70 Years of Greek Animation

The creative journey of Greek Animation numbers seventy years, having produced a remarkable body of work in almost all techniques, categories and film genres, winning major awards and distinctions at festivals and competitions in Greece and internationally. The story of animation began in Greece in 1942, during the German occupation, with the filmIl Duce Narrates, which was drawn by the cartoonist Stamatis Polenakis in his island home of Sifnos. It was screened in 1945, following the country’s liberation. In this anti-fascist satire, Benito Mussolini is shown using lies to cover up his defeat by the Greeks in World War II. The program selected for the Festival comprises a panorama of 40 short films which covers 70 years of Greek animation, clearly illustrating the evolutionary path andmaturation of the aesthetic and thematic pursuits of Greek animation artists, as well as the improvements of the technicalmeans used to express them. Over these 70 years,much has changed for the better and the achievements of animation filmmakers and producers, as well as the achievements of education, are most impressive for such a small country. The only thing that has not been accomplished is for Greek animation to find its place in the world market of television, film theaters and video games. Such an accomplishment would contribute decisively to the enhancement of the national economy, to an increase in jobs, to a decrease in emigration and to the broader dissemination of Greek culture. We believe that this anniversary will constitute a landmark and create a new beginning – in terms of mentality – for achieving even the most difficult goal!

Angelos Rouvas
Administrator ASIFA HELLAS