Matea Milić, Animafest Producer, Dies at 45

Matea Milić, a prominent producer and a driving force behind the World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb, has passed away at the age of 45 after a courageous battle with illness. Her death has sent ripples of sadness through the Croatian and international animation community.

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Dear Matea, together with you, we believed that a miracle would happen.

Milić joined the production company Hulahop in 2012, initially as office manager, and by 2015, she had risen to the position of producer for Animafest Zagreb. Her tenure was marked by significant contributions to the festival's growth. She was lauded for her exceptional organizational skills and dedication, which were crucial in coordinating production, fostering collaborations with domestic and international partners, and developing the professional program known as "Animafest PRO."

Beyond her direct role at Animafest, Milić also led the "Rise & Shine" project, a pitching laboratory designed to nurture emerging animation talent. Since 2020, she served as the coordinator for the "Animation Festival Network" (AFN), an international network of animation festivals. As a representative of the Croatian Producers Association, she was involved in the "CEE Animation" initiative and frequently participated in international selection committees and festival juries.

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Her knowledge, exceptional organizational skills, and dedication made an invaluable contribution to the festival's development, shaping it through production coordination, collaboration with domestic and international partners, and the development of the professional program 'Animafest PRO'.

Colleagues at Hulahop remember Milić not only for her professionalism and reliability but also for her warmth and the genuine friendships she cultivated. Her positive impact on Animafest Zagreb and those who had the privilege of working with her is deeply felt. Her cheerful disposition and readiness to assist colleagues made her a beloved figure in the office, and her absence will be profoundly missed.

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Colleagues at Hulahop will remember her, they say, for her professionalism, reliability, dedication, and the warmth with which she built friendships, and for her great contribution to Animafest Zagreb and all of us who had the privilege of working with her.

The funeral service for Matea Milić will take place on Monday, August 10th, at 12:00 PM in the Great Hall of the Krematorium at Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb. Hulahop extended its sincere condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time.

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With her cheerful nature, always ready to help colleagues, Matea was beloved in our office and will be immensely missed.