The historic Animation Section of our Festival, born even before the Festival itself starting from our studies dedicated to the moving image, in the 2026 edition takes on a particularly special meaning. The section is dedicated to the memory of Professor Maria Roberta Novielli, extraordinary scholar, lecturer and cultural organizer, who suddenly passed away on 20 July 2026. For many years Roberta accompanied our path dedicated to animation cinema, contributing with her competence, her passion and her critical view to the selection of the animation works presented. This edition also arises from the desire to preserve and share some of the works indicated by her, within a tribute to her figure and to her fundamental contribution to studies on Asian cinema and Japanese animation in Italy.