The film festival takes place over the course of 12 days between September and October on the cruise ship Taras Shevchenko.
[3] In 1991, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it was decided to make the festival international, and it was held on a cruise ship for the first time.
[citation needed] The festival has been put on hold since 2019, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the 25th edition cancelled in 2020.
[4] As well as the competitive categories, the festival also features other animation screenings, events, and lectures.
[5][6][7] The festival is committed to the "ideals of humanism, peace and friendship between nations", using animated films to convey the message.