Organizer Information
Fest Anča International Animation Festival is organised by the non-profit association o.z. ANČA, based in Bratislava, Slovakia (Štefánikova 16, 811 04). The festival is dedicated to the art and promotion of animated film; it celebrates animation not just for children but as a sophisticated and autonomous cinematic art form. It also supports the Slovak animation community year-round through screenings, workshops, networking, and industry forums.
Title & Description
19th Fest Anča International Animation Festival
Fest Anča invites filmmakers to submit short animated films and music videos for its 19th edition, taking place in Žilina, Slovakia, from 30 June – 5 July 2026. The festival’s aim is to develop and promote animation across the global industry and to foster creative exchange between professional animators, students, and animation enthusiasts. Selected films will compete for prestigious Anča Awards in multiple categories, and the festival will also feature non-competitive sections, workshops, retrospectives, tributes, and discussion panels.
Categories
- Best Animated Short (international)
- Best Student Animated Short
- Best Animated Music Video
- Best Animated Short for Children
- Best Slovak Animated Short (Slovak competition)
Eligibility
- Geographic: International submissions accepted via FilmFreeway.
- Films must be short animated films or music videos, under 30 minutes in length.
- Only films completed after 1 January 2024 are eligible.
- For the Slovak competition, works must have major participation by a Slovak producer or filmmaker.
- Submitted films must have English subtitles if not originally in English.
- Works must be original, “created by humans,” though the use of AI is allowed as long as the artist’s contribution is clear.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Anča Awards in the competition categories, with prize money:
- Best Animated Short: €1,500
- Best Student Animated Short: €1,000
- Best Animated Music Video: €1,000
- Best Animated Short for Children: €1,000
- Best Slovak Animated Short: €1,500
- The festival is Academy Awards® qualifying: winners in some categories (short and Slovak short) may be eligible for Oscar consideration.
- Selected filmmakers receive festival accreditation.
- The festival may cover travel and accommodation for selected filmmakers, particularly for competition entrants, depending on “current financial circumstances.”
- Visibility & promotion: The festival may use up to 20% of a selected film (max 1 min) for promotional purposes, and can publish stills in its catalogues, on social media, etc.
Application Fee
- Earlybird (until 30 November 2025): Free submission.
- 1–31 December 2025: €5 per film.
- 1–31 January 2026 (Late Deadline): €10 per film.
How to Apply
Online Application
Key Dates
- Earlybird Deadline: 30 November 2025 (free)
- Standard Fee Period: 1–31 December 2025
- Late Deadline: 1–31 January 2026
- Notification Date: by 31 March 2026
- Festival Dates: 30 June – 5 July 2026, Žilina, Slovakia
Location
Žilina, Slovakia,
Additional Details
- Once a film is officially selected, it cannot be withdrawn from the festival lineup.
- Submitted copies for competition become part of the festival’s archive and will not be returned.
- Submissions to both competitive and non-competitive sections can be selected by the festival committee.
- Submitters give Fest Anča the right to use parts of the submitted film in promotional materials and festival marketing.
- Juries consist of international experts in animation, film theory, production, and criticism.
- The festival has a Code of Conduct emphasising a harassment-free, inclusive environment for participants, filmmakers, visitors, and staff.