We encourage you to read this brief summary of the past months prepared by the Polish Animation Research Group members.
Animation Through an Academic Lens
In October 2025, one of our flagship events took place: “ANIMOWANE, nieANONIMOWE. Konferencja O! Polskiej Animacji vol. 3” [ANIMATED, not ANONYMOUS. Oh! Polish Animation Conference vol. 3]. Over the course of two days at the University of Lodz, researchers discussed the boundaries of animation. Presentations explored the production contexts of animated films and images generated by artificial intelligence, while also examining links between Polish animation and Japan.
Another important event of the Polish Animation Research Group, “Animacja na Akademii” [Animation at the Academy], was held this year in Bydgoszcz. Organised in cooperation with the ANIMOCJE Animated Film Festival, the event brought together academics, students, creators, curators, educators, representatives of cultural institutions and animation enthusiasts from around the world at the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music.
“Animacja na Akademii” is thus becoming firmly established as a practice of key importance for building the animation studies community in Poland – as stated on social media.
– that's how the event was described on social media.
In Poland and Abroad...
The Polish Animation Research Group representatives could also be encountered in Lublin and even in Zagreb. Natalia Dutka represented the Group at the 3k6 Festival of Games and Pop Culture, where she spoke about the development of Polish animation. Prof. Ewa Ciszewska (University of Lodz), Dr Olga Bobrowska (University of the National Education Commission, Kraków) and Dr Katarzyna Figat (Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz) presented their research at the 13th edition of the Symposium for Contemporary Animation Studies Animafest Scanner in Zagreb (9-10 June 2026).
...and at the Faculty of Philology!
Many initiatives connected with the Polish Animation Research Group were also organised at the Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz. During the first meeting of the Polish Animation Research Group of the new academic year, member Agata Gąsieniec introduced participants to the world of arthropods in children's films through selected examples of computer animation. The Polish Animation Research Group representatives also participated in the Faculty of Philology Open Days, where, together with the University of Lodz Film Studies Student Science Club, they encouraged prospective students to pursue film studies. Members of the Polish Animation Research Group Scientific Council, Dr Olga Bobrowska and Dr Mikołaj Birek (University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów), together with the Group's Head, dr hab. Ewa Ciszewska, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, reflected on how to write about animation during the seminar “Animation Studies w Polsce” [Animation Studies in Poland], which was held in a hybrid format on 27 May 2026.
We would like to thank all members of the Polish Animation Research Group and participants in the events listed above for another successful year of activity. We are delighted that together we can carry out and develop important initiatives that are recognised around the world. Special thanks are also due to this year's Polish Animation Research Group Leaders, Agata Czajkowska and Katarzyna Żmuda, the Polish Animation Research Group Scientific Council members Olga Bobrowska and Mikołaj Birek, and the Head of the Group, dr hab. Ewa Ciszewska, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz.
Text: Agata Czajkowska (Polish Animation Research Group)
