Animotion Film Festival is a competitive Film Festival dedicated to 2D-3D Animation and Stop Motion Films. The Call for submitting at 10th edition of Animotion Film Festival is open from May 18th, 2026 to April 6th, 2027.

-History-

Our event gave space to individual authors, animation schools and productions from all over the world.
Since the first year of our event, we have brought the best of global animation to our audience.
In the first edition were selected “Garden Party” and “Negative Space” both Oscar nominees in 2018. In the second edition were selected “Mirai” by Mamoru Hosoda, Oscar nominee in 2019 and “Weekends” Winner at the Toronto Shorts Film Festival and Oscar nominee in 2019.
The short film “Daughter” was nominated for an Oscar after the 2020 edition and we had the privilege of showing the feature film “Away” awarded at major international festivals.
In 2021, even during the pandemic, we selected and awarded the best works received at the festival.
Every year the level of animated cinema is higher and higher, our event is always updated on the progress and innovations that this film genre brings.

The Festival gives awards for:
- Best Animated Film (Short & Feature);
- Best 2D Animation Film;
- Best 3D Animation Film;
- Best Stop Motion Film.
- Best Director|Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Script |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Student |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Soundtrack |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Design |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Advertising |Animation Film (Short);
- Best Music Video |Animation Film (Short);
- Best Voice Over |Animation Film (Short & Feature).

All winners and selected works receive the winning laurel by e-mail.

ART. 1 - Submission
Registration for the competition has to be made by the on-line platforms. The director pays the fee (not refundable) relative to the category and to the period of registration.

The open call starts on May 18th 2026 and closes on April 6th, 2027.

ANIMATED SHORT FILM DEAD LINES
Earlybird Entry 01/06/2026 $ 12.00
Middle Standard Entry 07/07/2026 $ 15.00
Standard Entry 04/08/2026 $ 18.00
Extended Standard Entry 01/09/2026 $ 20.00
Middle Late Entry 06/10/2026 $ 23.00
Late Entry from 06/11/2026 $ 25.00
Extended Late Entry 01/12/2026 $ 28.00
Middle Final Entry 05/02/2027 $ 30.00
Final Entry 02/03/2027 $ 33.00
Extended Final Entry 06/04/2027 $ 35.00

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM DEAD LINES
Earlybird Entry 01/06/2026 $ 15.00
Middle Standard Entry 07/07/2026 $ 18.00
Standard Entry 04/08/2026 $ 20.00
Extended Standard Entry 01/09/2026 $ 23.00
Middle Late Entry 06/10/2026 $ 25.00
Late Entry from 06/11/2026 $ 28.00
Extended Late Entry 01/12/2026 $ 30.00
Middle Final Entry 05/02/2027 $ 33.00
Final Entry 02/03/2027 $ 35.00
Extended Final Entry 06/04/2027 $ 38.00

ART. 2 - Submission requisites
Italian or foreign 2-3D/STOP MOTION Short Films which last up to
30 minutes;
Italian or foreign 2-3D/STOP MOTION Feature Films which last up to
120 minutes.

ART. 3 - Genres
It's an OPEN genre film festival. The author is responsible for the content and any disclaimers regarding the material submitted.

ART. 4 - Selection
Official notification date: April 20th 2027.
The Films received within the terms above, will be examined by Animotion Film Festival Staff that determines, unquestionably, the admission to the final stage of the Festival. The author(s) of selected works will be contacted by the organization. The Festival Staff will not give feedback to directors regarding the selection or non-selection of films. The full program of screenings will be published on the Festival social channels within April 20th 2027.

ART. 5 - Preselection
May be made a pre-selection of the Films before the late entry deadline, in this case the directors will be contacted by Festival Staff.

ART. 6 Awards
- Best Animated Film (Short & Feature);
- Best 2D Animation Film;
- Best 3D Animation Film;
- Best Stop Motion Film.
- Best Director|Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Script |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Student |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Soundtrack |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Design |Animation Film (Short & Feature);
- Best Advertising |Animation Film (Short);
- Best Music Video |Animation Film (Short);
- Best Voice Over |Animation Film (Short & Feature).
The organization may decide not to award one or more category prizes.

ART. - 7 Advertising Purposes
Festival Staff can use parts of the selected Films for advertising purposes via print, radio, trailer on TV or Cinema or Internet. After registering for the festival, a post will be made on the event's social networks with the poster of the registered work.

ART. - 8 Acceptance of Rules and Regulations
Participation in the competition implies acceptance of these rules. Festival Staff reserves the right to make any changes to the rules and regulations and how to deal with any controversial matters. It’s strictly forbidden to privately contact the staff and jury members during the selection period of the festival, punishment: exclusion from the competition.

Privacy
Subscribers to the Animotion Film Festival, agree as established by Decree 30 June 2003, No. 196 on the protection of privacy, the use of personal data for all initiatives related to the event. The author of the work declares to accept the regulation in all its parts, you have the legal availability of the film and to authorize the public screening without compensation, freeing the organization of the Festival from any responsibility for the present and future. By entering the competition each author is responsible for the content of his works. The author declares to hold all rights to the work, not in any way prejudicing the rights of third parties, such as other authors, subjects portrayed, transferees of rights, along with those of music, etc. It also declares that the audiovisual material used is not protected by SIAE. Pursuant to the provisions of Legislative Decree. 30/06/2003 n. 196, we inform the author that the provision of data required and necessary for the completion of the documentation of enrollment in the Festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thank you for screening our film "Pistis Poiesis" at this year's line up. It was a great experience!
    Thank you

    June 2026
  • Rajesh PK

    Winning at Animotion Film Festival is a truly special moment for us. As an independent animation studio from Kerala, this recognition feels both encouraging and heartwarming. Animotion’s love for animation and the way they celebrate unique artistic voices made this experience even more meaningful.
    Thank you for embracing Blus and supporting creators like us.

    December 2025
  • Mark Kelly

    This was a grand contest and it was fine to participate. I do have some suggestions to make. The best contest I’ve participated in on Filmfreeway included for the winners A dedicated project page on a website with my screenplay's title and logline, A separate feature on the Screenplay Contest Page which included:
    A 5–10 page excerpt or a section of my choosing,
    A short editorial comment from the team,and
    Additional details about my script's concept and appeal. I thought it was would be good for contests to make such things standard. It was still a good contest without them.

    July 2025
  • The "CHAIN" team is thrilled and deeply honored to have been awarded "Best 3D Animated Film" by the Animotion Film Festival. This recognition means the world to our team and validates all the hard work and passion we've poured into our project. Thank you to the judges and the festival team for recognizing our efforts and providing such a prestigious platform for animated films.

    We are immensely grateful for this opportunity and for the support from the Animotion Film Festival. Thank you for celebrating and promoting the art of animation.

    July 2024
  • This is a small festival with a fantastic atmosphere and great interaction with other participants. Highly recommended!

    July 2024