Film submissions are now open for the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) 2026, scheduled for 23–27 September 2026.
Short and feature animated films, completed after 31 May 2025 are eligible to enter the Festival’s competition programs.
This year, the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) will award a total of seventeen (16) different prizes across four (4) main competition categories.
The 2026 OIAF competition categories are listed below.
- Feature Animation
- Animated Short
- Student Animation
- Commissioned Animation
- Animation Made for Young Audiences (ages 7+)
- Animation Made for Teen Audiences (ages 13+)
- Animated Series
The organizers accept and encourage film submissions from all over the world.
Submitted works must be original, and have some level of (non-algorythmic) human involvement in their creation. While the organizers are not opposed to AI-assisted works, submissions should at least show some sign of the artists’ hand.
The official languages of the Festival are English and French. The Festival requires all submissions with non-English dialogue to include English subtitles, where applicable.
Independent, non-commissioned films that are selected for OIAF 2026 will be paid artist fees.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub, attracting artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world.
Please check the official website for further detail and submission guidelines.
No Entry Fee!
It's free to enter.
