Learning and Playing Week
Moldova Meets Japan: A Journey through Anime and Gaming
Republic of Moldova
"Learning Through Creativity: Moldova’s Invitation to Collaborate" invites you to explore the evolving digital arts scene, where global influences and local creativity converge. This event will showcase how Moldova’s creative sector is contributing to the future of gaming and animation, blending international trends with innovative local projects. While inspired by global phenomena such as anime and gaming, Moldova is developing its own unique voice within these industries, offering exciting new content.
Discussion
- Games around the world
- Digital Transformation & IT Growth in Creative Industries #The Impact of Digital Arts on Society and Economy
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | To be determined |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.07.19[Sat]
14:00 ～ 16:30
(Venue Open 13:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
As the digital entertainment landscape expands worldwide, Moldova is embracing its role in this global movement, fostering creativity, technology, and innovation. This event will showcase Moldova’s contributions to gaming and animation, while also exploring the broader role of the creative industry in driving cultural, economic, and social change.
The programme includes three key themes:
🔹 Learning Moldova: Surprising Stories of a Creative Nation — highlighting Moldova’s cultural roots and creative identity through local stories and grassroots initiatives.
🔹 Creative Moldova: Where Ideas Become Impact — presenting real-life examples of how creative ideas have evolved into innovative businesses and projects with social relevance.
🔹 Play to Invest: Moldova’s Creative Sector is Open for Collaboration — focusing on Moldova’s openness to cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives in the creative field, with support from both public and private actors.
Join us to see how Moldova is shaping the future of gaming and animation, combining innovation with technology to make a meaningful impact on the global creative industry.
14:00-14:05- Opening Remarks by Irina Tolstousov – Deputy Director, Invest Moldova Agency
14:05-14:20- Learning Moldova: Surprising stories of a creative nation
Irina Tolstousov – Deputy Director, Invest Moldova Agency
14:20-14:40- Creative Moldova: Where Ideas Become Impact
Viorica Cerbușca – Director of the Creative Association of Moldova
14:40-15:00- Play to Invest: Moldova’s creative sector is open for collaboration
Natalia Bejan – Director of Invest Moldova Agency
15:00-16:00- Meet the creative industry of Moldova: Stories of local companies
-NRG Media – Pioneers in immersive multimedia and Unreal Engine-powered installations. Known for their work with international DJ Andrew Rayel and Moldova’s first digital sculpture project for Orange.
-bully! entertainment – A global player in immersive content (VR/AR, WebAR) with a portfolio including Microsoft, Ford, NASA, Avatar, and PwC—alongside past work in Japan for the Rugby World Cup and Adidas’ Tokyo Marathon campaign.
-Lidia Scarlat – A creative producer and international connector who curates custom teams for global studios and brands, with credits including Netflix, OFFF, and Microsoft.
-Casa Imago – A design and branding studio trusted by Crunchyroll for localizing creative campaigns across markets. Specialists in culturally fluent visual communication.
-Mihai Stamati Design Studio – Award-winning industrial designer with works featured at Stockholm, Vienna, and Saint-Étienne Design Weeks. Known for conceptual urban furniture and playful public spaces.
-Profile Communications – A full-service creative and communication agency with 600+ campaigns delivered for major local and international brands.
-Racketa Production – Innovators in immersive storytelling and AR experiences, including an award-winning mobile app for Moldova’s National Museum and original film content development.
16:00-16:30- Open discussion
Reports
【Reflection】
At Expo Osaka, Moldova organized the event “Moldova Meets Japan: A Journey through Anime and Gaming”, as part of its broader message, “Learning Through Creativity: Moldova’s Invitation to Collaborate.” The initiative aimed to showcase how Moldova is contributing to the global digital arts sector, especially in gaming, animation, and immersive media.
The program was structured around three core themes:
🔹 Learning Moldova — highlighting Moldova’s creative identity and cultural roots;
🔹 Creative Moldova — presenting successful local creative projects with social and economic impact;
🔹 Play to Invest — emphasizing Moldova’s openness to international partnerships in the creative industries.
One of our main initiatives was bringing together a delegation of top creative companies and professionals to tell Moldova’s story through real examples. These included NRG Media, Casa Imago, Racketa Production, bully! entertainment, and others who work with global clients like Microsoft, Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Adidas.
We focused on positioning Moldova as a collaborative and innovative partner, highlighting investment opportunities, public-private cooperation, and the ability to co-create culturally fluent digital content. By drawing inspiration from Japan’s strong pop culture scene, the event also served as a bridge for potential future collaboration between Moldovan and Japanese creators.
The event concluded with an open discussion that encouraged direct exchange between Moldovan creatives and international participants. This helped foster new contacts and potential project ideas.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following our successful participation at Expo Osaka with the event “Moldova Meets Japan: A Journey through Anime and Gaming,” we plan to build on the momentum and interest generated by implementing several key follow-up initiatives to further develop international collaboration in the creative sector.
First, we aim to establish ongoing dialogue with Japanese and international partners we met during the Expo. This includes exploring concrete collaboration opportunities—co-productions in animation or immersive media, creative outsourcing, and knowledge exchange between studios, institutions, and artists. Another priority is to support capacity building in Moldova’s creative ecosystem, inspired by the best practices observed in Japan. We plan to host workshops and mentorship programs with international experts to strengthen skills in storytelling, gaming design, branding, and cultural content development.
Additionally, we aim to promote Moldova’s creative sector as an investable industry, continuing the “Play to Invest” narrative.
Finally, we intend to maintain visibility through follow-up storytelling, sharing success stories from the Expo and spotlighting Moldovan creators who are building international connections.
Cast
Speakers
Natalia Bejan
Director at Invest Moldova Agency
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Irina Tolstousov
Deputy Director Invest Moldova Agency
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Viorica Cerbușca
Director of the Creative Association of Moldova
Viorica Cerbușca is the CEO of ARTCOR – Moldova’s Creative Industries Center, which she has led for over six years, transforming it into a vibrant hub for artists, creators, and innovators. ARTCOR offers a dynamic space for exhibitions, performances, and workshops. Viorica has launched impactful programs such as Artcor School, Creative Export, Creative Accelerator, and the Artists Program, empowering local talent and creative entrepreneurs. ARTCOR is internationally recognized and won the ArchDaily Europe Award for sustainable urban architecture. It is also an active member of the European Creative Hubs Network.
Viorica is also the founder of Yep!Moldova, host of the StartupFuckup Podcast, a startup ecosystem builder, and holds a PhD in communications and innovation.
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Luminița-Dorina Gudima
Senior Specialist, Invest Moldova
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Eugen Boico
CEO, NRG Media
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Lidia Scarlat
Creative Producer & International Connector
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Nicoleta Ciurea
Business development coordinator at bully! entertainment
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Mihai Stamati
Designer and Owner at Mihai Stamati Design Studio
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Viorel Barbanoua
Partner and Alexandra Zemstovskaya at Profile Communications
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Sergiu Pascaru
CEO at Pascaru Production
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Olga Radu
CEO at Casa Imago
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Learning and Playing Week
Moldova Meets Japan: A Journey through Anime and Gaming
"Learning Through Creativity: Moldova’s Invitation to Collaborate" invites you to explore the evolving digital arts scene, where global influences and local creativity converge. This event will showcase how Moldova’s creative sector is contributing to the future of gaming and animation, blending international trends with innovative local projects. While inspired by global phenomena such as anime and gaming, Moldova is developing its own unique voice within these industries, offering exciting new content.
-
2025.07.19[Sat]
14:00～16:30
(Venue Open 13:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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