Festival · Conference · Career Fair

Celebrating Inspiration & Innovation in the World of Animation

From 29 October to 1 November 2020, Spark CG will host the 12th annual SPARK ANIMATION FESTIVAL. A multi-stream event, SPARK ANIMATION thrives on bringing together industry experts with new talent.

Over the years, SPARK ANIMATION has attracted top animation talent from around the world, and many of the projects recognized at the festival have gone on to win numerous awards — including Oscars. Notable titles include “The Dam Keeper” (Academy Award nominee), “We Can’t Live Without Cosmos” (Academy Award nominee), “Bear Story,” (Academy Award winner in 2015), “Dear Basketball” (Academy Award winner in 2018), “Weekends” (Academy Award nominee), "Bao" (Academy Award winner in 2019), “Late Afternoon” (Academy Award nominee), and “Sister” (Academy Award nominee) among many others.

In addition to our inclusive mix of styles, languages and a world-class jury, SPARK ANIMATION is now Oscar®-accredited. The winner of the “Best in Show” prize will be eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film category of the Academy Awards® without a standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.

SPARK ANIMATION 2020 will feature a series of regional, national and international short and feature films programmed over a variety of programs, as well as filmmaker workshops, and mixers. Filmmakers and producers of festival selected projects will receive complimentary passes with full access to the conference, festival, and career fair, as well as access to special presentations and networking opportunities.

We are looking for animated projects from all over the world including:
• Animated Feature Films
• Animated Short Films
• Animated Student Films
• VFX Short Narrative
• Commissioned Animated Works or Films including Music Videos, Commercials (including PSAs & Self-Promotion), Game Cinematics and Trailers (real-time or pre-rendered)

Accepted Styles:
• Computer animation (2D & 3D)
• Traditional animation
• Stop-motion animation

Important Dates:
• Festival: October 29 – November 1
• Conference: October 31 – November 1
• Workshops: October 31 – November 1
• Career Fair: October 31

We are committed to the health and safety of everyone involved with SPARK ANIMATION, and while we are currently planning on an in-person event, our team is also developing contingency plans should we have to limit or cancel the physical event. Filmmakers will be notified of changes as they are confirmed.

About Spark Computer Graphics Society:
The inaugural SPARK ANIMATION Conference and Festival took place in 2008. Since its inception, the Society has been working diligently to promote and foster the local computer graphics community year-round by holding sold-out events, attracting internationally renowned speakers, and keeping abreast of how to best serve the dynamic community.

Awards & Prizes

• Best In Show
• Best Animated Short Film
• Best Animated Student Film
• Best Animated Music Video
• Best Animated Commissioned Work
• Best Game Cinematics & Trailer (real-time or pre-rendered)
• Best VFX Short Narrative
• Diversity Award
• Other prizes to be determined at judges' discretion

Rules & Terms

• Films in foreign languages must have legible English subtitles.
• Selected films will be required to submit a fact sheet. A form will be provided along with the selection notification.
• Selected films will be required to submit a high-resolution file of the project.
• Additionally, to be considered for competition, projects must:
• Be theatrical premieres in British Columbia, Canada (local graduation screenings excluded). Projects already available online or on streaming platforms still qualify.
• Projects must have been completed after January 1, 2019.

All festival award-winning projects will be screened theatrically. In the case the festival is delivered digitally, filmmakers will be contacted in advance of the festival.

All festival-selected projects may be shown as part of a curated “Best of Spark” program. Filmmakers will be contacted in advance of any such program being finalized.

By submitting, the individual or corporation submitting the project hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the project for screening (including but not limited to multiple screenings in multiple Canadian and international locations), and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.