From the People that run the New Jersey Documentary Film Festival and the New Jersey Comedy Film Festival, we are happy to have started the New Jersey Animation Film Festival dedicated entirely to the limitless art of animation.

We are proudly seeking animated films of all styles, techniques, and voices from around the world. From hand-drawn to CG, stop-motion to experimental, shorts to feature-length—if it’s animated, we want to see it. Comedy, drama, Anime, fantasy, documentary, abstract, student work, passion projects, and boundary-pushing experiments are all welcome.

Looking for:
Hand drawn animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, stop motion animation, claymation, cut out animation, rotoscoping, experimental animation, abstract animation, anime style animation, CGI animation, pixel animation, silhouette animation, puppet animation, mixed media animation

This festival is about storytelling without limits. Animation has the power to cross cultures, languages, and generations, and we’re excited to showcase work that reflects diverse perspectives, bold creativity, and fearless imagination—no matter where you’re from or how big (or small) your production is.

Based in New Jersey, our festival brings together filmmakers, artists, and audiences who are curious, engaged, and passionate about cinema. Our goal is to create a supportive, celebratory space where animated filmmakers from across the globe can share their work, connect, and be seen.

If you have an animated film you’re proud of—we want to screen it.

Awards & Prizes

Physical Awards will be given to filmakers for:
BEST FILM
BEST STUDENT FILM
BOLDEST CREATIVE VISION

Rules & Terms

RULES
All genres/forms accepted. Seeking all types of Animated films
Both Short and Feature length films will be considered.
All foreign-language works MUST be subtitled in English to be considered.

SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
- Short films are up to 45 minutes. Feature length films are 46 minutes or longer.
- We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status
- Applicants may submit as many entries as they wish, as long as each entry has a separate entry form and fee.
- Features must not be available online as a DVD or digital download/link for purchase. They also must not have been broadcast on television in the United States or screened theatrically in the United States prior to October 1st 2021.
- All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles.
- By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience. You are also giving us permission to promote clips and stills from your film on social media, based on the press kits you provide us with.
- Official Selection: Films selected for screening will be notified via email.
- We cannot provide refunds.
- We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions at any time.
FILMS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA ONLINE SCREENER ONLY THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PORTALS:
- FilmFreeway and its video player;
- Vimeo with its current password protected private link;
- YouTube as an unlisted link.
Passwords must not be changed until submissions have closed and notification of program films is announced.