World Festival of Animated Film Varna 2026

Festival Description: On the Black Sea shore authors and colleagues, people from all kinds of backgrounds will meet with some of the best authors in this kind of cinema. People from all continents will present their works, and share with the spectators their stories through the magic of the moving drawings. The World Festival of Animated Film, WFAF, is an event for all kinds of filmmakers from around the globe, with our sole aim to showcase both the cultural and artistic significance of the Art of Animation. This September once again filmmakers, students, artists- amateurs and professionals, will gather for 5 diverse days on the seaside to be part of screenings from around the world, masterclasses of animation talents, rich exhibitions, workshops, and many more.

2026 Call for Entries

Categories:

• Short films – from 1 to 25 minutes
• Feature films – over 45 minutes
• Children’s films – from 1 to 25 minutes
• Students’ films – from 1 to 25 minutes
• Horror films – from 1 to 25 minutes
• Bulgarian Films - from 1 to 25 minutes
• Erotic films – from 1 to 25 minutes

Eligibility criteria:

• Projects in any animation techniques (digital 2D/3D, hand-drawn 2D, cut-outs, puppets, etc.) are accepted, including combinations with live action with the condition that AT LEAST 50% of the total length is animated.
• The film has to be completed after January 1st, 2024, and must have not participated in any competition program of previous editions of WFAF Varna.
• The duration of the project must fit the category it is submitted to 1 – 25 minutes for Short films, Student films, Children’s films, Bulgarian Films, Horror films, Erotic films, and over 45 minutes for Feature films.

The Festival is organized by the World Festival of Animated Film Association, The Festival, and Congress Center Varna with the support of the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, Bulgarian National Film Center, and the Municipality of Varna.

• Submissions via FilmFreeway
• Deadline: Early Bird March 31 2026, Late Deadline May 6 2026