Last night, the second Nikšić Illustration and Animation Salon was ceremonially opened at the Nikšić Theatre, marking the official start of the second edition of the European Animated Film and Illustration Festival – (Re)animacija.
This important cultural event is organized in the context of Nikšić as the European Capital of Culture 2030, in collaboration with the Nikšić 2030 – European Capital of Culture Office, NGO Reanimacija, NGO Protos Film, and the Nikšić Theatre, with support from the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Film Centre of Montenegro, the Municipality of Nikšić, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, EPCG, IEC Tehnopolis, Museums and Galleries Nikšić, Radio Television Nikšić, the Tourist Organization of Nikšić, the Scouts Association of Montenegro, the Tibor Youth and Cultural Center, National Library “Njegoš”, and Trebjesa Brewery.
The festival was officially opened by the Mayor of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević.
“Last year we embarked on this initiative to show that our city, a candidate for the European Capital of Culture 2030, could successfully organize an event of this kind. By proving this, we have now become a European Capital of Culture. The European Animated Film and Illustration Festival (Re)animacija is a herald of this story and the success we all expect,” Kovačević said.
Dr. Radisav Marojević, Secretary of the Secretariat for Culture and Media of Nikšić, also addressed the audience:
“Nikšić has always been a city with a strong cultural identity – a city that deeply respects its tradition, yet boldly and curiously embraces contemporary artistic expressions. Although only in its second year, the (Re)animacija Festival has already demonstrated serious potential to become a key meeting point for contemporary art, not only in Montenegro but across the wider European space. I am especially pleased that tonight we also open the second Nikšić Salon, which gathers a large number of domestic illustration and animation creators and serves as an important platform for promoting their work,” Marojević emphasized.
Marko Gošović, Director General of the Directorate for Creative Industries at the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro, also spoke:
“It is particularly significant that the festival includes the Nikšić Illustration and Animation Salon, which, by bringing together dozens of Montenegrin creators, functions not only as an exhibition but as a representative overview of a previously partially invisible scene, confirming its role in promoting contemporary artistic expression. The international character of the festival, especially through exhibitions like ‘HUMAN 2026,’ introduces a crucial theme: the question of humanity in the context of technological transformation. Framed within artificial intelligence, this theme challenges our identity. The festival touches the very core of the digital era: new technologies are not just tools—they have changed the way we see the world,” Gošović stated.
On behalf of the organizers, Mato Uljarević, Project Manager of Nikšić 2030 ECoC and Director of the (Re)animacija Festival, addressed the audience:
“As a UNESCO Creative City and the European Capital of Culture 2030, Nikšić carries even greater responsibility. This year, we are proud to welcome prominent international figures such as animator, director, and producer Pedro Rivera, who will present a special program on the festival’s final night. Among others, the festival also features Igor Prassel, director of the ‘Animateka’ Festival in Ljubljana, and Zarja Menart, director and last year’s winner of the Best Short Animated Film award,” Uljarević emphasized.
The festival featured over 200 participants. The first prize went to Petar Šuković for the animation “Big Iron”, awarded by Dr. Radisav Marojević, Secretary of the Secretariat for Culture and Media of Nikšić (€1000).
The second prize went to Vana Đuranović for the animation “Majka najbolje zna”, awarded by Željko Lučić from IPC Tehnopolis (€500).
The third prize went to Irma Alibašić for the illustration “Beneath Sun”, awarded by Peko Vukadinović, President of the Scouts Association of Montenegro (€300).
After the awards ceremony, a program dedicated to Slovenian creator Zarja Menart followed. She received the festival award for her film “Three birds”, which won last year. The award was presented by the Mayor of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević.
