‘Dog Alone’ Tops Anibar’s International Competition, ‘How’ Wins Best Balkan Title

Kosovo’s 16th Anibar International Animation Festival concluded on July 20, following a dynamic week showcasing the power of animated storytelling. This year’s festival centered on the theme WTF – What’s the Future?, prompting attendees to reflect on pressing contemporary questions through animated narratives.

The festival featured a broad spectrum of works in seven competitive categories: International, Balkan, Student, Pitch It!, Human Rights, Animated Music Videos, and Young Audience. These entries were judged by specialized juries consisting of international filmmakers, artists, producers, and local young creators.

Emerging talents and industry veterans alike were honored for stories that resonated emotionally and intellectually. The top prize in the International competition went to “Dog Alone” by Marta Reis Andrade, a film exploring isolation and human connection. Other highlights included the Balkan winner “How” by Marko Mestrovic, and the Human Rights winner “Romina” by Bee Grandinetti, telling the real-life story of a teenage girl navigating restrictive laws on abortion.

Anibar also provided platforms for student animators and project developers through its Student and Pitch It! competitions, reinforcing its commitment to supporting emerging voices in animation.

2025 Anibar Festival Winners

International Competition

• Dog Alone, Marta Reis Andrade (Portugal)
• Special Mention: Dollhouse Elephant, Jenny Jokela (Finland)

Balkan Competition

• How, Marko Mestrovic (Croatia)

Student Competition

• Children of the Bird, Julia Tudisco (Italy)
• Special Mention: The Eating of an Orange, May Kindred-Boothby (U.K.)
• Special Mention: Poppy Flowers, Evridiki Papaiakovou (Greece)

Pitch It! Program

• I Still Haven’t Cried, Flaka Kokolli (Kosova)
• Transporting Woman, Verica Tenekedjieva (North Macedonia)
• The Last Bookstore in the World, Katarina Zaharijev & Marija Maletić (Serbia)

Human Rights Competition

• Romina, Bee Grandinetti (Brazil)
• Special Mention: Cimarron, Rémi Vandenitte & Cédric Bourgeois (Belgium)

Animated Music Videos

• Coldplay – feelslikeimfallinginlove, Raman Djafari (Germany)
• Special Mention: Bob Dylan’s Big Dick, Chris Lambourne (U.K.)

Young Audience Competition

• Down in the Dumps, Vera van Wolferen (Netherlands)
• Special Mention: The Legend of the Hummingbird, Morgan Devos (France)