Brighton International Animation Festival is the first of it’s kind! Set on the sunny coast of Brighton, England it is a 3 day annual not-for-profit festival every April run by animators for everyone. The vision of the festival is that it embraces international partnerships and encompasses a global perspective, in addition to providing an accessible place for people to learn about the medium. 

In addition to film screenings of both specially curated and in competition programmes, the festival offers hands on animation workshops and talks from industry speakers. This allows both animators and non-animators alike to come and learn about the medium in both an artistic and commercial context.

Awards will be awarded in the categories of Best UK, Best International and Best Student film and the prize is a license from TV paint the festival sponsors. Additionally there is an augmented reality exhibition at the festival with Best AR award awarded. This is advertised through the festival instagram @brightonanimation

Brighton International Animation Festival does not have premiere status requirements.

For accessibility purposes all selected films must provide captions burnt into the video file (in English) is selected. If filmmakers don't supply this the festival has a right to dis-include the film. Please find here an article on Descriptive Subtitles and why it matters https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/blog-an-equal-experience-why-descriptive-subtitling-matters/

Films must have been made since 2023.

Any animated technique is eligible as well as any genre such as Documentary, Narrative, Music Video, Experimental etc.

Brighton International Animation Festival reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any projects submitted. If accepted, you must be able to provide the festival with a downloadable high-resolution export of your film, as well as at least one high-quality still image for promotional purposes.

For purposes of submission, all films must be submitted as online screeners through FilmFreeway. Submitted films must be complete. Works-in-progress will not be accepted.

All material in your film must be your own original work - you must have the rights to all images, music, and on-screen talent featured in your film. Films that do not adhere to copyright laws will be disqualified.

If the requested materials aren't submitted by the date stated and correspondence on the matter isn't engaged with the festival has the right to dis-include the film from the festival.

By submitting your film, you acknowledge that you are giving permission to Brighton International Animation Festival to utilise still images and trailers from your film for non-commercial use in promoting the event, and potential inclusion for any future pop up events.

Previously submitted films aren't eligible for resubmission.

Submission fees are non refundable.

Overall Rating
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  • Amazing ambiance, wonderful filmmakers and creative atmosphere at the festival, according to our teammate ! Thanks to Kate and her team for having our film "The Boy who Cheated Death". Wish everyone the best!!

    April 2025
  • Juliana Venturini Denyer

    It is a great festival, I saw many lovely and inspiring films, met old friends and made new ones!
    The paint-on-glass masterclass on the first day was fabulous, learned a lot and had good fun! Even discovered the approach I tried before isn't as unusual as you think, which was awesome.
    It was great seeing my film "Abstrata" again on the big screen, and in such good company! Fantastical Worlds was my favourite programme, there was some amazing films, with some nostalgia too in worlds inspired by the fantastic sci-fi comic books of the 80s by incredible artists like Moebius.
    Kate does a wonderful job organising and running this festival, and the staff was brilliant too!!!
    I thoroughly recommend applying and / or attending the festival. Don't miss it!!!

    April 2025
  • I had a lovely time showing my stopmotion film, ‘Buckshot’ at the Brighton Animation Festival. Kate did a lovely job hosting it and everyone was so lovely and helpful, it was a very lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

    April 2025
  • I had a brilliant time at BIAF. The venue was beautiful, the organisers were brilliant and the crowd (made up of people of all ages) was warm and encouraging. Most importantly, the standard of the programme was very high and I felt honoured to have been included in it.

    April 2025
  • Junjie Xu

    Big thanks to BIFA for picking my short HIDE AND SEEK and showing it in Queer as F++k! I’m sorry I couldn’t attend in person this year, but I truly appreciate all the hard work and coordination from the team behind the scenes. I hope to meet you all in the future! Lots of love!

    April 2025