CEE Animation Masterclass 2026
Friends of animation!
We are delighted to invite you to the 9th edition of the CEE Animation Masterclass 2026, an educational event for film professionals and students working in the field of animation.The Masterclass will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM in the cinema of the Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts (VŠMU) in Bratislava.
Admission to the event is free.
We look forward to your participation!
PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY – MARCH 11 – CINEMA
11:00 – 12:15
FILM SCREENING – Tales from the Magic Garden (70 min, directed by: David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, Jean-Claude Rozec)
In Slovak language.
Three siblings are spending the weekend at their grandparents’ house, but little Tom can’t fall asleep. His older sister Zuzka decides to use Grandma’s old hat and conjure stories from it, just like their beloved grandmother used to tell. Together with their oldest brother Derek and their grandpa, they all dive into a magical world full of funny characters and imagination, whose healing power brings back their joy.
13:00 – 13:15
CASE STUDY by Juraj Krasnohorský
The making of the film Tales from the Magic Garden
Ever wondered what goes into making one of Slovakia’s most acclaimed contemporary animated film? Producer Juraj Krasnohorský will take the audience behind the scenes of the film Tales from the Magic Garden. He will reveal the technical intricacies of stop-motion animation—a project that involved 150 collaborators and 16 animators over 497 filming days in four countries. This lecture is intended for anyone interested in the intersection of traditional stop-motion and the demands of modern distribution.
14:45 – 15:45
DISCUSSION
Ethics of Generative AI in Art
The discussion will be moderated by Ivana Laučíková (Head of the Animation Department at FTF VŠMU) with guests Lenka Hámošová and student Šimon Mináč.
The discussion will focus on the ethical questions of using artificial intelligence in the artistic environment—from academia to professional practice. The goal is not only to present a realistic outlook on the future development of the industry but, above all, to help each of us find our individual priorities and stances. We believe that confronting different opinions will bring a productive dialogue about which direction we, as creators, will take in the AI era.
16:00 – 17:30
MASTERCLASS by Lenka Hámošová
Creative AI Workflows | Maintaining creative sovereignty from brainstorming to the final shot
Generative AI is no longer just a futuristic tool but a part of contemporary visual culture. However, how should animators use it without losing their authorship, style, and intent?
This session explores how AI can become part of your creative workflow: from brainstorming and visual research to prototyping and world-building, without replacing your artistic thinking. Instead of focusing on single tools, we will look at process design: how to structure AI into your workflow in a way that expands your capacity while preserving creative sovereignty.
SPEAKERS
Lenka Hámošová is an artist, designer, and educator working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, creativity, and human agency. With over 15 years of experience in visual communication and more than eight years of practical work with generative AI, she explores how intelligent systems are changing authorship, perception, and creative decision-making.
She is the founder of Creative AI Workflows and the creator of Creative AI Cards, developing workshops and educational formats that help artists and professionals integrate AI into their processes without losing creative control. She initiated the Creative AI Meetups in Prague and is the co-founder of the Ouroboros festival, where she curated the synthetic media and AI program, as well as TAH – Center for Innovation in Technology, Arts, and Humanities.
Juraj Krasnohorský is a film producer based in Bratislava. In 2010, he founded the production company Artichoke, and in 2012, his first feature film premiered. Juraj has participated in the Maia Workshop, EAVE, and Producers on the Move, and is a member of the European Film Academy. He is the Head of Studies at the CEE Animation Workshop and the EAVE Ties That Bind x ATF Singapore Animation Lab. His latest feature films, White Plastic Sky (2023) and Tales from the Magic Garden (2025), were nominated for the European Film Awards. His short films Hurikan (2024) and I died in Irpin (2024) were shortlisted for the Oscars.The event is organized by the Association of Animated Film Producers (APAF).Co-organizers include CEE Animation, Visegrad Film Forum, and the Film and Television Faculty of VŠMU.The event is supported by the Slovak Audiovisual Fund and Creative Europe MEDIA through the support of CEE Animation activities.
