We’ve opened submissions for the Animator 2027 competitions!

We’re opening submissions for films and series to four competitions at the 20th anniversary edition of the Animator Festival, including the International Short Film Competition, whose Grand Prix brings you one step closer to an Oscar® nomination.

Competitions are at the heart of the Animator International Animated Film Festival. Since its very first edition, the festival has featured the International Short Film Competition, which became an Oscar®-qualifying competition nearly a decade ago, in 2017. Over the years, it has been joined by the International Feature Film Competition, the Polish Animated Film Competition, and the International Animated Series Competition. Films and series can be submitted to all four competitions free of charge.

The submission deadline is January 12, 2027 via: https://filmfreeway.com/ANIMATORFestival

The 19th edition of the Animator Festival will take place from July 3-11, 2027.

Innego końca nie będzie / There Will Be No Other End, reż./dir. Piotr Milczarek, Polska/Poland 2024, 8’04’’

International Short Film Competition:

- duration: up to 40 minutes;

- completion date: after 31 December 2024 (films with completion date / year of production: 2025, 2026 and 2027);

- 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.

Square / Gwang-Jang, reż./dir. Bo-sol Kim, Korea 2025 | 73’ | 12+

International Feature Film Competition:

- duration: above 40 minutes;

- completion date: after 31 December 2024 (films with completion date / year of production: 2025, 2026 and 2027) ;

- 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).

There Is No Jungle / Dżungli nie ma, dir./reż. Marcjanna Urbańska, Poland/Polska 2025, 11’05”

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 2024 (films with completion date / year of production: 2025, 2026 and 2027);

- 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.

Hungarian Folk Tales – The Prince And His Three Pals, dir./reż. Peter Bogyo, Hungary/Węgry 2025, 8’03”

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 2024 (series episodes with completion date / year of production: 2025, 2026 and 2027);

- 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.