Animest 2026: 21st Bucharest International Animation Film Festival

About the Open Call

Animest is an international competition festival organized by ANIMEST, a non-profit cultural association. The festival seeks to promote animated films from all over the world and encourage Romanian production. It features eight competitive categories: Short film, Feature film, Anidocs (documentary shorts), Student film, Romanian short film, Minimest (children's films), Music video, and VR animation. Selected films will be screened between October 2 and 11, 2026.

What is Offered

Inclusion in the festival program, eligibility for the Animest Trophy and category-specific awards, and potential inclusion in 'Best of' compilation screenings.

Requirements

Films must correspond to the ASIFA definition of animation. Work must have been completed after January 1, 2025, and have not previously competed in Animest. Short films must be under 50 minutes; features must be over 50 minutes. Films must be their first screening in Romania (except for Romanian shorts). Selected films must provide DCP or high-quality digital files by September 10, 2026.

How to Apply

Applicants must fill in the online entry form through the festival's submission portal and provide at least three still images (300 dpi), a digital version of the film for preview (.mov or .mp4 format), and English subtitles.