Animafest Zagreb

Festival Description:

The World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb, established in 1972, is the second-oldest film festival in the world, completely dedicated to animation. Launched thanks to the global reputation of the filmmakers sprung from the Zagreb School of Animation, founded based on the decision of ASIFA, the International Animated Film Association, Zagreb Film production company, and the City of Zagreb, Animafest Zagreb takes place every year early in June. Until 2005, the festival was held biennially and afterward continued in the annual rhythm, devoting even years to short films and odd years to feature films. After Zagreb Film and Zagreb Concert Management, in 2007 the festival organization was taken over by the private production company Hulahop with the aim of further development and balancing the program with the requirements of contemporary tendencies, approaching broader audiences and providing added value to professionals.

Animafest Zagreb always has been, alongside festivals in Annecy, Ottawa, and Hiroshima, a part of the obligatory circuit in the animation community’s calendar. Animafest’s Grand Prix winners directly qualify for the Academy Award and the European Animation Award.

Since its establishment in 1972, this festival and its competitions, retrospectives, presentations, exhibitions, pitching forums, lectures, awards, panoramas, workshops, and all other additional events have consistently influenced and greatly contributed to their city’s artistic life, as well as the promotion of animation art throughout the world.

Zippy Frames coverage of Animafest Zagreb includes selection announcements, award winners, film reviews, interviews, and festival reports.

Animafest Zagreb Call for Entries 

2027 Animafest Zagreb call for entries - Currently not open. Submission details will be reported here when announced by the festival.

(2026 Archive)

All short and feature animated films completed after 1 January 2025 are eligible to apply.

Short films (maximum running time 40 minutes) can be submitted to the following competition categories:

• Short Film Competition
• Student Film Competition - films produced in an educational institution (art schools and film schools)
• Films for Children and Youth Competition
• Croatian Film Competition - films whose majority producer is Croatian and/or films by Croatian directors.

Feature films (minimum running time 40 minutes) can be submitted to the following competition category: Feature Film Competition
Films compete for awards that are given by international juries. There is no entry fee.

• Application
• The submission deadline for short films in all categories is 1 February 2026.
• The submission deadline for feature films and VR projects is 15 March 2026.

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