Ottawa International Animation Festival

The 2026 awards include grand prizes for short and feature animation, together with category awards for animated short, student, commissioned and platform animation, and films for young and teen audiences. Craft awards recognise script, design, animation technique and sound design. Other prizes include the audience-selected Public Prize, the Canada Media Fund Award for Best Canadian Animation, Best Canadian Student Animation and the Hélène Tanguay Award for Humour. The juries may also give honourable mentions. The festival award sculptures are designed by Ottawa artist Tick Tock Tom.

The published 2026 regulations accept original animated works completed after 31 May 2025. Entry is free through the official Eventival form, with each film submitted to one category. The categories cover animated shorts, commissioned work, student films, features, young audiences, teen audiences and platform animation. Shorts have a suggested maximum of 30 minutes; the feature category is for films over 40 minutes. Series entries are limited to one episode. Fully AI-generated works are ineligible; AI-assisted work must show human artistic involvement. Submission requires an online screener accessible without a specific account, English subtitles for relevant non-English dialogue or text, three film stills, a director photograph and biography, and a trailer where available. Selected works require a digital screening copy. Each entry is considered for competition and Panorama; the selection team may change its category. A selected film cannot be withdrawn after its participation is publicly announced. Independent, non-commissioned selected films receive artist fees. The full regulations and FAQ on the official website govern eligibility and delivery requirements.