Fantoche International Animation Film Festival

Prize structure in the 2026 competition regulations: International Competition: a three-person jury awards Best Film (CHF 10,000) and High Risk (CHF 5,000). The audience chooses the International Audience Award (CHF 7,000). Special Mentions carry in-kind awards. Swiss Competition: an international three-person jury awards Best Swiss Film (CHF 10,000), High Swiss Risk (CHF 5,000) and Fantastic Swiss (in-kind). The Swiss Audience Award (CHF 4,000) also includes a screening contract with the SRG SSR Play Swiss platform. Special Mentions carry in-kind awards. Kids Film Competition: a seven-child jury awards Best Kids Film (CHF 2,000), and the audience chooses the Kids Audience Award (CHF 1,000). Special Mentions carry in-kind awards. Youth Award for Best New Talent (CHF 3,000): an eight-member Swiss youth jury considers films by first-time directors and/or student filmmakers across the International, Swiss and Kids competitions. All films selected for competition receive a certificate. The separate Swiss Animation Industry Award, presented with the Swissfilm Association as part of Industry Day, recognises commissioned animation. A selection team chooses a shortlist; the Swiss Competition jury selects the winning work and may give a Special Mention. The winner receives a trophy and free submission to the Edi. award, subject to that award's eligibility requirements.

Competition regulations 2026 (24th edition, 1–6 September 2026). These conditions apply to the 2026 edition; the announced 2027 festival dates do not extend them to 2027. The main competitions accept frame-by-frame audiovisual animation of up to 40 minutes, completed after 31 December 2024. All animation techniques, including combinations with live action, are eligible; student films and art-film commissions receive equal consideration. Commercial advertising films are excluded. Swiss Competition eligibility covers Swiss filmmakers, filmmakers living in Switzerland, and films with Swiss producers or co-producers. Swiss entries are also considered for the International Competition. The Kids Film Competition draws its selection from the International and Swiss entries. Entry is free. The 2026 submission deadline is 3 May 2026, preferably through FilmFreeway or alternatively through the festival's Excel form. Submissions include credits, images, a synopsis and the director's filmography. Non-English dialogue requires English subtitles. Sufficiently advanced works in progress may be considered if clearly labelled in the title and at the start of the film, with completion guaranteed by 31 July 2026. Selection committees may also consider entries for non-competitive programmes. Selected entrants receive notification by email. The withdrawal deadline is 25 June 2026; withdrawal is prohibited afterwards. Non-selection notifications are due by 7 July, and the selected-film list is published on 8 July 2026. Invitation and accreditation forms and final screening copies are due by 31 July 2026. Screening copies must be unencrypted DCP at 24, 25 or 30 fps, or ProRes 422 HQ; 5.1 sound is recommended, with stereo accepted. The festival provides competition subtitles without charge when entrants supply a complete time-coded original transcript and English translation. Where possible, accommodation and meals are provided for one team member; travel support may be available. Selected films may receive multiple festival cinema screenings without screening fees. Online screenings require prior agreement. Some entries are available to accredited press and filmmakers in the FilmFreeway library until the end of October 2026; selected films enter the festival archive for academic research. Entrants authorise free promotional use of extracts or trailers limited to 10% of the film's duration. Awarded films may be screened without fees in Switzerland from September 2026 to August 2027 and made available in low resolution through the Fantoche AR application until September 2027; overseas screenings require prior negotiation. Entrants must hold the necessary literary, dramatic and music rights, guarantee the screening rights and permit use of submitted information and photographs in festival publications and databases. Submission constitutes acceptance of the regulations. Fantoche decides disputes; jurisdiction is Baden, Switzerland. Swiss Animation Industry Award (SAIA) has a separate 2026 call for commissioned animation: free FilmFreeway submission, no limit on the number or duration of works, completion after 30 June 2025 and a deadline of 30 June 2026. The separate regulations require substantial animation, third-party commissioning and full third-party financing, and specified Swiss production-company or qualifying Swiss director/production ties. Entrants must hold the rights or the commissioner's consent. Shortlisted or awarded works grant non-exclusive screening, broadcast and publication rights for competition publicity. The selection team chooses the shortlist and the Swiss Competition jury chooses the winner; decisions are final. Works violating human dignity, glorifying violence or containing pornography are excluded. Incorrect eligibility information can invalidate an award. The detailed SAIA regulations govern eligibility and replace earlier versions.