Director and animator Snežana Trstenjak passed away on September 1st, 2025 at the age of 63, the Association of Film Artists of Serbia (UFUS) announced. Trstenjak has been professionally engaged in animation since 1986, she was one of the pioneers of digital animation in Serbia, the author of the animated game Guardians of Nature and introduced the subject of animation as a regular academic curriculum since 2002.
She worked as a director and animator for numerous TV commercials, collaborating with well-known marketing agencies such as Leo Burnett, Ogilvy&Mather, McCann Erickson, and others. Her work includes a wide range of animated films, and she stands out especially as the author of clay animation which was used as the opening credits for “FEST ’91”.
Continuing to contribute to the introduction of innovations into the cultural trends of Serbia, she was active in the organization of seminars and workshops on the Internet, culture and new media. She participated at numerous film festivals, as both a jury member and a participant, providing support and mentorship to young talents. Over 130 mentorships of diploma theses in the field of “Audio and Video Technology” in 15 years of work in education, represent a significant contribution to the spread of digital culture among young people.
She founded the studio “Visual Production” with the aim of reviving the tradition of the “Belgrade Cartoon School” and promoting animation in Serbia, and within its programs she supported young artists of various profiles, from animators to designers.
Photo: Euronews