Short Films can be submitted to The Northern Animation Network for consideration in Viborg Animation Festival 2026
https://filmfreeway.com/NorthernAnimationNetwork

VAF is Denmark’s largest international animation festival and a celebration of all things animated! And in 2024 it became BAFTA-qualifying.

The VAF film program is all about presenting great film experiences, where the audience meets and experiences the artists' desire to tell stories and to experiment with animation as craftsmanship.

In addition to the film program VAF also presents workshops, exhibitions, talks, cultural events and an vast industry track featuring seminars and conferences.

VAF is a non profit festival and is held each year in September in Viborg, region of Jutland, Denmark.

Awards & Prizes

VAF Best Short Film Award €600
VAF Best Experimental Award €600
VAF Best Graduation Award €600
Zeitgeist Award €600 – given to a film that best represents a current topic
Children's Choice Award
Audience Choice Award
New Danish Talent Award (only Danish produced animated short film) Prize of 25.000 DKK (€3345) + a residency in Filmværksted Viborg.
ANIDOX:VR Award (submission via https://anidox.com/anidoxvr/)

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS ONLY ACCEPTED THROUGH NORTHERN ANIMATION NETWORK
https://filmfreeway.com/NorthernAnimationNetwork

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. It is eligible for any film created frame by frame, in any technique (analogue, digital, or mixed).

2. All genres are welcome.

3. The use of AI in the final production must be declared in the submission under specifications. VAF has the right to inquire about the software, process, and making of the film.

4. Language: All films must have English subtitles, also when the spoken language is English.

5. Duration of the film (including credits): max. 30 minutes.

6. Film must be completed in 2025 or 2026.

7. VAF does not accept re-submissions from previous years.

8. VAF does not pay screening fees to the films in competition during the festival.

9. Only online digital submission.

10. For cinema screening formats must be PRORES. For selection screening low quality copies are accepted.

11. By submitting your film to any category, you also accept that the film can be nominated in VAF’s Zeitgeist Award and Audience Choice Award.

SELECTION

Entrants will be notified of the selection result no later than mid-June 2026.

The VAF team will organize a selection committee to be in charge of the final selection for the competitions. Afterwards the VAF team will select a jury for each competition, all consisting of three members. The juries will be awarding the prizes of the films in competition.

If your film is selected, we will need this:
1. The film in PRORES AND MP4.
2. Hardcoded English subtitles, if the film has dialogue.
3. A press kit including a short resume of the film and high res stills from the film.
4. That all film and music rights and clearances have been obtained by the filmmakers (in accordance with copyright laws).
5. Relevant social media handles, if any.

We will send out more information on email.

VAF is authorized to use a short excerpt of the film (max. 30 seconds) in a radio, TV, social media, and/or video program presenting Viborg International Animation Festival.

VAF is authorized to screen the winning films from VAF2026 as part of a special screening of VAF2026 in cities in Denmark.

6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • ivan miguel

    I attended to VAF this year for first time and I cannot remark enough the great experience that it was. A great event with the whole city dedicated to the event and being organized by an animation school mixes a great mix of professionals, educators, students and artists from several disciplines and industries. An attendant referred to VAF like "a smaller cozy version of Annecy"

    The whole organization were immensely great hosts (and I can talk of that in first hand when I hit my head and started bleeding and they got sure accompany me to the nearby hospital to be sure I wasn't suffering a concussion) and got sure I wound be enjoying the event to the fullest.

    The communication was impeccable, the quality of shorts, with different levels of production, was always mind-blowingly high. From dinners, talks to the closure party were many opportunities to network with other professionals and passionates of animation.

    Our short "The untranslatable Forest" was nominated in two categories but we didn't bring any award home but the chance of assisting such as good festival was the win in itself.

    Thanks for all Marie, Jane, Sandra, Niki and the rest of the organization!

    December 2024
    Helpful
  • Tamás Rebák

    Very professional atmosphere and friendly vibes at the same time.

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Nikola Radulovikj

    I'm very happy to participate on Viborg animation festival! I will submit my future works and I hope I will attend next time!

    October 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Looking forward to seeing your work and hopefully welcoming you to Viborg!

  • Nikolaus Jantsch

    Great Festival, Viborg is a charming little town, the festival is very well organised. Interesting screenings and side events. Especially for Vr you can find some really exiting events.

    October 2022
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks!

  • Julia Tagger

    Just want to be back soon to this amazing place full of super creative environment.
    Excellent experience.

    October 2022
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks
    :-)