The CODA, a new mechanism to support early-stage animated film development across CEE, were unveiled in Tallinn and will launch in 2026.
CODA – Codevelopment Animation Awards, created to support early stage animated film project development and boost cross-border collaboration, were unveiled as part of the industry programme of PÖFF Shorts (Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2025). Initiated and administered by CEE Animation, and supported by national funds from 11 CEE countries, the awards were introduced by Edith Sepp, Head of the Estonian Film Institute, and Matija Šturm, representative of CEE Animation and Managing Director of CODA.
CODA Awards encourage cooperation across borders, and help overcome the limitations of national support systems. Their goal is to ensure equitable participation, especially for independent producers from areas with potential to build greater capacity, and to bridge the existing gaps in development support.
The awards will be distributed across three categories: Feature Film Co-Development Award (20.000 EUR), TV/Web Series and TV Specials Co-Development Award (20.000 EUR), Short Film Co-Development Award (5.000 EUR). A yearly open call for animated projects is planned, with the first edition expected to launch in spring 2026.
Matija Šturm, Managing Director of CODA says:
“The need for a mechanism to support international collaboration during the development phase of animated films has existed for a long time. It was identified as one of the most important needs almost 10 years ago, and now we are establishing such a mechanism in the form of co-development awards. Its aim is clear: to strengthen creative and financial partnerships, increase the sector’s competitiveness, enrich diversity, and facilitate access to funding and resources,”
The CODA Awards are a long-term initiative developed through more than a decade of CEE Animation activities, culminating in the Think Tank (2023–2025) and the CEE Animation Conference GO! 2025. Their establishment resulted from a collective industry effort and extensive discussions held during panels and sessions at events including Animar_BCN Animation Convention.
With 11 CEE countries already on board, the CODA Awards mechanism welcomes national film funds of countries with low- and mid-production capacity. It operates on a membership-based structure, with each member having a vote in the process.
Eligible projects — including feature films, TV/Web series and TV specials, and shorts at any phase of development — are submitted by independent producers from member countries. Each project must secure national funding from at least one partner (majority or minority) and involve at least two legal entities or producers from at least two member countries.
