The event will offer concrete insight into the animation and game industry specifics through lectures and panels by leading experts, and provide a seminar on funding opportunities for game development, as well as portfolio review sessions to selected participants.
Central to the industry programme is also a showcase exhibition of five video games competing for the award for Best Video Game Art Direction. The Lab will take place from 12–13 June 2026 as part of Animafest Zagreb. All programmes are free of charge.
Video Game Art Direction Competition
Central to the industry programme is also a showcase exhibition of five video games competing for the award for Best video game art direction. The selection committee was formed of three members active in the industry, Admir Elezović (Croteam), Sara Jurić (Gamepires) and Aleksandar Gavrilović (Gamechuck), who reviewed 41 projects submitted for the award. The selected games will be available to play for professionals and enthusiasts alike during the festival.
List of competing games:
- “Time Flies” – Playables, Switzerland
- “Numbra” – Hamahiru – DigiPen Bilbao, Spain
- “All Living Things” – MOXO, Croatia
- “The Dunkers” – 5 rusa, Croatia
- “Goki’s Dream” – Studio Schlamassel, Germany
Programme
Friday, 12 June
10:30 – 12:30 Portfolio reviews (for participants only)
13:00 – 14:00 Lecture: Loris Timotej Vodeb, Talking Tom, Outfit7
14:15 – 15:15 Lecture: Michael Frei, Playables
15:45 – 16:45 Lecture: Jörg Tittel
17:00 – 18:00 Panel: Strategic Synergies Between Animation and Game Development Public Funding
Saturday, 13 June
09:00 – 11:00 Seminar Creative Europe: Development of Videogames (for participants only)
11:00 – 12:00 Lecture: Aleksandar Gavrilović, Gamechuck
12:15 – 13:15 Lecture: Ante Vrdelja, Big Blue Bubble
13:45 – 14:45 Lecture: Admir Elezović, Croteam
15:00 – 16:00 Panel: The Power and Potential of Intellectual Property Between Animation and Games
FUNDING SEMINAR – Creative Europe: Development of Videogames
Join a seminar with Aleksandar Gavrilović and discover funding opportunities and tips to support your upcoming projects. Free entry, apply now as the spaces are limited!
Deadline: 3 June
Portfolio Reviews
Refine your artistic vision and elevate your professional presentation by joining our exclusive two-hour portfolio review session featuring industry experts Gabriel Nagypál and Gabriel Alvarez. This intensive event offers artists a rare opportunity to receive 15 minutes of dedicated, one-on-one mentorship focused on the nuances of concept art and character design. Free entry, apply now as the spaces are limited!
Deadline: 3 June
