Animator Festival 2026

About the festival

International Animated Film Festival ANIMATOR is one of the three festivals in Poland (and the only animated film festival) to receive Oscar® qualifying status from the American Film Academy. This means that a short film that wins the Festival's Grand Prix, the Golden Pegasus, is on a fast track to being considered for an Oscar® nomination in the Best Animated Short Film category and can compete for this prestigious award.

ANIMATOR helps authors win international recognition. It attracts attention of film industry professionals from all over the world. For the last 16 years, the Festival has won the hearts of international audiences, critics and artists. It has honoured the greatest ones and helped debutantes to earn a name for themselves.

ANIMATOR is regularly visited by recognized authors, directors, animators (Maciek Szczerbowski, Michaela Pavlátová, Theodore Ushev, Quay Brothers, Emily Hubley, Eric Goldberg, Tim Allen, David Silverman, Signe Baumane, Mike Johnson), producers (Julie Roy, NFBC, David Sproxton, Aardman Animations, Ron Diamond, Acme Filmworks, Heather Henson) and representatives of fellow animation festivals (Annecy IAFF, Ottawa IAF, Animafest Zagreb). The Festival's guests are always happy to share their experience, reveal some tricks of the trade, teach workshops and actively contribute to the event's prestige. ANIMATOR also stands for meetings, discussions, interactions and a great deal of music. Its relationship with animation is particularly cherished here. In addition to the main prizes, the International Jury awards the Special Prize for Best Music Film or Best Film Music.

Call for entries 2026

Regulations and Categories:

1) International Short Film Competition:

• duration: up to 40 minutes;
• completion date: after 31 December 2023 (films with completion date / year of production: 2024, 2025 and 2026) ;
• animation technique: all techniques are welcome (min. 51% of the film duration has to be animated)
• who can apply: arts schools, film schools, production companies, film institutions, individuals or other parties holding the necessary rights;

Grand Prix: Golden Pegasus (EUR 11 000 gross),
Best Music Film or Best Film Music Special Award - in memoriam of Wojciech Juszczak (EUR 650 gross),
Best Student Film Special Award - in memoriam of Marcin Giżycki (EUR 650 gross);
The winner of the Golden Pegasus is on a fast track to being considered for an Oscar® nomination in the Best Animated Short Film category and can compete for this prestigious award.

2) International Feature Film Competition:

• duration: above 40 minutes;

Best Feature Film Award - Feature Film Competition Grand Prix (EUR 8 000 gross)
Audience Award for the Best Feature Film

3) Polish Animated Film Competition:

• films made in Poland or made by Polish artists abroad, co-produced by Polish producers;
• duration: up to 40 minutes;

Golden Animusz - Polish Animated Film Competition Grand Prix (PLN 15 000 gross)
Polish Animation Discovery Special Award (PLN 3 000 gross)

4) International Animated Series Competition:
Best Animated Series Award - Animated Series Competition Grand Prix (EUR 1 250 gross)
Kids Jury Award for the Best Kids Series (EUR 650 gross)

5) Audience Award for the Best Short Film

6) Animated Music Videos Thematic Competition:

• duration: up to 20 minutes;
• completion date: no restrictions regarding the year of production – the Animated Music Videos Competition accepts music videos created in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as video clips realized in the first 25 years of the 21st century

Open Call Thematic Competition Award (EUR 1 250 gross)

Important information:

• Submission via FilmFreeway
• Regulations at the Festival Website
• Deadline: 19 January 2026

2020 Festival Coverage

• Festival Winners
• Festival Schedule
• Selected Feature Films 

2019 Festival Coverage

• 2019 Schedule
• Awarded films