Countryside Animafest Cyprus

The Annual Festival “Views of the World” started in 2002 as the first documentary festival of Cyprus in a small village. In 2012 it expanded its scope to include an international competition section. The festival was later re-named Countryside Animafest Cyprus – Views of the World focusing exclusively on the art of Animated Film. The festival’s uniqueness is its setting in the countryside. As audiences, have grown significantly in recent years the festival has moved to different villages to accommodate the large number of spectators. It continues to draw a very diverse audience, from across the social spectrum.

Countryside Animafest Cyprus is the official Cyprus animation Festival. Its aim is to cultivate the art of animation, by raising audience awareness and promoting cultural, financial and social development in the field of independent animation filmmaking. Its various activities throughout the year include the annual Countryside Animafest Cyprus, expert seminars and workshops, academic forums, special screenings, etc. In this way, the festival initiates international collaborations and provides opportunities for artistic growth. The yearly culmination of the ANIMAFEST activities take place every summer, in July, with the official support of the Ministry of Education & Culture and ASIFA Cyprus. It showcases a selection of the world’s latest productions, focusing on independent, non-commercial films that show acute artistic sensibility and originality of idea, story and execution. In addition to the screenings, it includes exhibitions, tributes, masterclasses, animation workshop residency and concerts.

In May 2013 The ASIFA Board approved the foundation of the new ASIFA chapter - ASIFA Cyprus, based on the application made by the artistic director of Animafest Cyprus.