Submit Your Film to the Animator 2026 Competitions!

We are now accepting submissions of films and series for the four competitions of the 19th edition of the Animator Festival, including the International Short Film Competition, whose Grand Prix award qualifies for Oscar® consideration.

Competitions are the core of the International Animated Film Festival Animator. Since its very first edition, the festival has hosted the International Short Film Competition, which became an Oscar® qualifying event in 2017. Over time, additional competitions were introduced: the International Feature Film Competition, the Polish Animated Film Competition, and the International Animated Series Competition. Submissions to all competitions are free of charge.

The submission deadline is January 19, 2026 via: https://filmfreeway.com/ANIMATORFestival

The 19th edition of the Animator Festival will take place from July 4–12, 2026.

„Autokar”, dir. Sylwia Szkiłądź, Belgium, France 2025

International Short Film Competition:

- duration: up to 40 minutes;

- completion date: after 31 December 2023 (films with completion date / year of production: 2024, 2025 and 2026);

- animation technique: all techniques are welcome (min. 51% of the film duration has to be animated)
- who can apply: arts schools, film schools, production companies, film institutions, individuals or other parties holding the necessary rights;

- Main Prize: Grand Prix - Golden Pegasus (EUR 11 000 gross), Best Music Film or Best Film Music Special Award (EUR 650 gross), Best Student Film Special Award (EUR 650 gross);

- The winner of the Golden Pegasus is on a fast track to being considered for an Oscar® nomination in the Best Animated Short Film category and can compete for this prestigious award;

- series, trailers, commercials and intros are not eligible for the Short Film Competition.

„Boys Go to Jupiter”, dir. Julian Glander, USA, 2024

International Feature Film Competition:

- duration: above 40 minutes;

- completion date: after 31 December 2023 (films with completion date / year of production: 2024, 2025 and 2026) ;

- animation technique: all techniques are welcome (min. 51% of the film duration has to be animated);

- who can apply: film distributors, production companies, film institutions, individuals or other parties holding the necessary rights;

- Best Feature Film Award (EUR 8 000 gross).

„Basen albo śmierć złotej rybki”, dir. Daria Kopiec, Poland 2025

Polish Animated Film Competition:

- films made in Poland or made by Polish artists abroad, co-produced by Polish producers;

- duration: up to 40 minutes;

- completion date: after 31 December 2023 (films with completion date / year of production: 2024, 2025 and 2026);

- animation technique: all techniques are welcome (min. 51% of the film duration has to be animated);

- who can apply: arts schools, film schools, production companies, film institutions, individuals or other parties holding the necessary rights;

- Award for the Best Polish Short Film, the Golden Animusz - GRAND PRIX of the Polish Competition (PLN 15 000 gross), Polish Animation Discovery Special Award (PLN 3 000 gross);

- series, trailers, commercials and intros are not eligible for the Polish Competition.

„A Pain in the Butt”, dir. Elena Walf, Germany 2024

International Animated Series Competition:

- TV films / single episodes of TV and webseries (including TV specials, pilot episodes, mini-series episodes & TV films); Only TV and web series/TV and web films may be submitted to the Animated Series Competition. In the description of the entry/submission form, the Entrant should prove that the submitted episode is part of a larger project (it is not an 'ordinary' short film) – meaning: the submitted episode is part of an assumed (pilot / special episodes) or already existing series;

- completion date: after 31 December 2023 (series episodes with completion date / year of production: 2024, 2025 and 2026);

- animation technique: all techniques are welcome (min. 51% of the film duration has to be animated);

- who can apply: film distributors, production companies, film institutions, individuals or other parties holding the necessary rights;

- Best Animated Series Award (EUR 1 250 gross); Best Kids Series Award (EUR 650 gross)
- short films, trailers, commercials and intros are not eligible for the Series Competition.