Maria Anestopoulou studied law in Greece and pursued postgraduate studies in intellectual and industrial property law at the University of Kent, England. She was a founding member and programme director of Platforma Video, an international film festival dedicated to the art of digital film that took place in Athens from 2003-2009. In 2008, she founded, with Vassilis Karamitsanis, Animasyros International Animation Festival, the largest animation event in Greece. There, she holds the position of festival director. Under her capacity, she has developed international cooperation schemes with multiple animation organisations and she is particularly dedicated to the promotion of the local animation industry internationally. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of ASIFA Hellas. Recently, she completed her first animated documentary as a producer, a film narrating the history of Hermoupolis, the birthplace of the Animasyros Festival. In her non-animated world, she works as a legal advisor in the area of public investments and the European Structural Funds. She also collects fridge magnets.