Canlandıranlar International Animation Film Festival 2026

About the Festival: The Canlandıranlar International Animation Film Festival has been organised annually by the Canlandıranlar Association since 2011. 
Dedicated entirely to animation, the festival contributes to the development of animation culture in Türkiye through its international competition programmes, feature film screenings, retrospective programmes, masterclasses, workshops, and industry events. 
Over the years, the festival has welcomed internationally acclaimed animation artists including Peter Lord, Nelson Shin, Florence Miailhe, and many other influential figures, helping to establish lasting cultural connections between the Turkish animation community and animation professionals from around the world.

Canlandıranlar International Animation Film Festival

This year, the festival explores animation's endless possibilities under the theme "What Else?". Highlighting new forms of storytelling, experimental works, diverse techniques, and bold ideas, the theme
reminds us that animation is not only a medium of expression, but also an unlimited space for thinking, questioning, and imagining.

Guest of Honour Thomas Renoldner

A leading figure in Austrian experimental animation, Renoldner is internationally recognised for his work combining rhythm, abstraction, and film history. His short film Dont Know What received the Grand Prize at the Ottawa International Animation Festival, the Off-Limits Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and was nominated for an Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject. His latest film, Stampfer Dreams, was nominated for the Austrian Film Award for Best Short Film, and for many years he has served as Programme Director of the Animation Avantgarde section at Vienna Shorts. As part of the festival programme, he will present screenings of his films, participate in talks, and lead a masterclass at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, where he will meet audiences and emerging animation artists.

International Main Jury
The festival's International Competition Jury consists of Guest of Honour Thomas Renoldner, South Korean filmmaker and educator Miyoung Baek, and award-winning director and animator Sinem Vardarlı.

Canlandıranlar International Animation Film Festival Call for Entries

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

(2026 Archive)

Eligibility:

- Any frame-by-frame created animation (produced for cinema, television, or other screening platforms) may apply to the festival.
- Only films completed after October 2025 will be accepted. Films that have previously applied to the Canlandiranlar Film Festival will not be considered.
- Films must be no longer than 30 minutes.

Awards:

International Competition:
Best Film
Best Director
Best Script
Best First Film
Best Student Film
Best Sound Design
Best Experimental

National Competition:
Best Turkish Film
Best Script
Best Sound Design
Best Experimental

Audience Award (determined by audience voting, National & International)

Important Information:

• Application via FilmFreeway
• Application deadline: 17 July 2026