Animest Bucharest International Animation Film Festival 2026

Festival Description

Animest International Animation Film Festival is the only festival in Romania dedicated to animated film. It was founded in 2006, and gathers films from all over the world, in six competitive categories, both for short and feature film, ample retrospectives, and focuses on various countries, animation studios, and film schools. Every year it welcomes international filmmakers, producers, festival programmers, and journalists to Bucharest. Workshops, masterclasses, special events, concerts and parties are open to the festival guests and audience. The festival is Academy Award-qualifying.

Zippy Frames coverage of Animest International Animation Film Festival includes selection announcements, award winners, film reviews, interviews, and festival reports.

Animest Festival Call for Entries

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

(2026 Archive)

The festival comprises eight official competitive categories:

• Short film (less than 50 min): animated short films made after January 1, 2025, which have not previously competed in any Animest festival.
• Feature film (more than 50 min): animated feature films made after January 1, 2025, which have not previously competed in any Animest festival.
• Anidocs: animated short documentaries made after January 1, 2025, which have not previously competed in any Animest festival.
• Student film: animated short films made by a student or a film school (graduation films or not) after January 1, 2025, which have not previously competed in any Animest festival.
• Romanian short film: Romanian animated films (local productions or co-productions) completed after January 1, 2025.
• Minimest: animated short films presenting an interest for a public of children aged 4 to 14, made after January 1, 2025, which have not previously competed in any Animest festival.
• Music video: animated short films made after January 1, 2025, primarily together with existing music covering minimally 80% of the footage.
• VR animation: animated short films using virtual reality.

 In order to be selected for competition, the films must be at their first screening in Romania (except for Romanian short films).

• There is no registration fee
• Entry Form 
• Festival Regulations
• Deadline: 1 July 2026
  

Browse the Animest Festival Coverage Archive