The Community of Madrid will commemorate World Animation Day with a program combining conferences, screenings, and roundtables from October 26 to 29. The event will bring together national and international professionals from the sector and will feature figures such as Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón and Pablo Berger.
The anniversary commemorates the first public screening of Émile Reynaud's Théâtre optique, held at the Musée Grévin in Paris in 1892, which is considered a direct precursor to animated film. Each year, various institutions use this date to give visibility to this audiovisual sector and bring new generations of creators closer to established industry leaders.
The Madrid program is particularly relevant this year as it includes sessions on the Annecy Festival, one of the most influential animation film events internationally, as well as recognition for Spanish productions that have stood out at that festival.
Venues and program organization
Activities will be split between the Spanish Film Academy and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, both in Madrid. Over the four days, there will be meetings with professionals from different areas of animation, from direction and production to visual effects.
Kick-off with Annecy and international voices
The program opens on October 26 at the Film Academy with a series of meetings and conferences. Participants include Hisko Hulsing, director of the short film Danse macabre; Japanese producer Eiko Tanaka; Carlos Tschuschke of Able & Baker; Lorena Booth of Studio 100 Film; and Sergio Pablos, head of The SPA Studios.
The opening day will conclude with a screening of a selection of the best works presented at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the most important showcases for the genre worldwide.
Distribution, film, and gender perspective
On Tuesday, October 27, back at the Film Academy, the focus will shift to industrial issues and historical context. A session on film distribution in the US market is planned, as well as one dedicated to the history of women in animation, and a screening of the feature film La violinista.
Dual venue to discuss creation and visual effects
On Wednesday, October 28, activities will be divided between the two venues. At the Film Academy, speakers will include Raúl Rocha, producer of the short film El fantasma de la Quinta; Enrique Gato of Lightbox Animation Studios and creator of the Tadeo Jones saga; Raúl García and Paloma Mora of TV On Producciones, the team behind La violinista; and Andrés Bedate, who will explain the creative process behind the visual effects for the series Stranger Things.
Simultaneously, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando will host a session focused on the creation of the film Decorado, which was distinguished with the Paul Grimault award at the 2026 Annecy Festival. The meeting will be moderated by academic and filmmaker Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón.
Closing with La violinista and Pablo Berger
The program will conclude on Thursday, October 29, at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando with another screening of La violinista. The film will be followed by a discussion featuring its co-director, Raúl García, and filmmaker Pablo Berger.
A meeting between emerging talent and established figures
The program is designed to build bridges between established professionals and new generations of animation creators. The combination of technical conferences, screenings, and discussions allows for addressing both the artistic side and the industrial and distribution aspects of the sector, at a time when Spanish animation is gaining international prominence thanks to recognition such as that obtained by Decorado at Annecy 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Animation Day?
It is an international commemoration that recalls the first public screening of Émile Reynaud's Théâtre optique, held at the Musée Grévin in Paris in 1892, a milestone considered a precursor to animated film.
When are the activities held in Madrid?
The program runs from October 26 to 29, 2026.
Where do the events take place?
The activities take place at the Spanish Film Academy and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, both in Madrid.
Which filmmakers are participating in the closing of the program?
The final discussion, following the screening of La violinista, will feature the film's co-director, Raúl García, and filmmaker Pablo Berger.
What is the relationship between the program and the Annecy Festival?
The program includes a selection of the best works from Annecy 2025 and a session dedicated to the film Decorado, winner of the Paul Grimault award at Annecy 2026.
Who is moderating the session on the film Decorado?
The meeting will be moderated by academic and filmmaker Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón.
