The Orbital Sound Anima Cinefest International Animated Film Festival 2026 aims once again to be the ultimate global gathering of original animation storytelling for audiences seeking quality animated entertainment. To celebrate our four year run, we are pleased and excited to announce for 2026 that we will be screening a single animated feature film on the big screen this October. Next year's annual programming will once more offer an open call for global submissions of dramatic animated shorts, features, and episodic animated content that embraces all animation styles and genre.

Stay tuned for the exciting cinematic announcement of this year's full length feature film presentation that we have selected. We urge you to keep an eye out for Anima Cinefest on social media or www.orbitalsound.biz as we roll out the red carpet from May to our October release date with our plans to present a remarkable entertainment experience. Once again, in 2026 we are bringing the Ultimate Frame by Frame Experience!

ABOUT US

Anima Cinefest is an open platform for top tier talent but also supports new and student film-makers from outstanding animation schools like Rubika and, Pohl. It is our aim and hope to give new creatives access to film industry professionals who can offer guidance and other forms of career assistance. There is no fee to submit films.

During the last three years Anima Cinefest has brought award winning, world wide animated films to the Historic Hamilton Movie Theater which also has played host to the Banff Center Mountain Film Festival World Tour, the prestigious Robert Flaherty Film Seminar, the Slater Brothers Entertainment's Hamilton International Film Festival; and their sister festival Funny Under 15 Minutes Comedy Festival, the Miyazaki Fest, and No Man's Land Film Festival. The theater has also hosted international and Hollywood directors like Mike Ross, who conducted a screening of his film, Captain Fantastic with a Q&A afterwards.

Awards & Prizes

Semi-Finalists, Finalists, and Outstanding Films will receive OS Anima Cinefest Laurels.

All WINNERS will receive an official festival certificate with an online verification.

In the past, we have offered a Commemorative Theatrical Release Digital Cinema Package (DCP). It is our intent to continue this practice and to that end we are in the early stages of restructuring the process to accommodate, consolidate, upgrade and streamline our current workflows. We will be in touch with past filmmakers to individually tailor and match this offering to their needs. Feel free to reach out to us as we realign and reinstate this goal of ours to help you get your film out there on the Big Screen. We look forward to working together on this.

In addition, leading up to, during and after the festival, each accepted animated film and filmmaker will be given additional promotional opportunities on our website, and social media advertising and promotional marketing campaigns to help further support both the films and the festival itself.

We will also provide to you a digital Commemorative Souvenir Award Show program guide to send to your fans and mailing lists. This is available for download on the website when we announce the date for our November Awards Showcase and is a great opportunity to host your own screening party with family, friends and fans. Past filmmakers, get in touch with us - We're here to champion you and your film!

Rules & Terms

The Anima Cinefest animation festival works under the sponsorship of Orbital Sound Pictures. (OSAC = Orbital Sound Anima Cinefest)

RULES AND TERMS
1. Submissions for the Orbital Sound Anima Cinefest Animation Film Awards is open to animation films beginning again on May 1, 2027.
2. Films presented in their original language require English subtitles.
3. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2000. Premiere status is not required.
4. Short film entries must not exceed a running time of 40 minutes.
5. Student films and videos must present proper documentation from their academic institution, example: academic ID of the director/producer or a letter of recommendation from an academic adviser or institution. Any films submitted as student films without proper identification will be disqualified in the category.
6. Student films must be submitted no later than two years after graduation.
7. All submitted films and/or videos do not need to submit an entry fee.
8. Please notify OSAC immediately in case of any submission withdrawal.
9. Any changes to the rules will be at OSAC discretion.
10. OSAC can adjust the submission fees or change the promotional price at any time. This has no effect on films that have been submitted before the changes.
11. All entries to be submitted online via FilmFreeway.
12. All submissions are screened and evaluated by OSAC.
13. Criteria for judging is based on creativity of visual images, production quality (irrespective of the cost of production), originality of storytelling and total entertainment value.
14. Submissions will be checked for their eligibility and judged only in their appropriate categories if applicable.
15. All Official Selections will be announced at the OS website, the OSAC web page, as well as online in the OSAC Commemorative Souvenir Award Show Program and on OS social media platforms and filmmakers will be notified via FilmFreeway and by email.
16. The number of selections and categories are at OSAC's sole discretion.
17. Screening will be held at the Historic Hamilton Movie Theater. Award Ceremony and any other announcements will be made on OSAC’s official website and OS’s social media platforms.
18. Selection:
– NOT SELECTED – unfortunately your film was not selected. This means your film was under consideration but was not selected to be screened. This means don't give up and we look forward to you trying again next year.
– SEMI-FINALIST – your film was selected as the semi-finalist in the category(s) to which it was submitted. The judging status is to all categories. This means your film was screened
– FINALIST – your film was selected as the finalist in the category(s) to which it was submitted The judging status is to all categories. This means your film was selected to be screened and received the Official Selection Award. Kudos to you.
– AWARD RECIPIENT – your film garnered accolades in the category(s) to which it was submitted from the Live Screening. This means your film was screened and you have earned an award. Congratulations to you!
– Student Recognition Award – your student film was selected for additional recognition in the category(s) to which it was submitted and received the Official Selection from the Live Screening. This means your film was screened and you have won an award. Congratulations to you!

This makes the selection process more transparent to all filmmakers and is a guarantee that all kinds of animated films (short, feature, student, dramatic, etc) have equal opportunities to be selected at the Live Screening.

AWARDS
1. Official Selection for each category will receive an OSAC digital certificate with verification and a digital copy of the official OSAC laurel. Each official selection recipient will also receive a commemorative Theatrical Release Digital Cinema Package (DCP) See above for details on how we are working on how to scale this important goal for us.
2. Winner of the ANIMA D'OR is chosen from all official selection categories if applicable.
3. Winners of the People's Choice awards will be juried by popular vote and notified if applicable.
4. Awards will be chosen by celebrity jurists and/or Juries composed of in theater audience members and online viewers if applicable. In case of no show or tie, results will be decided by the OSAC festival director for this edition.
5. Other additional award prizes may be given during the ceremony.

SCREENING
1. All official selections are included in the festival program for exhibition.
2. OSAC reserves the right to choose other shortlisted films and features to be screened in the film festival.
3. The filmmakers and/or production companies must provide OSAC a copy of their films for screening at least 60 working days prior to festival. This is to make sure the festival has enough time to check for any technical concerns that may occur and resolve them prior to the screening.
4. If sending DCPs, the sender is requested to inform OSAC on the means of dispatch and the date of shipment. Postage or shipment costs are the responsibility of the sender. No collect costs are accepted unless authorized by the OSAC. Materials should be sent to OSAC by internet transfer.

5. All screening formats can be received by participants during the festival screening Please note that at this time the festival does not accept 3D stereoscopic films viewable with the use of 3D glasses.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITION
1. All films must be of standard cinema aspect ratio and resolution (Square Pixels 1.0).
Flat:1.85:1 2K (1998x1080) or 4K (3996x2160) Scope: 2.39:1 2K (2048×858) or 4K
(4096x1716)
2. HD format is possible, but the filmmakers/producers must give OSAC the rights to re-format it for screening purposes. HD quality digital copy of the film in Quicktime (Pro Res 422) if applicable.
3. H264 (MP4) files can be accepted provided the images are of great quality.

OTHER AGREEMENTS
1. OSAC is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival.
2. The filmmakers and/or the production company allow OSAC and OS to use their film’s Press Kit for promotional purposes.
3. The submission of any films to the festival means that the filmmakers and/or the production company agree without any reservation to all the rules and regulations of OSAC.
3 Reviews
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  • Jorge Morais

    We’re so grateful that our animated short film In Half was selected as one of the 14 finalists. It truly means a lot to be part of the 2025 edition of your festival. Even though we didn’t get to see any photos from the event at the Hamilton Movie Theater, we’re sure it was a beautiful night celebrating independent animation. Thank you again for having us!

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • ENRIQUE GUSTAVO TAPIA

    Being part of Anima Cinefest was an inspiring experience.
    The festival shows great dedication to the art of animation, with impeccable organization and a warm, friendly approach toward the filmmakers.
    A truly wonderful experience that celebrates creativity and the spirit of animated cinema.
    We are deeply honored and grateful to have been part of this wonderful event.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Vibin Alex

    Thank you for selecting our animated short film, 'The Grandma's Mind.'

    October 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Vibin Alex, our pleasure. We congratulate you on your wonderful film and graciously thank you for the opportunity to include "The Grandma's Mind" in the festival.