Let’s kill the myth once and for all: Animation is not just for children. Consider the emotional depth of Pixar films, Hayao Miyazaki’s dreamscapes, the political fire of 2007’s “Persepolis,” and the existential dread of 2015’s “Anomalisa”—you’ll see that animation has proven itself as one of cinema’s most versatile and powerful mediums.
Now, with animation tools more accessible than ever, film festivals have become crucial platforms for emerging animators to experiment, innovate, and tell stories that would be impossible to capture any other way.
Here are five upcoming animation film festivals where your work belongs.
1. Animation Dingle
Regular deadline: Nov. 3
Late deadline: Dec. 8
The wonderfully named Animation Dingle has been running in Ireland for 14 years. The country’s most prestigious animation festival unfolds over three days in the picturesque, coastal town of Dingle.
Initially created as a way to screen animation films from students, the festival has since grown to include and support filmmakers of all ages through various workshops, panels, and networking events. The winner of its Best Irish Professional Short Award becomes eligible in the Animation Short Film category of the Academy Awards.
Special guests at the event have included Richard Baneham (“Avatar”), Peter Lord (“Chicken Run”), Bob Peterson (“Up”), and Allison Rutland (“Onward”).
Animation Dingle will run March 19–21, 2026.
2. Los Angeles Animation Festival
Late deadline: Nov. 7
L.A.’s only international animation festival takes advantage of its location in the heart of Hollywood by including various luminaries of the genre. Past attendees have included writer-director Brad Bird; animators Chris Prynoski, Bill Plympton, and Peter Chung; and Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Launched in 2007 with the intention of helping independent and student filmmakers, LAAF now brings together the city’s vast array of animation talent so they can network and discuss future collaborations.
The festival hands out prizes for best character-based, experimental, drama, comedy, and documentary short, as well as for music videos, promos, children’s media, feature, and unproduced screenplay. Winning features will also be offered the chance to have their work distributed through FilmFest Distribution.
Los Angeles Animation Festival will run Dec. 6–7.
3. Brighton International Animation Festival
Regular deadline: Nov. 30
Late deadline: Dec. 30
While it might only be four years old, the Brighton International Animation Festival has already established itself as a must-attend event for animators across the U.K. The festival was founded and is directed by filmmaker Kate Jessop, who teaches animation at the University of Brighton. Her aim was to bring her students together with leading animators across the world at the decadent Brighton Dome.
The event screens an eclectic array of animated films, including an annual LGBTQ+ program, as well as workshops that are aimed at both beginners and experienced animators. Its categories include shorts under 10 minutes, films between 10 and 40 minutes, features, and student work; it is a BAFTA-qualifying festival.
Brighton International Animation Festival will run April 24–26, 2026.
4. British Animation Film Festival
Regular deadline: Dec. 19
Late deadline: Jan. 9, 2026
Extended deadline: Jan. 30, 2026
Now entering its 15th year, the British Animation Film Festival has regularly celebrated the best in British and international animation. On top of handing out awards for best music video, short, student, TV series, and TV episode, the event also celebrates the best sound design, music, rising star, and screenplay—all of which unfolds within the hallowed walls of the British Museum.
Organized by the Film Festival Guild (which also hosts the British Independent Film Festival, the British Horror Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of Wales), the British Animation Film Festival is the ideal event for emerging filmmakers to stand alongside industry professionals and watch animated films of all different budgets, styles, and genres.
The British Animation Film Festival will run March 28, 2026.
5. International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR
Regular deadline: Jan. 19
Held in Poznań, Poland, with around 16,000 people regularly in attendance, the International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR has been attracting animators and filmmakers for 18 years.
Its categories include best international animated short, international animated feature, Polish animated short, and international animated series. The winner of the Golden Pegasus for best international short film also qualifies for Academy Award consideration.
Notable guests at the festival have included filmmakers David Silverman (“The Simpsons”), Stephen and Timothy Quay (“Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass”), and Michaela Pavlátová (“Words, Words, Words”); producers Julie Roy (“The Tesla World Light”) and Ron Diamond (“Gladiator II”); and representatives of other events from across the globe, like the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and Animafest Zagreb.
International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR will run July 4–12, 2026.
