www.OpenWorldAnimation.com
www.TheAlternativeGallery.com

Open World Animation Festival encourages creators to explore the frontiers of animation through both traditional & emerging mediums. Its mission is to help general audiences understand the artistry in animation and its diversity of subject matter. It aims to showcase many voices, styles, & perspectives. Anyone is welcome to take part!

For the 2025 Festival we are partnering with the Roxy Theatre as our official screening location! This 450-seat venue is one of only 600 surviving independent theaters in the Nation. The Roxy Theatre is equipped with DLP Cinema for a state of the art cinematic experience!

http://www.roxytheaternorthampton.com

Open World also features animation retrospectives, Virtual Reality set-ups, GIF displays, a cereal bar & more!

The festival began in 2016 as a series of independent animation screenings from around the world, curated in a 4-day celebration of the medium. Open World is organized by the Alternative Gallery, a non-profit community art space, and is run 100% by volunteers.

The Alternative Gallery is located in Allentown, PA within the Cigar Factory Artist studios, featuring; exhibit & performance spaces, over 40 artist studios, a printshop, wood shop, darkroom, film archive, makerspace, classrooms & more. The organization & festival are both run 100% through the efforts of dedicated volunteers.

Awards & Prizes

- The Voyager Award (Best In Show) - $2,000

- Best Animated Short

- The Immersive Award (VR)

- Best Music Video

- Best Student Film

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION CRITERIA

Submissions Open February 1, 2025

Early Submissions Open: February 1
Early Submissions Close: March 31

Regular Submissions Open: April 1
Regular Submissions Close: June 30

Extended Submissions Open: July 1
Extended Submissions Close: August 31

Notification Date: October 1

COST

Early Submissions
$10
$5 - students

Regular Submissions
$15
$10 - students

Late Submissions
$25
$15 - students

FILM LENGTH: 10 SECONDS - 120 MINUTES

GIFS: Please send to - Contact@OpenWorldAnimation.com

ELIGIBILITY: Only films made after December 31, 2021 are eligible to compete for awards.

LANGUAGE: ANY (Please include English subtitles if not in English.)

STYLE: Any style that is considered animation, including but not limited to: Stop Motion, Digital & Computer, Film Cel, 3D, Claymation, Rotoscope, Mixed Live Action/Animation, Music Videos, Video Game Cutscenes, Virtual Reality & GIF.

ASPECT RATIO: ANY. We are open to unique framing methods. Please note if there are any special instructions for screening your film.

You may ONLY submit work which you own or have licensing for.

Films MUST be viewable in their entirety to be eligible.

If accepted, you will be contacted with additional information. Please note that due to high number of submissions & requests, we may not be able to respond to every inquiry.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eric Lee

    Thank you for selecting our film, we look forward to join in later editions with our new works!

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Milos Tasic

    It was an honour to be included in your festival’s program. Thank you, and I wish you all the best with the festival.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Linda Kudzmas

    This is a great festival. It mixes independent animators with studio animations with all different styles. It had a great representation of international animations. The venue, the Roxy, is one of the best venues I've attended. Well worth the price of admission. The organizer, Brandon was great. He helped the animators in attendance network. I'd defiantly enter again.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Paul Johnson

    Excellent organization, communication, and adulation from Open World, thanks for ducking and weaving with covid so skillfully and putting on the best show possible. Dance Dog Dance thanks you.

    August 2020
    Helpful
  • Camilo Anaya

    Thank you for selecting and showing DD!

    August 2020
    Helpful