From GIF IT UP to Bambi: Animation and cultural heritage

Hello!

Last month, our animation competition GIF IT UP returned - the response was amazing! There were over 300 entries - now it’s your turn to help by voting for your favourites. And to celebrate the inspiring cartoon creativity from everyone who took part in GIF IT UP, the theme of this month’s newsletter is animation!

Read on to discover an animation studio that created the cartoons beloved by Polish kids, and the man who created Bambi.

Vote for your favourite GIF

We were so impressed by the creativity of the 2025 GIF IT UP entries and it’s time now to vote for your favourite GIF IT UP entry to win the People's Choice Award. 

Explore cultural heritage objects and artworks remixed in creative, fun and surprising ways, and get voting. Voting closes on Wednesday 3 December!

Se-ma-for: the studio that created the cartoons Polish kids grew up to

For many children living in the times of the Polish People's Republic and throughout the 1990s, the end of the day was marked by the broadcast of bedtime stories at 7pm: a short block of cartoons and animated series shown on channel 1 of the Polish public broadcaster TVP.

Many of these animations, shown on television as well as in cinemas, were produced at the Studio of Small Film Forms Se-ma-for in Łódź.

This story is available in English and Polish.

Felix Salten: the Jewish author and hunter who created Bambi

Bambi is a beloved story which has entertained people for decades. Though the tale of the deer's life has been enjoyed by generations, many do not know the name of its author. 

In this story, discover the author behind Bambi, and learn how the Disney cartoon many know and love stemmed from an environmental novel and allegory for Jewish life in Europe.

This story is available in English, German, Greek and Italian.

You are receiving this email as you signed up for our newsletters.