Founded in 2006, Hulahop is one of the oldest and most stable independent production companies in Croatian audio-visual sector. Hulahop has three main strands of activities:
focuses on producing documentary and hybrid films, and TV series. We involve in projects that extend knowledge, widen human perception and bring emotions to the viewer. We like personal films, good storytelling and sincere authors.
Organisation of the World Festival of Animated Films – ANIMAFEST ZAGREB (link)
from 2007, Hulahop is the organiser of Animafest Zagreb, the second-oldest animation film festival in the world, founded by the City of Zagreb in 1972, which is to this date the only Croatian A list festival. Animafest Zagreb is the coordinating member of the Animation Festival Network, consisting of five leading animation festivals from Central and Eastern Europe.
Film Distribution in the territory of Croatia
In 2019, with the success in distribution of the film The Diary of Diana B., that gathered 35.000 cinema viewers in Croatia and over 60.000 with Slovenia, Serbia, and BiH, Hulahop started to offer distribution services (together with promotion and marketing activities) to Croatian and regional films. The focus is on art and festival films and its presence on the big screen. Hulahop is taking up to 8 titles per year in the distribution.
The Story of Hulahop
Hulahop was founded in 2006 by two friends and passionate lovers of film and art, Olinka Vištica and Dana Budisavljević. Their vision was to create a platform for projects that bring together artistic quality, innovation and a strong connection with audiences.
The decision to establish their own production company was also driven by a desire to create greater opportunities for women in the audiovisual industry and to develop a different approach to running a company — one that places particular value on a healthy working environment, mutual respect and human relationships. These principles have remained at the heart of Hulahop ever since.
Since 2026, Hulahop has been led by Dana Budisavljević.
Over its twenty years of existence, Hulahop has been fortunate to work with a number of remarkable people whose talent, dedication and friendship have contributed greatly to the company’s achievements and longevity. We are deeply grateful for everything they have brought to Hulahop and proud that they have continued to contribute to the film and cultural sectors in their own ways.
Together, we have shared a belief in the importance of culture as an essential part of human life and society — a belief that continues to shape our work and the relationships we build.
Matea Milić (in memoriam) — Animafest producer. She worked at Hulahop from 2012 until 2026, when she sadly lost her battle with a serious illness.
Ornela Čop — Animafest coordinator, now at the August Cesarec Cultural Centre.
Olinka Vištica — co-founder and producer, now at the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Miljenka Čogelja — film producer, now at Pipser.
Vjera Matković — Animafest producer, now at the Ministry of Culture and Media.
Vanja Kaluđerčić — Animafest producer, now at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
