Factual Animation Film Festival (FAFF) is the world’s longest running film festival dedicated to championing short animated documentaries and factual animation. FAFF’s goal is to draw attention to the best short non-fiction animations created around the globe each year, to bring filmmakers and audience members together, and build a community around the niche practice of non-fiction animation.

The annual FAFF short film programme is screened at physical events, typically in London and Berlin, before being distributed as a global online festival. It is occasionally presented as a special programme at other film festivals. At physical screenings FAFF hosts Q&As with the filmmakers and each year a jury of experts award a trophy to the best film and best student film.

The practice of animated non-fiction is characterised by the combination of opposing narrative impulses. Animation is most commonly used to represent that which is unreal, while documentaries are made with an ethical commitment to represent truths. The tension and contradictions built into this practice has motivated the FAFF selection committee to remain open minded about what might qualify as a factual animation. However, while all animation mediums are welcome, we expect submitted films to use animation in a way that is both prominent and integral to the film’s functioning. FAFF is open to any topic, but submitted films must have a stronger relationship to the world we all live in than the filmmaker’s narrative inventions. As such, we look for a strong basis in fact, history, biography or lived experience. Whether or not a film qualifies as a factual animation or animated documentary is our first concern in the selection process. Please see the FAQs for more information.

Awards & Prizes
There are currently two categories to submit to:

1. Animated shorts of 1-20 minutes.
2. Animated shorts of under 1 minute.

Both categories will be subjected to the same selection process, so the main difference is that it costs less to submit a film that is shorter than 60 seconds. There are also separate prices when making a student or standard submission. The cost of submission is also determined by the four deadlines: super early bird, early bird, regular and final deadline, where it is cheaper to submit earlier.

All official selection films are in competition for either Best Film or Best Student Film awards, depending on the student/standard submission type. Winners will receive physical trophies, if they are able to attend our London screening. There is no cash prize. If you are not able to collect your FAFF trophy in person, contact the FAFF team. We cannot guarantee the cost of shipping will be covered by FAFF. All films officially selected for this year's program will receive an official selection laurel to use in promotional material and the winners will also receive a winners laurel.

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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Really great festival. What they manage to pack in to a day is amazing! Managed to go in person and felt very accommodated for. Got to meet some cool people and absolutely loved the selection of films! Also cool how the films are available online for those who can't make it in person. Keep up the great work guys!

    December 2023
  • Jordan Antonowicz-Behnan

    I was very fortunate to have my film selected in this strong, consistent and all round well curated programme.

    During the day of the festival a friend also joined me and we were both very amazed about the amount of quality films and talks we were able to see, and very cheap considering that the festival is located in London's East End.
    This festival champions forward thinking cinema, in particularly the animated documentary, the festival is interested in presenting the freshest and most innovative short films in the Animadoc.

    Do consider entering if you do have a film that crosses over into the Animated Documentary!

    October 2023
  • Osbert Parker

    This is a small but brilliant festival that seemingly operates under the radar of the big gun's. FAFF showcases the most innovative animated shorts that as per the theme of the festival suggests, has a major factual element to the finished film. However, the strength comes from how filmmakers uses their imagination to communicate this in unexpected ways.

    I was surprised by the consistently, high quality of the films selected and shown in competition both in-person and online. The screening takes place in 1 day in two parts with a chance for a quick bite to eat and a chance to meet the friendly and down to earth filmmakers. FAFF is a must for anyone interested in what is happing at the forefront of animated shorts regardless of genre.

    November 2022
  • Yuval Haker

    Lovely festival! Really wish I could have attended in person, the films well all so cool and the communication was great. Thanks for showing my film Covid Loop!

    November 2021
  • Dan Sokolowski

    Really great festival. Great idea to concentrate on this hybrid genre.

    October 2021