Visionary, daring, and philosophically grounded, Hungarian director Áron Gauder has spent the past two decades redefining what European animation can be. From the urban satire of The District! (Nyócker!) to the mythic and ecological parable Four Souls of Coyote, and now to the cosmic  project I Am , Gauder’s work traces a singular path — one that stretches from the streets of Budapest to the edges of the universe itself.

When Hungarian director Áron Gauder burst onto the international animation scene with The District! (Nyócker!) in 2005, few could have predicted how far his creative journey would reach. The film, a bold social satire blending street humor, digital cutout style, and raw urban realism, won the Annecy Cristal for Best Feature — a first for Hungary — and established Gauder as one of Europe’s most daring new voices in animation.

“The District! was a social experiment as much as a film,” Gauder recalls. “We wanted to show that animation can deal with gritty, real-life issues — racism, inequality, urban life — with humor and honesty. It was about shaking up the idea of what animation could talk about.”

Two decades later, Gauder’s artistic universe has expanded dramatically. His latest feature, Four Souls of Coyote, marks a spiritual and ecological turn, diving deep into Native American mythology and environmental philosophy. The film, produced by Réka Temple in Cinemon Entertainment has collected numerous awards (Annecy Jury Award, Golden Goblet for Best Animation feature at Shanghai, Grand Prize at Cinanima), was Hungary’s Oscar entry, nominated for Annie Award and represented Hungary at international festivals, uses traditional storytelling and hand-crafted animation to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the Earth.

“After The District!, I wanted to explore something more timeless,” Gauder explains. “When I encountered Native American worldviews, I was struck by how they see the planet as a living being — not a resource. That idea felt universal. It’s a message the world urgently needs.”

From the Streets to the Stars

Gauder’s evolution from urban satire to mythic storytelling reflects a broader artistic philosophy — one that sees animation as a tool for exploring human existence from all angles. His next step pushes that vision into new dimensions — literally.

Currently in development, the I Am  is both a short film and a large-scale, immersive animation project designed for dome cinemas, museums, and cultural venues. The 20-minute piece combines cosmic imagery, scientific curiosity, and philosophical reflection in a 360° experience that surrounds the viewer.

“I’ve always been fascinated by total immersion — when the image and sound fully embrace you,” says Gauder. “With this work  we invite the audience inside the universe itself. It’s about the birth of everything — and our fragile place within it.”

Unlike traditional cinematic releases, the immersive version is a hybrid between art, science and education.  Its intended venues — planetariums, science centers, cultural spaces — represent an emerging frontier for European animation – and aims to engage audiences through experiential storytelling and the wonder of science. The short film, meanwhile, has a different trajectory, intended for film festivals, streaming platforms, and as a companion piece in cinemas.

“Animation has incredible potential to make abstract ideas visible,” Gauder notes. “In a dome, you don’t just watch the story — you’re part of it. You can feel the rhythm of creation, the expansion of the universe, and the pulse of life all around you.”

Music and Motion as Universal Language

In every work, Gauder places music at the heart of his storytelling — from the urban pulses of The District! to the spiritual resonance of Four Souls of Coyote, sound has always been a co-narrator. In I Am, this vision reaches new heights: composer Einar Selvik joins Gauder to create a breathtaking sonic cosmos that mirrors our universe’s evolution.”

“In this project, sound is space,” he explains. It becomes a physical experience, surrounding you, breathing with you. The audience will feel the creation rather than simply see it.”

Animation Beyond the Screen

What makes the I Am particularly groundbreaking is its cross-sector approach. The project aims for strong festival visibility while also targeting educational and cultural institutions. By bridging audiovisual storytelling with science and philosophy, it reflects a growing European trend toward multi-platform and immersive experiences.

This “beyond the screen” philosophy has been at the heart of Gauder’s work from the beginning. Whether tackling social inequality in The District! or ecological consciousness in Coyote, he sees animation as a medium of connection — between people, cultures, and ideas.

“For me, animation is not about escaping reality — it’s about understanding it,” he says. “Each of my films, in some way, asks the same question: how do we relate to each other and to the world we live in?”

The original version of the article was published on AHUB.