Echoes of Memory – Filme zum International Animation Day 2025

In the organizer's words:

Under the motto "Memory", FAN Masters - an initiative of the Animation Network festival - takes us on a moving journey through socially critical, political, personal and universal stories. The twelve animated short films by outstanding animation artists from Portugal and Italy impress with their visual and narrative intensity, bringing places, events and feelings of the past to life and opening our eyes to new insights and emotional experiences.

• In his film FRAGMENTS, inspired by his father's experiences, José Miguel Ribeiro recalls the Portuguese colonial wars in Africa and how experiences of violence and loss leave their mark on the bodies and psyches of those involved and across generations.
• In UNCLE THOMAS, Regina Pessoa allows us to share her memories of her uncle and uses everyday objects and drawings to tell of their special connection - and of how Tomás' seemingly simple life had a profound effect on the filmmaker.
• Donato Sansone's JOURNAL ANIMÉ is an artistic improvisation created from daily visual reactions to international headlines - a satirical diary that stands up against censorship and for freedom of expression.

Together, these and other films in the program show the complexity of memory and identity - and the power of animated film to make the past visible and emotionally tangible.

• 19:00 FAN Masters Portugal
• 20:30 FAN Masters Italy

ITFS Animation Special in cooperation with FAN, curated by Cinanima (Portugal) and Imaginaria (Italy)