Dear Friends,
We’re excited to welcome you to this year’s Biennial of Animation Bratislava which will be held between 7 – 11 October. I’m filled with a sense of honor and responsibility to address you as the festival’s director, coming from a 4G family of 450+ animations with 50+ awards. For nearly four decades, this festival has been a beacon of creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange, thanks to the tireless efforts of my late mom, Katarina Minichova, the former BAB director whose passion and dedication knew no bounds.
I’m deeply aware of the legacy she left behind, and I’m committed to preserving and expanding upon it. The Biennial of Animation Bratislava is not just an event; it’s a celebration of imagination and a bridge connecting children from all corners of the globe.
We have received over 1,700 film submissions from talented animators worldwide, each one a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of animation. This year’s festival promises to be more inspiring and enriching than ever before.
This festival is not solely about the films we screen or the awards we bestow. It hinges on our collective commitment to fostering an environment of collaboration on behalf of the next generation.
Regardless of our backgrounds or affiliations, let us set aside our differences and come together around our shared goal: to provide our children with the opportunity to experience the wonder of animation, to spark their imagination, and to instill in them a love for the arts.
With gratitude,
Michal Mlcousek
Biennial of Animation Bratislava
The Biennial of Animation Bratislava (BAB) is historically longest festival of animated films in Slovakia. It was founded in 1985 as a part of BIB (The Biennial of Illustration Bratislava), and in 1991 it received international film festival status, primarily focused on children and youth. The festival has been closely cooperating with the UNICEF organization since its origin, and it has been a part of the ECFA (European Children’s Film Association) organization since 2018.
The festival’s mission is to present animated creations while also educating its visitors about this art, be it through a discussion platform—The BAB Industry Forum—or through content that we create with the help of animators from Slovakia.
The festival is organized by BIBIANA, the International House of Art for Children, and is held under the patronage and with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of Slovakia.