Filmmaker Michaela Mihályi was born in the year of Nirvana’s Nevermind, 1991 in Michalovce, Slovakia. She studied animation at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava as well as at FAMU in Prague, where she is currently based. During her studies, she created several short films of different genres and animation techniques, which were screened at various film festivals. Michaela is currently in the development of her next short animated film about menstruation. She makes a living as a freelance illustrator and animation director, collaborating frequently with Dávid Štumpf.
Her last film, Sh_t Happens, which she co-directed with Štumpf, premiered at the 76th Film Festival in Venice. Since its premiere, it has been screened at more than 100 film festivals, including Sundance, Clérmont-Ferrand, Palm Springs, among others. Sh_t Happens was also nominated for Czech and Slovak national film awards and was shortlisted for the 46th César Awards in the animation category.
While at MacDowell, Mihalyi dedicated herself to the development of her debut short animated film Period Drama. This project garnered recognition and was chosen to be presented at Mifa Pitches during the Annecy Festival in France. The film's progress was further enhanced through its participation in esteemed programs such as the NEF Animation Residency, ANI: DOX Lab, and the Rise and Shine Animation Lab. Period Drama is scheduled for release in 2025.
