ANIMASYROS, the largest International Animation Festival in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, returns from 21 to 27 September 2026 to the capital of the Cyclades, Ermoupoli, inviting creators from around the world to submit their films by 1 June 2026.
The ANIMASYROS 2026 program includes seven competition sections, special tributes, the Agora -a major reference point for the animation industry in the Eastern Mediterranean- educational workshops, a VR lounge, a rich parallel events program, as well as new international and domestic collaborations.
Main Theme: “200 Years of Ermoupoli”
This year’s central theme is dedicated to “200 Years of Ermoupoli,” marking the anniversary of the city’s naming and founding in 1826, and celebrating the birth of the city of Hermes – both the god of commerce and of intellect. Syros commemorates this milestone throughout the year.
Within this framework, the Festival presents a rich screening program exploring key historical and social transformations that have shaped the modern world, including:
the formation of new cities
migration and mass population movements
the transition from rural to urban societies
industrial and technological development
Focus Country: Ireland
This year’s focus country is Ireland, recognizing the significance of the Irish animation scene, which combines a strong tradition with an impressive contemporary dynamic, ranking among the most creative and exciting in Europe in recent years.
In collaboration with Animation Ireland, a special tribute will be presented featuring feature-length and short animated films by contemporary Irish artists, round tables within the Agora, and a major networking event.
The Agora of ANIMASYROS
The ANIMASYROS Agora -one of the Festival’s most dynamic components- continues its growth by shaping international collaborations through the Pitching Forum.
Presentations, round tables, seminars, masterclasses, networking meetings, speed dating sessions, and work-in-progress showcases offer professionals the opportunity to:
promote their projects
meet industry leaders
discover the international animation community
connect with future success stories
Greek animation continues to hold a central place in the Festival. For the fourth consecutive year in Athens, the summer before the Festival, the Animation Agora Days will take place, a two-day event dedicated to Greek creators.
Educational Program
As every year, ANIMASYROS 2026 features animation workshops for:
families
children and teenagers
young professionals
people with disabilities
and beloved “veterans” (senior citizens)
Inspired by the Festival’s main theme, the workshops will explore the relationship between animation and other arts such as:
literature, poetry, theater, architecture, and dance.
At the end of January, the first Inclusive Cultural Workshop for 2026 took place, dedicated to the 200 years of Ermoupoli, led by Anna Oikonomou in collaboration with:
Documenting Heritage Festival
KDAP MEA of Syros
Little Guides of Syros
with the support of the Greek Ministry of Culture.
Visual Identity of ANIMASYROS 2026
The visual identity of the 19th ANIMASYROS is designed by illustrator, author, and creator of the festival mascot, Petros Christoulias.
Christoulias is an illustrator, comic creator, and writer, a graduate of the Thessaloniki School of Fine Arts. For over 15 years, he has been active in illustration, storytelling, and animation, creating works that bridge literature and visual narrative, with a strong focus on cultural content dissemination.
His awards include:
White Ravens List 2024 Reader’s Award 2025 EBGE Awards Comicdom Awards
He has collaborated with ANIMASYROS since its early years, having designed the Festival’s mascot and consistently contributing to its visual identity.
Speaking about his inspiration, he notes:
“The idea for this year’s use of the ANIMASYROS mascot was to transform it into Hermes, in order to honor the 200 years of Ermoupoli and its historical role as a port and trade hub. I created an image that merges the somewhat transformed appearance of the city with the idea of the character flying among its iconic buildings. In the joyful universe I imagined, Hermes becomes a kind of animator, an ever-moving figure that crosses the city, connects places and people, and activates imagination.”
Call for Submissions
Applications for the competition sections are submitted exclusively via the ANIMASYROS page on FilmFreeway.
Submission deadline: 1 June 2026
The call for the Agora Pitching Forum of ANIMASYROS 2026 will be announced soon.
Co-organizers
Municipality of Syros–Ermoupoli South Aegean Region Cyclades Chamber of Commerce
elc team
