OTTAWA — The Ottawa International Animation Festival is now accepting film entries for the 2021 festival competition.

Animated films completed after May 29, 2020 are eligible for entry and the deadline to submit is May 31, 2021. There is no entry or registration fee.

From September 22-26, North America’s leading animation festival will turn Ottawa into the center of the animation universe, bringing together artists, students, guests, and talent to create a premier event that will innovate and inspire everyone who attends. OIAF invites animators from all around the world to showcase their recent work in the following major categories:

  • Animated feature

  • Independent animated short

  • Student animation

  • Commissioned animation

  • Short animation for young audiences (0-5)

  • Short animation for young audiences (6-12)

  • Virtual reality animation

  • Animated series

Submissions must be entered through the OIAF’s new entry form powered by Eventival (no other method will be accepted) and may only be submitted to one competition category. Films must be available as a streamable-online-screener link, which must remain accessible until the end of July. Anything submitted as a file, download, or dead link will automatically be disqualified for entry.

“Despite the Pandemic, we’ve seen no sign of animators slowing down, either in the industry or on the independent side,” says Chris Robinson, OIAF Artistic Director, “It’s been quite remarkable to see how animators have adapted and continued to flourish.”

“We expect to see the same level of quality from this year’s submissions – though we’re fully expecting a lot more films about living in a Pandemic!”

The Ottawa International Animation Festival is one of the world’s leading animation events – providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. The annual five-day event brings together art and industry in a vibrant hub that attracts more than 34,000 artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world.

Every year the OIAF receives more than 2,000 entries, which are each reviewed by the festival’s programming team. Approximately 150 films will be chosen for Official Competition and Out-of-Competition Showcase screenings. In addition to category prizes, submissions will also be considered for a variety of craft awards.

For more information, including festival rules and more details about submission, visit the OIAF website.