Animafest Zagreb 2026 Opens Call for Entries
The World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb, one of the world’s most respected animation festivals, has officially opened its 2026 Call for Entries. Now in its 36th edition, the festival will take place in Zagreb, Croatia, continuing its legacy as a key gathering point for the global animation community.
Established in 1972, Animafest Zagreb stands as the second-oldest animation festival in the world, founded with the support of ASIFA (the International Animated Film Association), Zagreb Film, and the City of Zagreb. Initially a biennial event alternating between short and feature films, the festival became an annual celebration in 2005 and has been organized by Hulahop production company since 2007.
Under the artistic direction of Daniel Šuljić, Animafest continues to champion creative animation “by filmmakers for filmmakers,” embracing everything from traditional 2D and stop motion to CGI and experimental cross-media work.
Recognized as one of the “Big Four” animation festivals—alongside Annecy, Ottawa, and Hiroshima—Animafest’s Grand Prix winners automatically qualify for the Academy Awards and the European Animation Awards. Over the decades, the festival has shaped Zagreb’s cultural identity and contributed significantly to the international recognition of animation as an art form.
2026 Call for Entries
All animated short and feature films completed after January 1, 2025 are eligible to apply.
Competition categories include:
Short Films (up to 40 minutes):
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Short Film Competition
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Student Film Competition
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Films for Children and Youth Competition
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Croatian Film Competition
Feature Films (40 minutes or longer):
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Feature Film Competition
Virtual Reality projects are also eligible for submission in their respective section.
There are no submission fees, and all categories are judged by international juries.
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Short Film submission deadline: February 1, 2026
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Feature Film and VR submission deadline: March 15, 2026
Festival Dates and Contact
The 2026 edition of Animafest Zagreb will be held in early June 2026.
Email: entries@animafest.hr
Website: www.animafest.hr
Animafest remains a cornerstone of the animation world—continuing to bridge tradition and innovation, artistry and community, all within the vibrant cultural landscape of Zagreb.
