Cinanima Festival 2026

Festival Description: 

CINANIMA is an animation film festival co-organized by NASCENTE – Cooperative Society with Cultural Purposes, and by the Espinho City Hall. Ever since its first edition, back in 1976, it has been working continuously to promote this form of cinema and its authors. Being a precursor of cultural decentralization in Portugal, CINANIMA has won international recognition while not belonging to the main cultural centers of Lisbon or Porto.

The Festival is organized by a non-profit association; it is approved by ASIFA – Association International du Film d’Animation – and is supported by the Ministry of Culture/ ICA I.P. – Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual, the Ministry of Youth/ Portuguese Institute of Youth, the Portuguese Tourism Institute, the Ministry of Economy and the Parish Council of Espinho. It is also sponsored by several private entities, and has formed partnerships with the media for promotion and advertisement purposes.

To many professionals, the opportunity to present a film at CINANIMA represents one of the few opportunities to show the public the result of their work and effort, in addition to the privileges to which the winners are entitled. CINANIMA’s Grand Prize winner for short films is placed on the shortlist for the Oscar© for the Best Animated Short Film nominations, as the Festival is one of the events recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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

 
Cinanima Festival Call for Entries

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

(2026 Archive)

Eligibility criteria:

• Concluded after the 1st of January 2025;
• Directed according to the definition of animation given by ASIFA: “The art of animation involves the creation of animated images using various techniques other than live action”
• In its final version;
• Not sent for selection in previous editions of the Festival;
• That combine live action with animation as long as the later represents 70% of the film.

International Competition Categories
Applicants can choose only one category of the International Competition.

Categories:

1. Short Films – films up to 50 minutes.
2. Feature Films – films over 50 minutes.
3. Student Films – Films until 30 minutes, directed by students or graduates, produced at Art Schools, Film Schools or Film Training Schools.
4. All Aboard – Among the works submitted for the Short Film and Student Film Competition, the Programming Committee may select films to be part of this new competitive section of the Festival.

 NATIONAL COMPETITION

1. A film is considered to be Portuguese when it has been directed by a Portuguese citizen or whose production is entirely Portuguese.
2. Portuguese films may also apply to the International Competition, except for films made by children and/or young people up to 18 years of age.
3. Portuguese films can enter only one of the National Competition categories:
a) ANTÓNIO GAIO Award – Best film in the National Competition;
b) YOUNG PORTUGUESE DIRECTOR Award:
i. Films directed by Children and Youngsters (until the age of 18) within the scope of educational activities or workshops.
ii. First film directed by a Young Portuguese Director (aged between 18 and 30).

• Regulations and Submit via FilmFreeway
• Deadline: 21 June 2026
  
  

Browse the Cinanima Festival Coverage Archive