We invite you to be part of an extraordinary celebration of animation at the 12th annual Detroit International Festival of Animation (DIFA), scheduled for Saturday, April 3rd, 2027, at the historic Senate Theater in Detroit!

WHAT TO EXPECT: Each year, DIFA carefully selects and showcases 20-25 animated shorts, presenting a diverse array of styles, mediums, and themes. From experimental student projects to sophisticated mini-features, DIFA offers a unique platform to celebrate your creativity and connect with fellow animation enthusiasts.

VENUE HIGHLIGHTS: The historic Senate Theater, with its stunningly revitalized 1920s Art Deco architecture, provides the perfect backdrop for this vibrant event. With 784 seats, a classic concession stand, comfortable lounge areas, and secure parking, you can fully immerse yourself in the magic of animation within a welcoming and nostalgic setting.

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your talent and celebrate the art of animation. Submit your animations today!

For more information, visit difestofanim.com or follow us @difestofanim on your favorite social medias.

Detroit International Festival of Animation 12
April 3rd 2027 – Senate Theater – Detroit

Rules & Terms

Submissions are now accepted for the 2027 Detroit International Festival of Animation. We welcome animated works of all styles, genres, mediums, and contexts, whether traditionally hand-drawn, stop-motion, CGI, or any form of digital animation. As long as your work incorporates animation in some capacity, we invite you to submit.

📌 Submission Guidelines

To qualify, please ensure your entry meets the following criteria:

• You must be the film’s writer, director, producer, or distributor.
• The total running time must not exceed 15 minutes.
• Non-English films must include English subtitles.
• A review copy must be available for viewing via FilmFreeway.
• If selected, your film must be provided in a downloadable digital format.

‼️ Final submission deadline: February 1, 2027

Withdrawal Policy: Premiere status is not required for submission. Should your film be selected by another festival with exclusivity requirements, you may withdraw your film on FilmFreeway prior to our submission deadline. After official selection, films are integrated into our program and, regrettably, cannot be removed.

Screening Rights: If selected, you grant the Detroit International Festival of Animation the right to publicly screen your film at the designated venue on the date of the event.
7 Reviews
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  • Natasha Beste

    We loved celebrating at the Senate Theater! Thank you!

    April 2025
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  • Louie Corrons

    I’m really happy DIFA accepted my film! I had submitted something else the year before and I wasn’t accepted, but the following year, they asked me to apply again so I sent them another film, Froghoppers! 🐸 You never know what can happen next so keep submitting and don’t give up! Thanks DIFA for giving me a chance!

    April 2024
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  • Piret Sigus

    Dear Detroit International Festival of Animation! We are happy that our "The Turnip" was selected for DIFA program!

    May 2022
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  • Jon Wilson

    Fantastic that you managed to run the festival online and would be interested to know the viewing numbers. Thanks for inviting Winter's Blight we really appreciate it.

    April 2020
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  • Jared D. Weiss

    Festival didnt go as planned thanks to the current global situation but I have to greatly commend the festival for creating a digital alternative plan, and making sure all the artists involved still got their work featured through multiple platforms. Would definitely submit again, and hopefully get to physically go next time.

    April 2020
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