On September 27th and 28th, The Second Annual Duck and Red Octopus Short Funny Animation Festival will take place in Cortland, New York.

Last year’s festival was a huge success. The Celebrity Judges entertained and educated the sold-out crowds and talented filmmakers from around the world. The festival’s host - the world-renowned Ake Gallery - was filled with art from celebrated animators Peter Hannan (Creator of Nickelodeon’s “Catdog”), music from composers Martin Olson (from Disney’s Phineas and Ferb and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time), and a sold-out performance from comedian and filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait.

This year the Short Funny Animation Festival is will be bigger and better with an in-person appearance from Spongebob himself, Tom Kenny, a special concert, and even more impressive celebrity judges.

The sequel to the Duck and Red Octopus Short and Funny Animation Festival is going to be even more spectacular than the original!

Stay tuned for our schedule of workshops, guest speakers, film premieres, and comedy and musical performers.
CATEGORIES

Funniest Stop Action Short
Funniest Animated Short
Funniest Under 1 Minute Animated Short
Funniest Under 1 Minute Stop Action Short
Funniest story stop-action or animation
Funniest Short From Central New York
Funniest Youth Short From Central New York
Audience Favorite Stop Action
Audience Favorite Animation

LIST OF JUDGES

Tom Kenny
Bobcat Goldthwait
Martin Olson
Peter Hannan
Gene Grillo
Duck
Red Octopus
Michelle LoGerfo
Peter Hartsock

Awards & Prizes

Funniest Stop Action Short
Funniest Animated Short
Funniest Under 1 Minute Animated Short
Funniest Under 1 Minute Stop Action Short
Funniest Short From Central New York
Funniest Youth Short From Central New York
Festival Audience Favorite Stop Action
Festival Audience Favorite Animated

Rules & Terms

General Rules
The 2nd Annual Duck And Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival will take place in Cortland NY on September 27-28, 2024

All submissions must be animated.
All submissions must be under 5 minutes.
All submissions must be comedic in nature.

Submission Deadline
Submissions will be accepted from April 20, 2024.
July 20, 2024 is final deadline.

Submission Fee
There is an $8 submission fee.

Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
Unique approach to animation
Hilariousness
Strength of story
Quality of narrative and production values
Independent nature of the production

Submission Format
Films must be submitted on a downloadable link
All entries (except the under 1 minute entries) must be no longer than 5 Minutes.

Submission Eligibility
All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 1822.
There is no premiere policy for submission.
Premiere Status
There is no premiere policy.

The Duck And Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival endeavors to complete all selection procedures by August 1, 2024 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time.
The Duck And Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival will take place from September 27 to 28, 2024.
The Duck And Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival aspires to provide the best quality projection possible but will not be held liable for any failure in the technical quality of the projection.
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of The Duck And Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival. While every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, The Duck And Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. The Duck And Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jacob Brasser

    Sadly we were not able to attend, however this festival was exceptionally encouraging through multiple network communication types and we will definitely take the opportunity to submit again! Great festival and loved the selections they chose! Very eclectic in all the great ways for animation!

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Chris PUGH

    The best festival I've ever submitted to! Great to be kept informed throughout the selection process. Good interaction on social media and winners announced promptly. Nice to get positive feedback on submissions too.

    Great fun and created a sense of community. Thanks!

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Joshua Romeo

    Awesome event with so many incredible people. Looking forward to the next one.

    September 2023
    Helpful