Festival Description: The Big Cartoon Festival is the largest annual animation festival in Russia. Since 2007, it has been introducing Russian audience to the best examples of Russian and foreign animation. The Festival program includes screenings of full-length films, thematic programs of short animation for adults and children, meetings with leading artists and directors, and master classes on various animation techniques. During recent years, the Festival has been held in Moscow, Voronezh, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Khabarovsk, Norilsk, Togliatti and Lipetsk, and in 2020, it was held online for the first time. The program director of the festival is Dina Goder.

2026 Big Cartoon Festival Call for Entries 

Eligibility criteria:

• The festival accepts films from 30 seconds to 150 minutes.

• All films must not have participated in the previous editions of the Festival.

• All films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
• Films are eligible for the Russian Competition if they are made in Russia or with a substantial contribution of a Russian main crew member.

• Films are eligible for the Foreign Competition if submitted in English or with English subtitles.


Jury of the International Competition of Animated Short Films presents the following prizes:

- Grand Prix for Best Short Animated Film

- Award for Best Student Animated Film

- Award for Best Animated Film for Children

- Special Jury Prize

Jury of the Russian Competition presents the following prizes:

- Award for Best Russian Short Animated Film

- Award for Best Russian Student Animated Film

- Award for Best Animated Film for Children

- Special Jury Prize

Jury of the International Competition of Animated Feature Films presents the following prizes:

- Award for Best Animated Feature Film

- Special Jury Prize

Other Prizes

- Audience Choice Award

- Critics Choice Award

- Prize of the BCF Management

Categories: 

• Russian short animated film
• Foreing short animated film
• Feature animated film

Important Information:

• Festival regulations and entry form via FilmFreeway
• Deadline: 30 June 2026 (no fee required)

Previous Festival Coverage

2020

• Big Cartoon Festival Winners 2020