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

LAAF 2018 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.

Awards & Prizes

WINNERS will receive $1000 (current total value) worth of prizes, awards and benefits from our many sponsors - TBA.

WINNERS will be offered the opportunity of having their work featured in a non-exclusive AMAZON VIDEO distribution deal - as part of a LAAF Packaged TV series.

ALL ENTRANTS will be put in a prize draw - prizes TBA shortly.

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.

We also promise an unprecedented LAAF networking experience - with a full bar, lounge and dining area for informal socializing before and after screenings and panels.

Rules & Terms

LOS ANGELES ANIMATION FESTIVAL (LAAF) rules are very basic but necessary. Please take a look 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 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.
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Louis Morton

    Great festival! I had a lot fun at the screenings and was very happy to be one of the award winners. The staff was very friendly and helpful. It's great to have this in L.A., I look forward to submitting to the next edition!

    December 2018
    Helpful
  • Zoey Lin

    It’s wonderful festival with great films, communication and hospitality!! I love the positive and cheering atmosphere in the festival. We all laugh, share and embrace glorious moment together.

    December 2018
    Helpful
  • Joseph Clift

    Great festival run by great people! Miles and co were very communicative and made us filmmakers feel at home. The awards ceremony was awesome and the festival was well curated with a lot of great stuff to see and do. If you like animation, you should go to this festival. If you are an animator, you should submit to this festival.

    December 2018
    Helpful
  • Maki Yoshikura

    Sadly, I wasn't able to attend the festival, but everyone from the team was very helpful on-line, and kept me updated what was going on etc. It looks like the festival was a great success. I'll definitely enter their festival again if and when I have another film!

    December 2018
    Helpful
  • Adolfo Ruiz

    It's been great to be nominated and awarded there! I've seen some other movies and the quality was high. I haven't reviewed Communication, Hospitality, and Networking because I couldn't be there, but I'm sure it was great.

    December 2018
    Helpful