Ottawa International Animation Festival 2026
Category
ANIMATION & FILM FESTIVALS
Dates
23/09/2026 - 27/09/2026
City
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Telephone
Email
Edition
50
Final submission deadline
2026-05-31
Submission/Registration Fee
No
Festival Description
Each year the OIAF’s programming team receives 2,400 plus entries. Approximately, 100 films will be chosen as competition finalists and will be notified between late June to early July. Another 40-50 films will be screened as part of the out-of-competition panorama programmes.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops, and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub and attracting more than 30,000 artists, producers, students, and animation fans worldwide.
2026 Call for Entries
Films can only be entered into ONE category each. Only animated works completed after May 31, 2025 will be accepted.
- FEATURE FILM: Animated Feature: An animated film over 40 minutes in length.
- ANIMATED SHORT: Short-format, non-commissioned animated films or videos. Suggested maximum length of 30 minutes. Both narrative and non-narrative/experimental films are eligible for this category.
- STUDENT ANIMATION: Films made by students who are either currently enrolled in a high school, post-secondary or graduate diploma or degree or were so enrolled during the films’ production.
- COMMISSIONED FILMS: Works that are funded and produced for specific commercial or promotional purposes.
Including but not limited to commercials, title sequences, station/program identification spots, music videos, and trailers. - ANIMATION MADE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES (AGES 7-12): Independent or commissioned films that are produced and distributed specifically for audiences aged 7-12. Please note only one episode per series is eligible and is limited to 30 minutes and under.
- ANIMATION MADE FOR TEEN AUDIENCES (AGES 13-18): Independent or commissioned films that are produced and distributed specifically for audiences aged 13-18. Please note only one episode per series is eligible and is limited to 30 minutes and under.
- ANIMATED SERIES: Works that are created as part of an animated series for television, streaming, or the web and are not intended for children. Please note only one episode per series is eligible and is limited to 30 minutes or less.
- Regulations and FAQs
- Entry submission
- Deadline: 31 May 2026
2024 Festival Coverage
- OIAF 2024 Winners
- Interview with Tomás Pichardo Espaillat on ‘Olivia & the Clouds’
- Lei Lei Designs the 2024 OIAF Poster
2023 Festival Coverage
- 'Zima' by Tomasz Popakul & Kasumi Ozeki - Winner Review
- ‘Miserable Miracle’ by Ryo Orikasa — Winner Review
- Festival Report
- OIAF Winners
2022 Festival Coverage
2020 Festival Coverage:
2018 Festival Coverage
Event Dates
- From 23/09/2026 to 27/09/2026
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