2017 Ottawa Animation Fest Opens Submissions

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), North America’s premiere festival for animated works, is now open for competition entries for 2017. This year’s edition will take place September 20-24 in the Canadian capital, celebrating the best the scene has to offer from around the world.

Submissions are due by May 26, and there is no fee to enter. The competition categories are: Animated Feature, Narrative Animated Short, Non-Narrative Animated Short, Student Animation, Commissioned Animation, Short Preschool Animation Made for Children 0-5, Short Animation Made for Children 6-12, Preschool Animation Series Made for Children 0-5, and Animation Series Made for Children 6-12.

This year notably marks a new age group division in the children’s shorts and series categories. In addition to category prizes, submissions will be considered for a variety of craft and other awards — including the inaugural Film Critic’s Prize.

“With our first 40 years behind us, we’re getting started on year 41,” says Chris Robinson, OIAF Artistic Director, “We’ve made a few tweaks. The ‘Experimental/Abstract’ category is now simply ‘Non-Narrative,’ student films have been rolled into a single category, and we have some additions: new category divisions for kids, and a brand spanking new Film Critic’s prize that will be awarded by accredited members of the Canadian and International media. Beyond that, we expect another year of groundbreaking and eclectic animation that you simply cannot see on television.”

OIAF receives more than 2,000 entries each year, which are reviewed by the Festival’s programming team and narrowed to approximately 150 films selected for Official Competition and Out-of-Competition Showcase screenings. The Festival also offers exhibits, workshops and other entertainments to its 28,000-plus visitors from professional, independent, student and fan ranks.

More information available at www.animationfestival.ca.