Animation from Turku celebrated in Germany – Capitals of Culture Chemnitz and Oulu collaborate

The animation education at the Arts Academy of Turku University of Applied Sciences, which has been chosen as the best in the world twice, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The anniversary screening of the education will be seen in this year’s European Capital of Culture in Chemnitz, Germany, in cooperation with the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival.

The image is from the animation Paper, directed by Katariina Haukka.

The 44th Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival, together with Turku Animation School, are proud to present a special screening celebrating 30 years of Turku Animation School at the 30th International Film Festival for Children and Youth SCHLiNGEL.

The festival, which will take place from September 27 to October 4, 2025, is held in Chemnitz, Germany, which is this year’s European Capital of Culture. Oulu will hold the same title in 2026, when German children’s films will be screened at the Oulu festival, selected by SCHLiNGEL festival.

The anniversary screening will feature 10 short animations created by animation students from various years. The animation program is organized by the Arts Academy at Turku University of Applied Sciences.

“Founded in 1994, this unique school has produced several award-winning animation directors and artists. The animation programme created by Priit Pärn and Eija Saarinen has been voted the best in the world no less than twice. The emphasis continues to be on storytelling and students’ own artistic expression. Traditional animation techniques – hand-drawn animation and stop motion – remain central,” tells Elli Vuorinen, Senior Lecturer.

Organized since 1982, the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival is Finland’s only annual film festival focused entirely on children and young people. The event showcases new and high-quality Finnish and international children’s and youth film productions and their makers. The target audience for public and school screenings includes children and young people of all ages, and their families in the Oulu region, as well as kindergartens, elementary schools, and secondary schools throughout Finland. In 2024, the festival attracted more than 170,000 participants and is organized by Oulu Film Centre.

The animations of the Arts Academy will also be strongly represented in Poland at the International Film Festival Etiuda&Anima in Krakow in October. The screening, curated by our alumnus Joni Männistö, will feature an extensive retrospective of Finnish animation.