International Children's Animation Festival in Burgas

Animation takes over Burgas: The fourth edition of the International Children"s Festival opens its doors

The port city of Burgas is once again becoming the capital of children"s animation. For the fourth consecutive year, between September 25 and 27, 2025, the city will host the International Children"s Animation Festival. The event promises to immerse its youngest guests in the world of animated cinema with a curated collection of films from around the world, while also offering children a unique opportunity to transform from viewers into creators.

The festival, which is part of the city"s efforts to support its bid for European Capital of Culture in 2032, will kick off with an opening ceremony. The official screening is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m., in the "Toncho Rusev" Hall of the NHC Community Center. Immediately following the ceremony, the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the specially selected film for the event – the Brazilian animation "Clarice"s Fantasy". Created by directors Guto Bicalho and Fernando Gutierrez, the film tells the story of a clever young girl who deals with the great loss of her mother. While traveling with her father on their cart, Clarice uses her rich imagination to create a magical world full of adventures. It is through these fantasies that the heroine finds a way to live with both the absence of her mother and the memories of her.

Program and creative workshops

On the days following the opening, the festival program will move to Hall 2 of the "Flora" Exhibition Center. The focus this year is once again on the free animation workshops, designed for all young enthusiasts aged 7 to 15.

On Friday, September 26, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., as well as on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., participants will be divided into two groups. Under the expert guidance of the renowned directors and animators Anton Zhekоv and Kristiyan Zahariey, they will have the opportunity to create their own short animated miniatures. These works will be inspired by the children"s own drawings and will come to life on the big screen.

The culmination of the young animators" creative work will be at the official closing of the festival on Saturday, September 27, at 5:00 p.m. Before that, at 4:00 p.m., the public will have the chance to see a selection of six short animated films by international artists. The screenings will showcase the diversity of animation techniques, including 3D, 2D, cutout, and mixed media animation. Among the films in the program are:

• "The Smurfs Season 3 – The Road to the Stars" from Belgium
• "I Found a Box" from France
• "The Magic Portal" from Belgium
• "Wishes: Windows and Nests" from Australia and Colombia
• "Monster" from Germany
• "Nryut_q_ from Germany

The event, which is held with the financial support of the Municipality of Burgas, has free admission for all who wish to immerse themselves in the world of art that paints and tells stories.