Ottawa International Animation Festival 2025

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.

2025 Call for Entries 

Films can only be entered into ONE category each. Only animated works completed after May 31, 2024 will be accepted.

• 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.
• 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.

• Regulations and FAQs
• Entry submission
• Deadline: 31 May 2025

2023 Festival Coverage

• OIAF Winners

 2022 Festival Coverage

• Award Winners

2020 Festival Coverage:

• Award Winners
• Selection Results
• Schedule
• Watch online

2018 Festival Coverage

• 2018 Schedule
• Selection Results