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

As it has been for so many of us, 2020 and at least the first half of 2021 have been tough and filled with obstacles. As a festival our primary concern was to keep the event going and to try to make it a live event as soon as possible, in whatever way we could. The real success of any festival is in getting filmmakers together in-person, to celebrate their work and be able to network - with colleagues and industry insiders.

Having said that, we only recently found out that our previous venue and home, The Mayflower Club, has had to close permanently due to the economic impact of the pandemic. With so many similar venues also closing, we thought we would have to close for good too. But, after a long and hurried search, and at the 11th hour, we were lucky to find a new venue, the Burbank Moose Lodge. We were able to secure it for our celebratory Awards Night and screening. We will be hosting our live return with a celebratory Awards Night on Saturday Dec 4th 2021.

As with the Mayflower Club, there'll be a full bar and snacks available, live music, celebrity guests, prizes and complementary winners photo ops on the festival step and repeat.

We will be giving out awards for both 2020 and 2021 on the night and screening highlights from both year's entries. Having lost our primary venue at such very late notice means we won't be able to screen all 'official selections' in their entirety this year. But we hope you understand and will join us in celebrating our live return at our special party. We're just very thankful we've found a new home at such late notice.

And as a "Thank You" to all our winning 'official selections' for both years, entry will be free (RSVP required - as space is limited). We will reach out to everyone as we get closer to the date.

We continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation from a global perspective. Our priority is to create a safe environment for all attendees, following the health and safety protocols set forth by the state of California.

Be safe and well.

The LAAF Team

Awards & Prizes

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

WINNING features will be offered the opportunity of having their work distributed through FILMFEST DISTRIBUTION.

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.

30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • chiara feriani

    Very kind people, very good organisation!

    March 2021
    Helpful
  • Ellen Boscov

    We are happy that our film was a FINALIST at Los Angeles Animation Festival. They put a lot of thought into communication and into recognizing outstanding films. FINALIST don't screen at the festival. But we were glad to receive the recognition. Thank you LAAF!

    December 2020
    Helpful
  • Rich Webber

    Brilliant festival thank you so much for selecting my short animation and for the awards I feel very honoured to have been a part of your festival.
    many thanks
    Rich.

    December 2020
    Helpful
  • Richan Li

    I am really honored and encouraged that my animation Babble Bubble was selected and awarded! Thank you for this great opportunity!

    December 2020
    Helpful
  • Frank Hays

    I felt incredibly honored to have my script, Circus Animals, finish as an award winner - Best Unproduced Screenplay (Silver Award). It was a pleasure to be a part of your contest. GREAT COMMUNICATION. Thank you, Los Angeles Animation Festival.

    frankhays.com
    Circus Animals

    December 2020
    Helpful