Fest Anca

What Fest Anca does

Fest Anča is a Slovak non-profit cultural organization (operating as ANČA, občianske združenie) that runs the only Oscar® Qualifying international animation film festival in Slovakia. Founded in 2008 by animation students at the Academy of Performing Arts, the festival is held annually in Žilina (19th edition: 30 June–5 July 2026) and received a record 1,823 film submissions from 86 countries for 2026, with 233 films selected for the official program. Beyond the festival window, the organization operates year-round Kino Fest Anča (distribution of curated short-film collections to cinemas, schools, libraries, and cultural centers across Slovakia), Fest Anča EDU (free stop-motion animation workshops for children and youth delivered at schools and Orange Digital Center), and the Student Forum connecting animation students and educators from 17 European universities.

The festival is co-organized with the City of Žilina and operates across multiple repurposed cultural venues (Stanica Žilina-Záriečie, Nová Synagóga, Mestské divadlo, Rosenfeldov palác, Krajská knižnica, Artforum, with UNIZA as a co-organizer). Technology usage is limited to standard tooling: a WordPress-based website (festanca.sk) developed by Studio TEM, MyCinepass for ticketing, SENDINBLUE for newsletters, Google Analytics, and Google/Facebook Ads for remarketing. Accessibility features include Slovak sign language interpretation, descriptive subtitles, and audio description delivered with partners Kino bez bariér, O.Z. Myslím, and ANESP Žilina.

Fest Anča earns revenue through ticket sales and accreditation, corporate sponsorships and partnerships, and government cultural grants from Slovak and international funders (Audiovizuálny fond, Fond LITA, Fond na podporu umenia, Creative Europe MEDIA, International Visegrad Fund) plus foundation support (Nadácia Orange, Nadácia SPP, Fond SK-NIC). The organization has 21 employees, is headquartered in Bratislava at Jelačičova 508/26, and is governed by Festival Director Ivana Sujová. The organization is a founding member of the Animation Festival Network (AFN) since 2020, a signatory to the Green Charter for Film Festivals, and the only Slovak festival offering winners an Academy Awards application pathway.

Name

Fest Anca

Legal name

ANČA, občianske združenie

Website

https://festanca.sk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fest Anča is a Slovak non-profit operating the only Oscar® Qualifying international animation film festival in Slovakia, with year-round film distribution, educational workshops, and a 17-university European Student Forum. It serves filmmakers, educators, students, and animation audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival Services

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts & Culture Community Festivals (Multidisciplinary Arts Weeks) (MPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training, Workshops & Certification Events (MPAGAGAJ), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG)

Keywords

• International animation festival
• Animated film distribution
• Animation education workshops
• Film submission platform
• Cultural event programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Bratislava

HQ country

Slovakia

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales and accreditation: Revenue from selling tickets to festival screenings and accreditation passes for professionals, industry attendees, and media.
2. Sponsorship and partnerships: Financial and in-kind support from sponsors and partners including media partners, venue partners, government cultural funds, and corporate sponsors.
3. Government cultural grants: Funding from Slovak government bodies including Audiovizuálny fond, Fond LITA, Fond na podporu umenia, and international sources such as Creative Europe MEDIA and International Visegrad Fund.
4. Kino Fest Anča distribution: Year-round film distribution of winning films and curated collections (Best of Fest Anča, children's films) to cinemas, cultural spaces, schools, and libraries across Slovakia in digital format.
5. Fest Anča EDU workshops: Free educational workshops on stop-motion animation for children and youth, supported by foundation funding from Nadácia Orange and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fest Anča is a non-profit cultural organization that produces an annual international animation film festival in Žilina, Slovakia, featuring competitive screenings, retrospectives, industry events, and accompanying programs. Beyond the annual event, it operates year-round Kino Fest Anča film distribution (curated short film collections licensed to Slovak cinemas, schools, and libraries), Fest Anča EDU stop-motion animation workshops for children and youth, and the Študentské fórum connecting animation students and educators across 17 European universities.

Product overview

Fest Anča operates as a festival-centered organization offering a portfolio of related products: the annual International Animation Festival (the core product, currently in its 19th edition), year-round Kino Fest Anča film distribution, Fest Anča EDU educational workshops under the 'Animuj s Fest Ančou' brand, and the Študentské fórum platform for animation students. All offerings center on animation film presentation, education, and community building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kino Fest Anča: Year-round film screening activity that offers collections of animated short films for organizations to screen throughout the year.
• Fest Anča EDU
• Student Forum Fest Anča

Products and services

• Fest Anča International Animation Festival Annual international animation film festival held in Žilina, Slovakia, featuring competitive screenings, retrospectives, themed programming, industry events, and accompanying programs. The only Slovak Oscar Qualifying Festival since 2023, allowing Anča Award winners in main and Slovak categories to automatically apply for Academy Awards.
• Kino Fest Anča Year-round film distribution service offering curated collections of animated short films to cinemas, cultural spaces, schools, and libraries across Slovakia. Films are provided as digital .mp4 files with Slovak subtitles or without dialogue.
• Fest Anča EDU Educational project combining animated film screenings with practical stop-motion animation workshops for children and youth, delivered across Slovakia at schools, community centers, libraries, family centers, and Orange Digital Center Bratislava. Free to participants, supported by foundation funding.
• Študentské fórum (Student Forum) International platform connecting animation students and educators from 17 European universities. Annual forum featuring discussions, presentations, case studies, and networking activities. New members joining in 2026 include Academy of Fine Arts Krakow and KASK & Conservatorium Ghent.
• V4 Student Forum Regional edition of the Student Forum focusing on Visegrad Group countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia), part of Animation Festival Network (AFN) Edu activities.
• Slovak Industry Day Annual industry event within the festival providing a platform for Slovak animation professionals - animators, directors, producers, VFX artists, and game artists - to present projects and discuss topics like animation hybridity. Open to accredited professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1823 films submitted from 86 countries (record for 2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Academy of Fine Arts KrakowminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New member joining AFN Student Forum platform in 2026, bringing Polish animation education to the network.
• KASK & Conservatorium GhentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New member joining AFN Student Forum platform in 2026, bringing Belgian animation education to the network.
• Animation Festival Network (AFN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Fest Anča is a founding member of Animation Festival Network (AFN), a unique network of animation film festivals in Europe. AFN Edu activities include the Student Forum platform.
• Green Charter for Film FestivalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFest Anča signed the Green Charter for Film Festivals, committing to report environmental impact and pursue continuous sustainability improvement.
• Mesto ŽilinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer providing support as the host city for the annual festival.
• Stanica Žilina-ZáriečiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer and primary festival venue - cultural center in a repurposed train station.
• Nová Synagóga ŽilinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer and festival venue - historic synagogue building used for screenings and events.
• Mestské divadlo ŽilinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer and festival venue - City Theatre used for screenings and closing ceremony.
• Žilinská univerzita v Žiline (UNIZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer and venue for Student Forum activities.
• Kino bez bariérminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization for barrier-free cinema - partner for inclusive programming with accessibility features.
• O.Z. MyslímminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter of Deaf culture - partner for accessibility and inclusive programming.
• IPčkominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrisis helpline organization providing psychological support resources for festival attendees.
• ANESP ŽilinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for accessibility services.
• Keep FestiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective initiative against sexual harassment helping festival organizers create safer spaces.
• Slovenský filmový ústavminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovak Film Institute - partner for film preservation and screenings of Slovak animation heritage.
• Francúzsky inštitút v BratislaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench Institute - partner providing promotional support and cultural exchange.
• Poľský inštitút v BratislaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPolish Institute - partner providing promotional support and cultural exchange.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights13 records

Direct peers

• Zagreb World Festival of Animated Films (Animafest): One of the oldest and most prestigious animation festivals globally, held annually in Zagreb, Croatia. Directly comparable as a Central European animation festival with international competition, awards, and educational programming targeting adult audiences.
• Hiroshima International Animation Festival: Biennial international animation festival held in Hiroshima, Japan, sanctioned by ASIFA. Comparable to Fest Anča as a competitive international animation festival with curated programming, awards, and an emphasis on artistic short animation.
• Anim'est International Animation Film Festival: Romanian international animation festival held annually in Bucharest. Directly comparable as a Central/Eastern European animation festival with international competition, awards, and an emphasis on auteur and adult-oriented animated work.
• Annecy International Animation Film Festival: The world's premier international animation film festival held annually in Annecy, France. Directly comparable to Fest Anča as a competitive animation festival featuring international submissions, an official selection, awards, and a year-round animation community; however, Annecy operates at significantly larger scale.
• Animateka International Animated Film Festival: Slovenian international animation festival featuring competitive screenings, retrospectives, and educational programs. Highly comparable to Fest Anča in scope, geography (neighboring Central European country), adult-focused programming, and AFN/educational programming overlap.
• Ottawa International Animation Festival: North America's largest animation festival, held annually in Ottawa, Canada. Directly comparable as a competitive international animation festival with international submissions, awards, industry programming, and a focus on independent animated shorts.
• Anifilm International Festival of Animated Films: Czech international animation festival held annually in Liberec. Directly comparable as a Central European animation festival with international competition, awards, retrospectives, and educational programming.

Others

• Animation Festival Network (AFN): European network of animation film festivals of which Fest Anča is a founding member. Not a direct competitor but an institutional peer and ecosystem partner coordinating programming, education, and co-funding across European animation festivals.

Emerging players

• GLAS Animation Festival: Smaller-scale US-based animation festival held in Berkeley, California, focused on independent and experimental animation. Comparable in editorial focus (independent, artistic animation) but operates at significantly smaller scale and in a different geography.

Regional players

• Art Film Fest: Slovak international film festival held annually in Trenčianske Teplice. Operates the MyCinepass ticketing platform that Fest Anča uses; comparable as a domestic Slovak festival but with a broader (live-action and animated) film programming scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fest-anca

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fest Anca