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!

Winning film takes home $1,000!

For the 2020 Festival we are partnering with the Emmaus Theatre as our official screening location! This 450-seat venue is one of only 600 surviving independent theaters in the Nation. The Emmaus Theatre is equipped with DLP Cinema for a state of the art cinematic experience!

http://www.emmaustheatre.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

Top prize gets $1,000 plus an Open World Animation Fest awards package.

All other Award Winners will receive an Open World Animation Fest awards package which Includes:

Award certificate
Digital certificate
Festival Laurel
Open World T-Shirt
Open World 2020 Poster
Film featured in special screening at Allentown ArtsFest 2020

Categories:

- The Voyager Award (Best In Show)

- Best Experimental Film

- Best Music Video

- The Immersive Award (VR)

- Student Film Award

- Best Web Series

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION CRITERIA

Submissions Open November 8, 2019

Early Submission Deadline - Dec. 31st
Regular Submission Deadline - March 31st
Late Submission Deadline - May 31st

COST
$5 per film (Early Submissions)
$7 per film (Regular Submissions)
$10 per film (Late Submissions)

FILM LENGTH: 10 SECONDS - 100 MINUTES

GIFS: Please send to - Contact@OpenWorldAnimation.com

ELIGIBILITY: Only films made after December 31, 2016 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.

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ashley Gerst

    An excellent festival - very well curated, exceptional animated films! The space was incredibly inspiring. Brandon was very welcoming, too! Overall, a great time and great festival! I hope to submit my future films to Open World Animation Festival and wholeheartedly recommend others to submit their work as well!

    July 2019
    Helpful
  • Michael Enzbrunner

    Thanks for giving this year's Voyager award to DEATH VAN! It's a true honour and I wish I could have been there in person.

    Communication with the festival staff was easy-going and professional. Great selection of films. Go submit your animated works to Open World Animation Festival!

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Sara Taigher

    Nice genuine animation festival organized by true animation lovers! It was a pleasure being part of it! Thanks!

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Irida Zhonga

    It was great being part of this festival, good communication overall and my film won 2 awards! What more can I ask?

    April 2017
    Helpful