The DRAWTASTIC Animation Festival's "GOLDEN PENCIL AWARDS" celebrates animation of every kinds, from all four corners of the planet. However, it's core mission is to honor, support and showcase new talents in traditional hand-drawn animation in an increasingly challenging AI-driven age.

Yet, ALL forms of animated films are welcome - except AI generated films which steal creative work from other sources!

Founded in 2005, our festival was initially called "The 2D OR NOT 2D ANIMATION FESTIVAL" and launched inaugurally at the Historic Theater in Everett, WA. It was formally opened by the late, great ROY E. DISNEY, nephew of Walt.

The festival's name was changed to the 'DRAWTASTIC Animation Festival' in more recent times, when it became and online, digital event - something that has grown steadily ever since.

In the past, the DRAWTASTIC event attracted major industry speakers - including three times Oscar-nominated TOMM MOORE, legendary Disney producer DON HAHN, 'Mulan' director BARRY COOK, industry legend RICHARD WILLIAMS, 2DFX & graphic novel genius MICHEL GAGNE and 'Simpsons' animator SILVIA POMPEI, among many significant others.

The highlight of our festival event is always the announcement and screening of our respected Golden Pencil Award- winning films every year. The 2025 event is our 14th ever!

The Golden Pencil Award-winning films, as well as our honored 'Finalist' films, are exclusively screened on our digital "DRAWtastic!" animation app. Full details of the app and it's downloading can be found at http://www.drawtastic.org

Awards & Prizes

* All accepted films for our annual festival screening event will receive a digital "Finalist" laurel award.

* "Golden Pencil Award" winning films however will receive a digital 'Golden Pencil Award', one in each category - unless that category is not well supported or the film in question not considered high enough in it's judges rating. (In which case a 'Finalist' laurel award will be awarded.)

* The final screening event will be shown via our new DRAWtastic! app, for phones, tablets and desktops.

Rules & Terms

Animated films entered need to have been completed after January 1st 2022, unless otherwise stated.

Submitted films must have all presentation rights cleared and approved for online and public screening by the festival organizers prior to their submission.

DRAWTASTIC accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any film screened on behalf of the festival that has not been previously approved.

All submitted films will pre-screened by the festival organizers for suitability and judging, prior to the event.

Should festival judges consider a film not suitable for the category it is entered into - or if there are less than 3 entries for a particular category - they reserve the right to transfer that film to a more suitable category, or else withdraw it entirely.

If the judges feel that none of the entries in any particular category achieve a "Golden Pencil Award" status, then no award will be given for that category - although the films will still be screened a 'Finalist' entry nevertheless.

Golden Pencil Award-winning films will be exclusively screened on the "DRAWtastic!" phone app for an unspecified time, following the premiere festival event.

Filmmakers will be informed at least 1 week prior to the festival premiere event, so they will have time to prepare their social media promotion material, if they so choose.

Award-winning and Finalist filmmakers will be required to supply DRAWTASTIC Animation Festival a high quality screener copy of their film, upon request, prior to the screening event.

Award-winning and Finalist filmmakers will be asked NOT to announce the results of the judging until after the DRAWTASTIC Animation Festival screening event.

The festival organizers retain the right to modify any of these rules, should a need arise as a result of unforeseen or unanticipated circumstances - although they will not do so until all festival entered filmmakers have first been prior informed.

Animators entering films for our 2025 festival confirm their agreement to these published rules by doing so.
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  • Amir Vafaei

    A Great festival for animators all around the world...

    September 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind comments, Amir. They are very much appreciated! We try to make DRAWTASTIC a unique and caring festival - although working on a 'stone soup' budget there is only so much we can do, even though we'd like to do so much more. But what we can do is put all animated filmmakers first. I'm therefore glad this has worked for you. We hope to see your next film, when and as you create it, in the future! Best wishes, Tony. :)

  • Умит Жубанышева

    Этот фестиваль я включила в список самых любимых фестивалей )))))

    September 2023
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  • Robert Brown

    Great awards festival, keeping 2d animation alive! I was delighted that my short animated film 'Fire and Water' was a semi finalist here!

    May 2022
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  • Manuel Lopez

    Had a great time watching the festival! And it was truly an honor to be featured in the selection! Thank you Tony and the entire Drawtastic crew for the amazing work you do to make this happen! Thank you for what you do for 2D animation!

    April 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Manuel for your kind comments - and for entrusting us with your wonderful film. Together we can ALL keep traditional hand-drawn animation alive around the world! Looking forward to seeing your next film! :)

  • Elizabeth Lewis

    I loved the festival from beginning to end. I am so proud to have been a part of this especially to be awarded.

    March 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for you kind comment Elizabeth. It was a joy to see and celebrate your film! Looking forward to the next one! :)