The Festival is now hosted at the garden of the Lusignan Manor House in Palaipafos, near the archaeological site of worship of goddess Aphrodite. It remains versatile, however, as it travels to picturesque locations across the Cypriot countryside. Its loyal audience consists of children, young adults and friends of the Festival of all ages from across the social spectrum, including many artists and expats residing in Cyprus.
The Festival’s multicultural nature is also noteworthy. The not-for-profit organisation ‘Views of the World Festival’ cooperates with several important international festivals such as Animafest Zagreb, Holland Animation Film Festival, ANIMATEKA, Interfilm Berlin Short Film Festival, PRIMANIMA, Hungary, Ottawa Animation Festival, Stuttgart Animation Festival, etc.
Its mission is to screen Cypriot and foreign animated films, distinguished for their unique aesthetic, excellent technique and anthropocentric themes. It also serves as a basis for the development of animated films in Cyprus, while a number of screenings tour across various locations around the island. The Festival hosts lectures and workshops among other activities, some of which are supported by the Creative Europe Media programme. As of 2013, it features a competitive section dedicated to Cypriot animators.
Animafest Cyprus is the main platform for animated film exhibition and promotion on the island and is officially supported by the Deputy Ministry of Culture. It is held under the auspices of ASIFA Cyprus and it usually takes place in August.
The Festival’s success led to the establishment of the national ASIFA Cyprus Chapter in 2013, following a relevant resolution by the International Organisation ASIFA (Association intérnationale du Film d’Animation), which is affiliated with UNESCO.
The Festival aims to widen its appeal beyond Cyprus, to attract both industry members and audiences from abroad by becoming a meeting point for animated film curation and production in the region.
