Selected by Movie Insider® as America’s “Most Original Film Festival” and as "Denver's Best Film Festival" by the Denver Westword®, the Action Figure Film Festival (formerly know as GI JOE FEST) was created in 2005 by Gio Toninelo to celebrate the dying art form of stop-motion while paying tribute to the world's favorite posable toy: THE ACTION FIGURE. The Film Festival hosts screenings, competitions and workshops to showcase the best work within the genre. AFFF kicks off in Denver before traveling to cities around the world.

The ACTION FIGURE FILM FESTIVAL is the world's first festival dedicated to screening works by stop-motion artists who use ACTION FIGURES as main characters or actors. The Festival combines the excitement of world premiere short-films and fan tributes with the allure of Denver's nightlife. AFFF highlights up and coming filmmakers, as well as masters of the craft and has already attracted award winning films in the past years. Independent in every sense, these films share the same willingness to challenge the conventions set for stop-motion.

We are a distribution vehicle for truly indie animators that distrust the commercial film festival circuit. We are a celebration of what is possible in independent stop-motion animated films. We have also completed several national tours at 8 major US cities and even traveled abroad to places like Singapore, Slovakia, Brazil and Canada.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES:
There are only THREE main rules for our Festival:

1- Your film MUST be shot using stop-motion technique. Puppetry, wires and live action could also be used as long as it does not comprise 30% of the entire film.

2- Your main character MUST be an ACTION FIGURE (GI JOE, Marvel, DC, TMNT, Star Wars, etc.) from any franchise, maker or size. Other toys may be used in supporting roles. Barbies are OK. NO LEGOS PLEASE.

3- Your film must have a story. Do not submit animation tests or "to be continue" films.

TERMS and CONDITIONS

AFFF is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening (including but not limited to multiple screenings in multiple U.S. and International locations), and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless AFFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
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