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 and Will Vinton.

LAAF 2019 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 will share $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 STREAMING VIDEO distribution deal - as part of a LAAF Packaged TV Channel.

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 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.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joanna Priestley

    This is a small, super charming festival with a warm atmosphere and great hospitality. The festival was held in a small hall with a bar and food and there were many opportunities to meet other filmmakers, animation professionals, studio owners and animation historians. Their special
    programs were fascinating, they had excellent projection and sound and they give out lots of awards to filmmakers. I totally recommend it!

    July 2019
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  • Santino Vitale

    I was unable to attend the festival, so I can only comment on what I experienced firsthand.
    I was impressed with the festival's prompt communication and advertising on social media was first rate.
    Also very happy to have my film "F' for Formula" win 2nd place in the Comedy category!

    January 2019
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  • Maite Schmitt

    Great festival with very good communication!

    January 2019
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  • Lynn Tomlinson

    This festival included really great films! It was exciting to win second prize for Experimental Animation!

    December 2018
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  • Perry Chen

    It was such a honor for our film CHANGYOU'S JOURNEY to win in Best Documentary category in 2018! Though we were not able to attend in person due to prior commitment to another festival overseas, our LA-based creative team was able to attend and represent our film. They had a wonderful time at screening, awards, and networking, and LOVED the animation films at the festival! We attended the 2012 edition (where Brad Bird was honored) in person and were very impressed by the qualify of the films and experience! Look forward to returning next time. Thank you to Miles and John!

    December 2018
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