The free-to-attend festival does not take place at a single central location, but rather cultural centers, libraries, schools, kindergartens, cinemas and other community spaces host the programs - according to a press statement sent to MTI.

As they write, thousands of screenings and hundreds of accompanying programs await at venues around Hungary and abroad. 

The festival offers an opportunity for each community to enrich the festival with its own cultural character. Local organizers offer colorful programs: in addition to the screenings, puppet shows, drawing competitions, children's concerts, folk dance performances and other cultural events complete the experience.

According to the press announcement, the Cartoon Festival pays special attention every year to presenting the most renowned creators of Hungarian animation, the latest productions of Hungarian film studios, and animation students from art universities. 

Thanks to international festival selections, the audiences will be able to see the best domestic and foreign animated short films this year as well.

The central theme of this year's event is the world of literary adaptations. The Cartoon Festival's offering will mainly feature animated films that adapt literary works, retelling classic and contemporary stories. Local organizers will be given free rein in designing the screening programs.

The main patron of the event is Marcell Jankovics' widow, Éva Rubovszky, and the patron is the Hungarian National Committee for UNESCO.

A traditional part of the National Cartoon Festival program is the presentation of the Hungarian Master of Children's Culture Award. This award recognizes artists who have done outstanding work in the field of children's culture. 

The award winner is chosen by the leaders and representatives of the institutions participating in the festival. The award is a gift from the Zsolnay Porcelain Manufactory: the workshop's very first special eosin-glazed small sculpture depicting a child character, the "little boy playing ball".

The press announcement highlights that the National Cartoon Festival became an event of national significance last year. 

The number of participating places has been continuously increasing in recent years, and this year more than 500 Hungarian and international locations are offering their programs.

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The full event program, the constantly expanding list of locations and dates can be found at www.rajzfilmunnep.hu