Ottawa International Animation Festival 2023

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.
Those selected films will be screened during OIAF20 and judged by international juries who will view the films alongside the audience during the festival.
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.
2023 Call for Entries
Films submitted for OIAF 2023 must be produced AFTER May 31, 2022.
Feature Film
Animated Feature: An animated film over 45 minutes in length.
Narrative Short Film
Short-format, non-commissioned animated films or videos. Suggested maximum length of 30 minutes. We define “narrative” as a short structured with some sort of narrative or story (i.e. “something happens”).
Non-Narrative Short Film
Short-format, non-commissioned animated films or videos. Suggested maximum length of 30 minutes. We define “Non-Narrative” as a short structured without a clear narrative or cause-effect plotline.
Note: ‘Non-narrative’ does not mean ‘dialogue-free’. Dialogue, i.e. narration, is fine.
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 22 minutes and under. a
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 22 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 22 minutes or less.
Virtual Reality (VR). Immersive works that are created for the Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, HTC Vive/Vive Pro, or Samsung Gear VR virtual reality platforms.
Immersive works: Independent and commissioned projects including but not limited to narrative short experiences, installations, time based works, interactive works, and non-linear narrative or non-narrative experiences. If applicable, please note only one episode in any series is eligible and all submissions are limited to an experience length of 20 minutes and under.
- Full regulations
- Entry Form
- Deadline: 31 May 2023
2022 Festival Coverage
2020 Festival Coverage:
2018 Festival News (Archive):
2018 EXPOSÉ TALKS (29 Sep)
Catch a glimpse of the filmmaking creative process. Each presentation will kick off with a “Career Tidbits” blast and some will be followed by signings.
Talks Include:
You Got the Gig, Now What? - Three artists talk about what happens after you land that dream job.
Isle of Dogs: Behind-the-Scenes (With Andy Gent, Puppet Supervisor and Co-Production Designer, Paul Harrod, ‘Isle of Dogs’)
The Anatomy of an Action Sequence (with Mahyar Abousaeedi, Director of Photography - Camera, Pixar Animation Studios)
Inside Creative Development at Walt Disney Animation Studio (with Juan Pablo Reyes, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Animation Studios)
An Invisible History: Trailblazing Women of Animation (with Mindy Johnson, Animation Historian)
Event Dates
- From 20/09/2023 to 24/09/2023