Fest Anča International Animation Festival 2026

Festival Description:

Fest Anča International Animation Festival – the only Slovak multimedia festival focused on animated film – is based in a former train station that has been transformed into a vibrant cultural center. It is the first film festival in Slovakia with the prestigious status of Academy Awards® Qualifying Festival. 

The festival aims to showcase contemporary, progressive animated films, and commemorate the cream of the genre. The long-term vision is to approximate well-known international festivals by uniquely showcasing this art form in Slovakia. The festival features an international competition of animated short films and music videos, as well as non-competitive screening sections. Attendees can additionally enjoy presentations, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings for children, and numerous accompanying events.

2026 Call for Entries

Only short animated films and music videos under 30 minutes – completed after January 1, 2024 and submitted with English subtitles – are accepted into the Festival’s competition program.

At Fest Anča 2026 you can compete for Anča Awards in the following categories:
– Best Animated Short (€1500)
– Best Student Animated Short (€1000)
– Best Animated Music Video (€1000)
– Best Animated Short for Children (€1000)
– Best Slovak Animated Short (€1500)

• Festival Regulations and submit via FilmFreeway
• Deadline: 30 Nov 2025, (earlybird, free entry), 31 Dec 2025 (regular, 5  EUR),  31 Jan 2026 (late, 10 EUR fee)
  
  

2025 Festival Coverage 

• Sawako Kabuki Animation Masterclass at Fest Anča 2025 (GoCritic! Review)
• Extremely Short Films at Fest Anča 2025 (GoCritic! Review)

2024 Festival Coverage

• Animation Doc section review (GoCritic!)
• Slovak Competition: Exploration of Boundaries (GoCritic!)
• Animation Music Videos at Fest Anča 
• Interview with Nikita Diankur (GoCritic! Review)
• 12 Animation Features for Fest Anča

2023 Festival Coverage

• Slovak Competition programme report (GoCrtic! Review)
• 'Utopias' Programme overview (GoCritic! Review)
• Extremely Short Films (GoCritic! Review)

2021 Festival Coverage

•  Fest Anča: Thee Unmistakable Spirit of Independent Animation
• Polka Dot Boy, Naked in the Fest Anča Winners
• Fest Anča Showcases Non-Traditional Traditions
• Selection Results

2020 Festival Coverage

• Award Winners
• Selection Results

2019 Coverage

• Anča Award 2019 goes to Nikita Diakur’s Fest

NB: 2026 Festival Dates are tentative