What kinds of films are eligible?
Example of a "factual animation" would share some of these qualities:
- They are about a factual subject, events that happened, real people or lived experiences.
- They follow the codes and conventions of documentary practice, science communication, journalism, educational films, explainer videos, or public service announcements.
- They are about the historical world that we all live in rather than an invented world of fiction.
- They feature representations of real people and their lives.
- If they do feature fictional characters, the emphasis in the film gives a strong impression that the characters are mere rhetorical tools that allow the film to draw focus on events that are grounded in fact, such as social or political issues.
- They tell biographic stories based in fact or autobiographical stories based in lived experience
- They visualise subjective experiences that are otherwise invisible, such as mental health difficulties, dreams, or hallucinations that felt real to those who experienced them.
- They address folklore, spirituality, or religion in a way that sheds light on a real world person, community, or culture, past or present, rather than presenting belief systems as truth.
- They visualise abstract concepts, or present authentic statistics/data.
What kinds of films are ineligible?
FAFF does not accept submissions that share these qualities:
- Films based on fictional narratives i.e. they are mostly about imagined scenarios invented by the filmmaker, rather than describing things that have happened in the historic world that we all live in.
- Films where the use of animation is either missing or negligible.
- Mocumentaries, i.e. films where the characters and events are entirely fictional but the film is designed to imitate or spoof the look and feel of a factual film or documentary.
Does my film have to be a documentary?
No. Your film needs to be a predominantly animated film that is about a factual subject. We will also consider experimental films that challenge or expand the meaning of factual storytelling by, for example, adopting a poetic structure.
I've made a film, but how do I know it's 'animated enough'?
Your film should either rely entirely, mostly, or prominently on animation, i.e. the film must use animation in a way that is integral to the audience experience of the film. If your film is mostly live action it has a reduced chance of being accepted, but it will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. We will also consider experimental films that expand or challenge conventional definitions of animation, for example, by significantly manipulating live-action footage.
I am a national of a country excluded from the international banking system. Can I still submit my film?
In the spirit of artistic freedom and cooperation, Iranians and other nationals affected by international sanctions may still submit their animation project to FAFF. Please email us for details of how to do so. Please check if your film meets our submission requirements before making your request. Waivers are issued on a case-by-case basis.
I am resident in an African Union country. Are there any special offers for animators like me?
We are interested in supporting African filmmakers, but we rarely receive films from this region. We currently offer free entry to African filmmakers with qualifying films.African filmmakers are defined as those who are current residents in countries and territories that are part of the African Union. Please email us for more info.
I cannot afford the submission fee. May I still submit my film?
Organising film festivals is expensive and, without sponsorship or government grants, it is very difficult to be financially sustainable. We have kept the submission fees as low as possible and only in extremely rare cases will we offer waivers. If in all honesty you can afford the submission fee, please don't ask us for a waiver.
Rules & Terms
Our selection judges will watch and evaluate each entry to determine which submissions are selected for screening during the festival. By submitting your film you hereby give us the rights to publicly screen your film at FAFF 2025 and any FAFF related events, such as future FAFF screenings, FAFF best off screenings, FAFF events in collaboration with our partner festivals, talks and seminars.
If your film is accepted, you are required to provide film stills, and ideally a poster and trailer. We will require a 1080p high quality H264 MP4 or ProRes MOV export of your film. For audience accessibility, we require all filmmakers to provide SRT files with English language closed captions, regardless of the spoken language. You may also be required to provide a DCP (digital cinema package).
Participation in the online festival is optional for filmmakers. The online festival is not geo-blocked and will be available to any audience member who signs up for access. Filmmakers and distributors participating in the online festival do so at their own risk and FAFF will not accept responsibility for any member of the public using the online festival to infringe a film’s copyright. As such, we understand some films are not able to participate in the online festival. We ask that those not participating provide a trailer instead. If your film is selected for the FAFF programme, you will be provided with an opportunity to opt out of the online festival in one of the initial notification emails.
Up to two complimentary tickets per film will be offered to filmmakers whose films are officially selected. Only individuals directly connected to the production and/or distribution of the selected film are eligible for complimentary tickets. Tickets are not transferable. FAFF cannot provide transport or accommodation for filmmakers to support their attendance at our screening events.
1. Animated films under 1 minute.
By submitting your film, you permit us to use and manipulate any publicity stills you have supplied, as well as stills from your film, for promotion of FAFF, and you allow us to use up to 12 seconds of your film in trailers and other video promotion. Non-English language submissions will be disqualified from consideration if they are not accompanied with english language subtitles or closed captions. Filmmakers must secure all copyright clearances. FAFF will not accept responsibility for any copyright infringement.
2. Animated films 1-20 minutes.
By submitting your film, you permit us to use and manipulate any publicity stills you have supplied, as well as stills from your film, for promotion of FAFF, and you allow us to use up to 30 seconds of your film in trailers and other video promotion. Non-English language submissions will be disqualified from consideration if they are not accompanied with english language subtitles or closed captions. Filmmakers must secure all copyright clearances. FAFF will not accept responsibility for any copyright infringement.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash and are not transferable. Submission fees cannot be refunded.
