Step right up to Imagina AniFest, the animation extravaganza that's about to make New York City shimmy and shake with excitement! Yep, we're talking to you, animation aficionados from every corner of the globe. Our festival is like a magnetic whirlpool, pulling in a wild mix of animated films that range from those timeless classics to mind-blowing, groundbreaking creations that are basically redefining the rule book of innovation.

Hold onto your popcorn, because Imagina AniFest is waving you in to dive headfirst into animation wonderland. It's like walking straight into a community of die-hard animation fanatics who've got heart emojis in their eyes when they talk about this captivating art form.

Picture this: you're about to plunge into a wild celebration of creativity that's basically an expedition into imagination's wildest corners. These animated stories? Oh, they're like nothing you've ever seen – narratives that have been woven together with threads of pure animation magic. And as the festival unfolds, trust us, you'll feel the buzz of excitement bouncing off the walls, like a caffeine kick for your creative soul.

Don't even think about having FOMO, because you're securing your golden ticket to this one-of-a-kind event. It's a salute to creativity, imagination, and storytelling that's quirkier than a unicorn at a tea party. We've got the countdown going, and we're just itching to welcome you to a realm where animation reigns supreme.

Ready to rock the animation world? Catch you on the flip side – the side where animated dreams come true.

Rules & Terms

Rules and Regulations

Submission Guidelines for Imagina AniFest 2023:

Categories for Submission:
Imagina AniFest invites entries for short animated films across the following categories: 2D, 3D, Stop Motion, Music Animation Video and Student 2D, 3D, Stop Motion, Student Music Animation Video .

Submission Requirements:
All submitted films should be in the H.264 format for screening. The following technical specifications must be adhered to:

File Format: .mp4
Video Codec: H.264
Video Frame Rate: 24, 25, 29.97, or 30 fps
Aspect Ratio: Any
Resolution: 1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080
Field Dominance: Progressive
Audio: AAC 48 kHz

Films must have a maximum duration of 10 minutes to be considered for selection.

Non-English films must include English subtitles in the screening copy, as English is the official language of the festival.

Key Details:

Event Information: Imagina AniFest 2023 will present exceptional animated films in a physical setting, offering audiences the opportunity to experience the magic of animation on the big screen.

Screening: By submitting to Imagina AniFest, you commit to showcasing your film during the festival's scheduled dates.

Legal Compliance: Submitters must ensure that they possess all the necessary permissions from creators, writers, producers, and authorized representatives of the film. Additionally, submitters must agree to the festival's terms and conditions.

Communication: The festival's organizing committee will communicate the acceptance status of submitted films using the contact details provided in the submission form. While every effort will be made, Imagina AniFest cannot be held responsible for communication issues resulting from inaccurate contact information.

Feedback: Imagina AniFest is not obligated to provide feedback on submitted films to submitters or their representatives.

Screening Fees: The festival does not provide screening fees for submitted films.

Guideline Revisions: Imagina AniFest reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or alter any aspect of the guidelines without prior notice.

Acceptance of Terms: Submitting a film indicates acceptance of these regulations.

Contact Details:
Email: imaginaanifestival@gmail.com
Website: www.imaginaanifest.com

Important Dates:

Submission Deadline: Nov 30, 2023
Notification Date: Dec 15, 2023
Event Date: Dec 30, 2023

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Chrysoula Kakavikou

    Wonderful and beautiful festival ! Thank you so much for selecting my film !

    January 2024
    Helpful
  • Gyuri Kepes

    Revising my original review:

    "This festival is a scam and all positive reviews are fake. Avoid at all costs. There was no in person screening on the date indicated on the website as another reviewer has noted. Filmfreeway needs to do more to hold the organizers accountable."

    Perhaps it is a hyperbolic to call this a "scam" and "all posiitve reviews fake" but after doing some research, I've found many reports of similar money making schemes on filmfreeway. Festivals will take advantage of aspiring filmmakers looking to showcase their work by promising a festival experience which never happens or occurs in a "library basement" without any promotion and with a limited audience. They will then take a few photos as "evidence" that the festival occurred. Holding a "festival" a day after a film is accepted, and then not communicating this to the filmmakers is dishonest, and the while the apology was appreciated, it felt disingenuous. I have requested a refund from the festival organizers and others should too.

    January 2024
    Helpful
  • Sienna Morales

    Felt like a scam!!
    There was no communication on when the event would be held.

    I reached out multiple times to see when and where the event would be held with no response and one day before the set screening date I received an email stating " I want to inform you that Imagina AniFest has already concluded its screenings, which took place on December 3th, 2023, at Queens Library. For this edition, we opened the screening to the public without inviting filmmakers."

    Why would you not communicate with your filmmakers to let them know that there would be no screening for them to attend? Why did it say DEC 30th on both your website and on Filmfreeway? Why did they conveniently change their website after I pointed this out to them in an email?

    In the description of this festival, it says that we are "securing your golden ticket to this one-of-a-kind event" Wouldn't that mean there was a physical event for us filmmakers to attend?

    Don't waste your money submitting to this festival. It's a waste of time.

    December 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We genuinely apologize for any confusion and disappointment resulting from the change in the screening date. We are committed to refining our communication processes to prevent similar situations in the future.

    Originally, we planned to schedule the screening on December 30th. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen venue constraints and logistical challenges, we had to hold the event earlier than anticipated.

    Being our inaugural event, we are navigating uncharted territory and actively seeking audience feedback. Our intention was not to invite filmmakers for meetings. Instead, we aim to provide more talented animators with the opportunity to showcase their artwork and receive encouragement. Our dedication remains strong in promoting the selected films and enhancing their visibility.

    The audience response has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating a successful showcase of the animations. Looking ahead, we are determined to implement improvements for an even better experience for both the audience and filmmakers in our future events.

    Sincerely,
    Imagina Anifest

  • Isolde Asal

    Thanks to the festival for everything!

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Omar Carias

    Very grateful to be part of such magnificent event

    December 2023
    Helpful