the extreme physical and emotional strain to the struggle of holding on to one’s sense of self. A former national athlete herself, Tőkés aims to spark a dialogue around a topic that is difficult but affects many. Produced by MOME Anim with support from the National Film Institute, the film has already received awards in Sarajevo, Stuttgart, at Fresh Meet and at the Kecskemét Animation Film Festival (KAFF). 

Another MOME alumnus, Péter Vácz, premiered his new short Dog Ear in the official short film competition. The story centres on Berci, a boy who returns home from school to find signs of a conflict between his parents, triggering a release of long-suppressed emotions. He channels his anger and confusion into a series of emotionally charged interactions with his dog that has run into their flat. The sense of timelessness of that rare afternoon and the dog’s presence help Berci experience the transformative power of forgiveness. The film was made by Filmfabriq, with Gábor Osváth as its producer, and supported by the NFI. 

Thanks to Hungary's role as guest of honour, the audience was introduced to some of the most original and distinctive voices in Hungarian animation, including a special retrospective selection of MOME Anim graduation films from recent years.  The line-up featured Take Me Please by Olivér Hegyi, Bye, Little Block! by Éva Darabos, Above the Clouds by Vivien Hárshegyi, From the Corner of My Eye by Domonkos Erhardt, Fox Tossing by Kristóf Zénó Mira, I'm Simon by Tünde Molnár, Rabbit and Deer by Péter Vácz and Attila Bertóti, and Party by Dániel Bárány. 

MOME alumni – Zsuzsanna Kreif and Borbála Zétényi (Limbo Limbo Travel), Luca Tóth (Superbia), Anna Katalin Lovrity (Volcano Island), Viktória Traub (Mermaids and Rhinos), Flóra Anna Buda (27), and Nadja Andrasev (The Noise of Licking and Symbiosis) – were also featured in the Female Directors  section, which also included three graduation films.  

The Videoclips Showcase screened Hungarian animated music videos, exploring the relationship between moving image and music in Hungarian visual culture, with a spotlight on the visual language of young artists. The selection included works by several MOME alumni, such as Mornings in the Bathtub (Péterfy Bori & Lovasi András), Sunwalk by Amorf Lovagok (animated by László Csáki), Cactus (Bioebber) by Zsuzsanna Krief, All I’m Saying (James) by Péter Vácz, and Illuminair (Middlemist Red) animated by Soma Nové. 

The Annecy Dome programme showcased the House of Music Hungary’s interactive sound dome installations, which combined Hungarian musical traditions with experimental sound-based animation. The immersive 360-degree works on display were the result of a multi-year collaboration between MOME and House of Music Hungary. Other highlights included Bad Trip, a 2024 fulldome graduation film by Emese Pálovics, which won the Best Emerging Artist award at the Best of Earth Awards Show. 

Paying tribute to 111 years of Hungarian animation, the ‘Hunimation Hits the Streets’ programme transformed Annecy into a living storyboard, based on a concept by Dániel Huszár, by bringing classic and contemporary animated characters – including artworks by Réka Bucsi, Péter Vácz, Luca Tóth, and Balázs Turai – into public spaces. With the help of a specially designed map, visitors could explore the city-wide installation, encountering classic and contemporary animated characters such as iconic figures from Vuk, Cat City, and Hungarian Folk Tales. 

The festival featured a range of professional events where the international animation community came together to share knowledge, discuss new projects, and collaborate. 

The Hungarian Pitch Session, titled Spicing up Animation!, stood out for showcasing five MOME-related projects to an international audience:  Tulip by MOME alumna Júlia Tudisco, Three Wishes (SALTO) by Katalin Glaser (DLA), Witches’ Sabbath (Boddah) by alumna Réka Anna Szakály, Ergot by MA student Damján Lazin, and a children’s series pitched by MOME alumnus and CUB Animation producer Bálint Gelley. 

The Production Power Panel explored the current landscape of the Hungarian animation industry, including its challenges and opportunities. Representing MOME, Head of the Centre for Film Dr Zsuzsanna Vincze gave an overview of animation education in Hungary. 

 Supported by GEECT (European Grouping of Film and Television Schools), a professional day organised by MOME focused on the role of artificial intelligence in animation education, under the title Danger or Opportunity? – AI in Animation Education. The networking event for animation schools opened with talks by Dr Zsuzsanna Vincze and Head of Training at the National Film Institute Eszter Lányi, who introduced the Hungarian animation industry and its educational background, followed by a keynote from Zoltán Batho G. (BUas/Cradle), who discussed the transformative impact of AI on animation pedagogy.   The panel discussion brought together representatives from higher education, the arts, and the animation industry to examine the challenges and opportunities posed by AI, with a particular focus on how creativity and artistic integrity can be preserved in talent development. Speakers included Balázs Kerek (DIGIC Pictures, Hungary), acclaimed visual artist and Animation Workshop instructor Uri Kranot (Denmark), and João Real from the RE:Anima European Joint Master in Animation. The event drew nearly fifty participants from 24 universities in 16 countries, along with representatives from cultural institutions, embassies, and professional organisations, highlighting the growing importance of international dialogue on the ethical and educational implications of AI in film and media education.  

MOME students and staff were on hand at the university’s booth at the MIFA market, where they introduced visitors to the institution’s work and educational approach, and answered questions from professionals and festivalgoers alike.  

Hungary’s presence at this year’s festival was the result of unprecedented collaboration with over 120 professionals from Hungary attending the festival, including 45 MOME students.    

The patron of this year’s MIFA market was MOME alumnus Áron Gauder, winner of the 2023 Annecy Jury Award, who also held a masterclass sharing the creative process behind Four Souls of Coyote.     

MOME alumna Luca Tóth was invited to design the official artwork for this year’s WIA World Summit (Women in Animation), held as part of the Annecy Festival – a role the organisers were keen to entrust to a Hungarian artist in light of this year’s special focus.  

As part of the Paris – Lyon – Singapore Invite Hungary programme, Head of BA programme Orsolya Sipos presented international collaborations involving Hungarian participants, including MOME, aimed at strengthening cross-border creative partnerships.  

Two MOME alumni also served on the official juries: Réka Bucsi judged the diploma film competition, while Nadja Andrasev joined the Contrechamp feature film jury. Two MOME ANIM students, Emma Nyári and Máté Horesnyi were members of the student jury.  

Closely linked to the Annecy showcase, the first English-language platform for Hungarian animation, Hunimation.com, was launched. The platform’s visual identity was designed by MOME alumna Mirjana Balogh, who won the Crystal Bear at the 2024 Berlinale. Hunimation aims to present the diversity of the Hungarian animation community and foster international exchange. The platform was created in connection with Hungary’s guest of honour appearance in Annecy and will be regularly updated and maintained as a long-term initiative under the professional guidance of the MOME Centre for Film. 

Over the past decade, MOME ANIM has grown into one of the leading animation schools in the region. Its award-winning student films, internationally connected educational programmes, and postgraduate projects have made a lasting impact not just in Hungary, but across the global animation scene. This year’s participation in Annecy further strengthens its reputation as a key force in contemporary animation.