Animation Lab Zurich Switzerland
We are pleased to announce the winners of the Animation Lab.
Atypical Plant - Ahmed Al-Houli (Kuwait / Switzerland)
Kan Makan - Raghad Albarqi (Saudi Arabia)
Seven Mountains and Seven Seas - Noel Keserwany (Lebanon)
Wild Flower - Jinane Dagher (Lebanon)
Congratulations to you all!
Selection Results for Our Animation Lab 2025
We are thrilled to have received an incredible array of projects from talented individuals like yourselves. Thank you for your contributions!After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we can only select seven projects, of which three will receive a prize. We greatly appreciate your trust and support throughout this process. Please remember that not being selected does not diminish the value of your project. We encourage you to continue pursuing your vision!
We wish the best of luck to all of you whose projects were not chosen this year. We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to those selected for our inaugural Animation Lab 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland. The following projects, listed in alphabetical order along with their original titles, will be a part of this exciting journey:
- Atypical Plant - Ahmed Al-Houli (Kuwait / Switzerland)
- Hattan & Deema - Mostafa Younis (Egypt)
- How We Fall in Love - Rafia Al Hussain (Jordan)
- Kan Makan - Raghad Albarqi (Saudi Arabia)
- Seven Mountains and Seven Seas - Noel Keserwany (Lebanon)
- The Nile's Line - Mohamed Ghazala (Egypt)
- Wild Flower - Jinane Dagher (Lebanon)
On Thursday, April 3rd, this outstanding panel will evaluate the seven selected animation projects that are competing for the coveted prizes for 3 projects.
For more detailed information about our Animation Lab and its jury, please see our website: Events
Thank you once again for your engagement and dedication. We look forward to working with the selected projects and wish every one of you continued success!
Submission closed, see you next Edition
What to expect
As part of the 7th Arab Film Festival Zurich, an Animation Lab will take place for the first time. This new offering is of great importance as it aims to promote the financing, writing and enriching international exchange of animation film experiences in the Arab world and Switzerland. The Animation Film Lab at the AAFZ comprises two concentrated days during which the production and post-production phases of four carefully selected animation projects of any duration will be advanced. A professional jury will judge the submitted projects; prizes will be awarded in kind by postproduction providers from Switzerland and the Arab world. In addition, a panel event will discuss common and different challenges facing animated filmmaking in Switzerland and Arab countries, which is of particular interest to up-and-coming filmmakers.
This exclusive program aims to serve as a catalyst for networking, cultural exchange, collaboration and funding opportunities, promoting professionalization and creating strong links between animation creators, studios and industry professionals in Switzerland and Arab countries. The lab is organized with the support of the Animation Department of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) and in collaboration with Fantoche and the GSFA, whose Peer2Beer event already provided the first opportunities for informal exchange with Arab guests during the last edition of the AFFZ.
Production companies and filmmakers from the Zurich area and the rest of Switzerland are invited to submit animated film projects in the production stage and to take part in the discussions and workshops. The Animation Film Lab takes place at the Filmpodium cinema; this event is supported by the Zurich Film Foundation.
Language: The Lab will be conducted in English.
Maryam Essa Al-Khulaifi
Jury Member
Maryam Essa Al-Khulaifi, a Qatari producer and festival programmer
Ivana Kvesic
Jury Member
Ivana Kvesic, director of the Swiss animation festival Fantoche
Kat Woodtli
Jury Member
Kat Woodtli, HSLU lecturer and Stop Motion Professiona
Animation Panel
Friday, 04. April, 15:00 o'clock – Filmpodium
The festival's Animation Film Lab, an industry event closed to the public, aims to promote the production of full-length animated films in Arab countries and Switzerland. br The Animation Panel is a public event, a discussion of common and differing challenges facing animators in the various countries, and an exploration of possibilities of cooperation.
Maryam Essa Al-Khulaifi
Participant
Maryam Essa Al-Khulaifi, a Qatari producer and festival programmer
Ivana Kvesic
Participant
Ivana Kvesic, director of the Swiss animation festival Fantoche
Kat Woodtli
Participant
Kat Woodtli, HSLU lecturer and Stop Motion Professiona
Dustin Rees
Host
Animation filmmaker, editor, teacher
Sponsors
We sincerely thank our sponsors for their generous support of the 1st Animation Lab 2025.
Kindly supported by
Co-operation Partners Animation Lab
The Arab Film Festival Zurich is grateful to its co-operation partners for the 1st Animation Lab Zurich 2025: the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts HSLU, the Groupement Suisse du Film d'Animation GFSA and the international animation festival Fantoche.
