SYAA 2025 Participants

We are thrilled to announce the 11 participants of the 5th edition of SYAA in Bucharest this spring!

After an intense jury process, in which our esteemed mentors and festival organizers carefully reviewed 71 applications from Romania, Moldova, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, we have selected 11 outstanding projects that will benefit from an extensive support system throughout the 7-day workshop. 

This year’s selected female artists are: Adina Oana Enache (RO), Alexandra Dzhiganskaya (UA), Irina Sava (RO), Iryna Babanina (UA), Karla Kasalo (HR), Karolina Pravdova (CZ), Mirela Raicu (RO), Polina Piddubna (UA), Sophia Stoyanova (BG), Zlatelina Tsokova (BG), and Zuzana Hodulová (CZ).

The key objective of the program is to empower female artists by helping them develop their projects while gaining valuable insights into the animation industry. Over the course of seven days, renowned mentors and speakers from across Europe will guide participants through an intensive learning experience, sharing behind-the-scenes knowledge, practical tools, and industry secrets. Through this support network, the selected artists will refine their ideas, strengthen their creative vision, and take significant steps toward bringing their projects to life.

The workshops and presentations will be led by an exceptional lineup of industry professionals, including Katarzyna Gromadzka (producer, Poland/Spain), Raluca Mănescu (screenwriter, Romania), Anastasiya Verlinska (Linoleum Program Director, Ukraine), Chris Robinson (Artistic Director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival), Michaela Mihalyi (animator/director, Slovakia), and Damian Groves (director/producer, UK/Romania). This list continues to grow, promising even more valuable insights and expertise.

For more details about the Sisterhood of Young Animation Auteurs, visit the program’s website: syaa.animest.ro.