This year, the festival program features a specially curated section highlighting six animated films. Beyond this dedicated selection, the festival line-up includes two additional animated works: Persepolis—screened in memory of the late Marjane Satrapi—and Doğa Kılcıoğlu’s short film Kirpik. The widespread prevalence and power that animation has achieved grant it an unprecedented freedom, both in the mainstream and on its fringes. Animation spans an extraordinary range of industries and adapts to diverse stories, themes, styles and artistic visions. Cinema goers now get a chance to see more frequently than ever how versatile the medium can be. One such example is the integration of animation in the documentary Che Guevara: The Last Companions, featured in this year's program.

The animated films showcased at this year’s Ayvalık International Film Festival—mostly recent releases— present a marvelous portrait of diversity in style, theme, narrative, and culture. To explore this further, film critic and translator Kutlukhan Kutlu will host a talk delving into the rich world of animation.