1. CRITERIA
Works submitted for LIFANIMA should meet the following criteria
1a. Must be either produced in Africa or by Africans in diaspora
1b. Should reflect African values, culture, history or society
1c. Should have been produced within the last 3 years.
NOA ANIMATION AWARD
Works submitted under this category must be based on the Theme: What Makes a Real Nigerian? This category is open to Nigerians only and must be no more than 3 minutes duration. There is a total cash prize of N22,500,000 available for the best three entries. Films may be in 2D, 3D or Stop Motion Animation.
2. COMPETITION
Submissions must indicate category under which the work is being submitted. Each submission must be entered separately. However, we reserve the right to place a submission into a different category where we deem necessary. Submissions must indicate rating, whether they are G, PG, PG 13 or 18.
3. FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Works produced in any language other than English must have English Subtitles.
4. CATEGORIES
2D ANIMATION SHORT
3D ANIMATION SHORT
ANIMATION COMMERCIAL
VISUAL EFFECTS
STOP MOTION ANIMATION
NOA ANIMATION AWARD
5. Films must be submitted preferably in MP4 HD, 1920 x 1080p.
6. AWARDS
Awards will be given in six categories. The Jury's decision is final.
Best 2D Animation
Best 3D Animation
Best Animation Commercial
Best Visual Effects
Best Stop Motion Animation
NOA Animation Award
AI USE POLICY FOR LIFANIMA
The festival encourages creativity, storytelling, and artistic expression in animation. Participants may use emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), provided that human creativity and authorship remain central to the work.
Acceptable Use of AI
Participants may use AI tools to support parts of the creative process, which may include:
• Idea generation or brainstorming
• Audio Enhancement
• Background elements or textures
• Editing assistance, etc.
However, since the festival does not have a specific category for AI, fully AI-generated animations with minimal human modification are not eligible.
Disclosure Requirement
All participants must disclose whether AI tools were used. Submissions must include a short AI Use Statement describing:
• The AI tools used (if any)
• The stage of production where AI was used
• The extent of AI-generated content
Failure to disclose AI use may result in disqualification.
Originality and Ownership
Participants must ensure that the submitted animation is their original work, that they have the right to use all assets, and that AI-generated elements do not infringe on existing copyrighted material.
Participants are responsible for ensuring compliance with intellectual property rules.
AI USE POLICY FOR NOA ANIMATION AWARD
Any submission with obvious use of AI will be disqualified.
Judges Decision is Final
GENERAL DATA CONSENT
USP Communications Limited, its representatives or assigns or persons authorized by it , shall have the right to use, publish or broadcast the visual, audio or video material herein described and submitted for Lagos International Festival of Animation, LIFANIMA for promotional purposes, either touched up, altered, or edited in any manner. I undertake not to prosecute any proceedings or claims or demand against the said USP Communications Limited, or any person authorized by it in respect of the use of the said visual, audio or video material so touched up, altered, or distorted.
By submitting entries, participants waive any right to inspect or approve the said material before the same may be used, published or broadcast.
