PROGRAM
Hiroshima Animation Academy ＆ Meeting
SCHEDULE
Aug 21st (Fri) 10:15～ @JMS Aster Plaza Large Meeting Room
Program Overview
At the "EU-Japan Animation Business Workshop," held as an official initiative of the European Union (EU) at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, animation industry professionals from Japan and Europe—including producers—gathered for three days. Divided into three categories—"Co-production," "IP," and "Distribution"—participants gained a mutual understanding of the differences in business practices and regulations across their respective countries and regions while discussing the potential for future joint projects between the two territories.
This year, in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to Japan and New Way, New World: Program for Connecting Japanese Animators to the World, Hiroshima Animation Season 2026 will host the official follow-up event, "EU-JAPAN Animation Business Workshop 2026" (please refer to the dedicated website for information on how to participate in the workshop itself). While smaller in scale compared to the 2025 edition, discussions will be exchanged regarding the potential for co-production in two specific areas: "short films" and "small-scale features."
In this de-briefing session, participants will present the outcomes of these two workshops in the form of a report, widely sharing potential animation co-production and business models that could shape the future between Japan and Europe.
Although the outcome report for the "EU-Japan Animation Business Workshop" is already available online, this session aims to supplement that text with the real-life perspectives of the actual participants, offering a multifaceted, multi-dimensional view of the insights gained.
Co-organized by: Hiroshima Animation Season, Delegation of the European Union to Japan, New Way, New World: Connecting Japanese Animators to the World (organized by :Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan / Japan Arts Council / Computer Graphic Arts Society)
Guest
Speakers: Participants of the EU-Japan Animation Business Workshop
MC: Nobuaki Doi
Draško Ivezić (b. 1975 in Pula, Croatia) is an animated film director, screenwriter, producer, and voice actor based in Angoulême, France. He co-founded Adriatic Animation in Croatia and has collaborated with talent from across Eastern and Central Europe as a creative producer. Ivezić also helped establish Central Eastern European Animation, which supports industry networking and professional training for animation producers. Over 12 years, he has produced 14 short animated films, alongside various television and feature projects. His work has earned accolades at major festivals, including Animafest Zagreb, OIAF, and Annecy, while also being selected for Sundance, TIFF, and the Berlinale. In 2024, one of his productions was shortlisted for the Academy Awards. By nurturing emerging talents and driving forward new artistic visions, Ivezić continues to shape the global animation scene. His dedication to storytelling and collaborative projects has established him as a respected figure in international animation, with a focus on both creative innovation and professional development.
Karolina Davidova is an independent producer and co-founder of Prague-based production company 13ka, dedicated to auteur-driven animation and hybrid films with international ambitions. Her work focuses on original stories that combine artistic vision with emotional resonance, exploring themes of identity, cross cultural encounters, self-discovery and empowerment. She is particularly interested in projects that connect contemporary visual art with animation and foster meaningful international co-productions. Karolina is currently producing Inbetween Worlds, a European feature film developed in collaboration with Vietnamese and Singaporean partners, while also developing several animated features and series with European collaborators. She has participated in international industry programmes including EAVE Ties That Bind and Focus Asia, where she began building long-term relationships with Asian producers. She is now looking to expand these collaborations with Japanese partners and develop new opportunities for artistic co-production between Europe and Japan. At the EU–Japan Animation Business Workshop, she hopes to develop new partnerships for animated projects and explore long-term creative collaboration between Central Europe and Japan.
Miha Černec was born in 1975 in Ljubljana. He studied Slavic languages and literature at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. He stared working in film industry since year 2005. He is producing fiction, documentary, and Tv series. In 2014 he graduated at EAVE in 2014 and Ex- Oriente in 2015. In 2015 he was selected as Producer on the Move. He is EFA and EDN member and president of Asociation of Slovenian producers.