Animafest Zagreb: Fewer AI Films Expected, Human Creativity Praised

The 36th World Festival of Animated Film, Animafest Zagreb, is set to open, but artistic director Daniel Šuljić observed a surprising decrease in films created with artificial intelligence.

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We expected a much larger wave of films made with the help of AI. The problem is that they are all very similar.

"We expected a much larger wave of films made with the help of AI. The problem is that they are all very similar," Šuljić stated. He contrasted these with human-created films, which convey a broad spectrum of emotions and address diverse social issues. The rise of female directors, he noted, is also expanding the range of themes and perspectives presented.

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For the most part, films made by humans convey a whole palette of emotions, experiences, and social issues that authors feel the need to talk about.

Šuljić highlighted the festival's growth, receiving 2,100 submissions from 95 countries, a significant increase from its early days. He mentioned that while themes often echo ancient narratives like Greek tragedies, they are continually reinterpreted through contemporary lenses. A notable shift was observed in student films, which Šuljić described as once being more immediate and dynamic, possessing an authenticity that seems diminished in some current productions, possibly due to an attempt to appear more serious or emulate festival trends.

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Before 50 years, Animafest as a biennial event received about 350 films, while today it has reached record numbers – this year there were 2,100 submitted works from 95 countries.

Technological advancements have made animation more accessible than ever, with digital tools replacing film and enabling home-based production. This democratization has fostered a greater pluralism of expression and increased the number of individuals engaging in animation. The festival itself is a testament to this vibrancy, featuring over 300 films and more than 300 international guests, solidifying its status as a major global event.

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Computers have replaced film tape, and today the tools for producing animated films are much more accessible. With relatively small means, it is possible to create working conditions at home, which has further increased the pluralism of expression and the number of people involved in animation.