From behind-the-scenes breakdowns and high-energy industry panels to portfolio reviews, networking mixers, and one-on-one conversations with the artists shaping today’s animation landscape, there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the future of digital storytelling than SCAD AnimationFest.

SCAD’s signature celebration of all things animation returns to SCAD Atlanta’s SCADshow this September for three days packed with inspiration, creativity, and career-building opportunities. Explore the latest trends and groundbreaking work across film, television, gaming, social media, and emerging digital platforms while connecting directly with the studios, creatives, and innovators driving the industry forward.

Throughout the festival, guests can attend exclusive screenings, live conversations, hands-on presentations, and dynamic panels featuring artists, directors, producers, writers, and animators from some of the biggest names in entertainment -including Netflix, Disney, Dreamworks, Fox, Hulu, and more.

Past SCAD AnimationFest guests have included legendary creators and industry trailblazers like Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Chris Appelhans, Tasha Huo, Joe Bennett, Adam Muto, and animation icon Genndy Tartakovsky.

Whether you’re an aspiring animator, storyteller, designer, or simply obsessed with animation, SCAD AnimationFest is your chance to meet the people creating the shows and films defining the industry right now.

Rules & Terms

PREMIERE STATUS & DISTRIBUTION
While the festival always considers films that have screened at other film festivals, or are in the process of being picked up for distribution, the festival will not program films for competition that have already been released theatrically, have online digital downloads or are publicly streaming prior to the completion of the 2026 SCAD AnimationFest

FILM COMPLETION DATE: ALL films submitted for consideration must have been filmed and completed AFTER May 1, 2025.

WORKS IN PROGRESS ARE CONSIDERED, however, a second, FINAL screener can only be submitted ONCE, after the initial submission, and ONLY at the request of the festival, by August 7th. Please submit films in their most final, complete state, regardless of status. All films selected for competition MUST PROVIDE a direct, password-protected VIMEO LINK upon acceptance for judging purposes.

All entries must be submitted as an online screener. If password protected, please make sure password is typed correctly. We will notify you if your password does not work. We will not consider the film if we do not receive an updated password within the allotted time frame.

All entries must either be in the English language or be subtitled in the English language. Closed Captioning options are greatly appreciated on screeners as well.

Third parties submitting films on behalf of their clients must include the filmmaker's contact information within the submission, including a phone number. If selected, the festival will contact the filmmaker directly.

DEADLINES
All film submissions must be uploaded by the particular discount deadline. Online screeners MUST be uploaded ON or BEFORE the deadline, or the entry will be disqualified and required to submit with the proper submission fees.

Waivers are granted via invitation ONLY. NO UNSOLICITED WAIVER REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED. (SCAD students, SCAD alums, and festival alums, see below)

SCAD Students and SCAD alums must request waiver codes via animationfest@scad.edu prior to submitting their film through Film Freeway.

NO REFUNDS will be granted to any submission.

Film presentations are scheduled at the discretion of the SCAD AnimationFest and are subject to change.

EXHIBITION
Regardless of original format, all competition films screen on DCP for festival presentation. DCPs with subtitles must have the subtitles embedded in the film file. Filmmakers are responsible for providing their own DCP to the festival by uploading the file to our secure server.

JUDGING
Films chosen for the competition are judged by a select panel of jurors who are active industry professionals from various filmmaking fields. Awards are left to the sole discretion of the judges, and a committee selected by the director of the SCAD AnimationFest will make any necessary rulings. Awards are announced at the screening.

ALL FILMMAKERS will be notified on or around August 10, 2026. This is subject to change, we ask for your patience and understanding. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS before August 10th to "check the status of your film." If your request is contingent on premiere status, we will do what we can to keep you informed as to our decision. Everyone will be notified in a timely fashion. Thank you!