LAAF is LA's only International Animation Festival running since 2007. Previous guests and honorees include Pixar Director Brad Bird, Sean Lennon (also Artistic Director), Bill Plympton, ‎Peter Chung, Chris Prynoski, Tom Kenny, Jerry Beck and the late great Will Vinton.

LAAF 2020 promises to screen even more indie animation than ever before and concentrate on helping animators and creators learn more about the industry - how to sell and find distribution for your work, how to pitch, how to find employment opportunities and how to adapt to current changes in the industry.

LAAF is the country's leading international animation festival since 2007 dedicated to helping indie and student filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

WINNERS share prizes, awards and benefits from our many sponsors - TBA.

WINNERS will be offered the opportunity of having their work featured in a non-exclusive STREAMING VIDEO and DVD distribution deal through FILMFEST DISTRIBUTION. Selected short films have the opportunity of being distributed as part of "LAAF's Best of..." DVD film series.

Awards are given to all our winners. Plus we offer a series of industry panels - discussing everything from storytelling to distribution - with a host of industry insiders.

The Mayflower Club venue also offers a great networking experience - with a full bar, lounge and refreshment area for informal socializing before and after screenings.

Rules & Terms

LOS ANGELES ANIMATION FESTIVAL (LAAF) rules are very basic but necessary. Please read all of the rules thoroughly before you enter.

1. Entry Rules
We accept ANY films, produced ANY year, in ANY category.

Submit the film/screenplay digitally through FilmFreeway exclusively. You may have multiple entries. We do not offer a waiver fee. Entry fees are non-refundable. We do not return submission entries. All selections are final.

2. Subtitles
Any foreign language films must have english subtitles.

3. Formats
For the selection process a digital screener must be submitted via FilmFreeway. Screenplays must be submitted as a digital PDF via FilmFreeway.

4. Publicity
We reserve the right to use extracts from submissions for festival publicity and marketing purposes.

5. Awards
BEST CHARACTER-BASED SHORT
BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT
BEST CHARACTER
BEST STORY
BEST UNPRODUCED FEATURE SCREENPLAY
BEST SHORT FROM A SERIES
BEST COMEDY SHORT
BEST EXAMPLE OF A TECHNIQUE
BEST MOTION GRAPHIC PROJECT
BEST COMBINATION ANIMATION AND LIVE ACTION
BEST ANIMATED COMMERCIAL
BEST FEATURE FILM

6. Legal Terms & Conditions

Entrant warrants that they have the full & uncontested legal right (incl. full rights to the use of the film’s music) to enter their film/screenplay work to LAAF and that the said work is not subject to nor threatened by any litigation.

Entrant holds LAAF its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from my entry. Entrants agree to defend and indemnify LAAF, its directors, officers, employees, contractors, consultants, volunteers, judges and agents against any and all claims, demands, actions, or lawsuits arising out of or related to the screening of the submitted film, performance of the music, or displaying of the art.

LAAF has the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to change the festival date or location, if deemed necessary or unavoidable, to ensure a successful festival. In such a case the festival would continue as normal, just at another venue/date TBD or operate online-only if deemed necessary or unavoidable.

20 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Henderson

    So thankful to be a part of this! Really good communication and follow-up.

    January 2020
    Helpful
  • Joe Chang

    Thank you very much for accepting my film.

    January 2020
    Helpful
  • Jada Kurian

    Lovely, intimate festival. Great for networking! I met so many fellow filmmakers. Miles was so helpful in guiding me through the steps of getting my film shown and distributed. The festival itself was wonderful and full of amazing animated films. It was followed by an awards night and I was honored to receive an award. Thank you, Miles and John, for including my film and awarding it at this festival.

    January 2020
    Helpful
  • Alexandre de Villeneuve

    Thank you again for all ! You rock !

    December 2019
    Helpful
  • Earthstar Smith

    A really excellent festival. Great communication, an amazing mix of animated short films, and very interesting panel discussions. It was a huge honor to win the special jury award at the LAAF for my film 'Asteroid Season', the experience was top notch from start to finish!

    December 2019
    Helpful