Animation Marathon presents short animated films in numbered competition programmes, with online screenings available worldwide to registered viewers. Based in Athens and organised by ARS ANIMA, the festival accepts work from professional filmmakers, independent creators and students, across animation techniques and styles. Its awards include three ranked Animation Marathon Awards, special mentions, distinctions and a prize for original music.
The festival dates back to November 2015, with an inaugural programme at Romantso combining screenings, exhibitions and digital art workshops prepared with the Athens School of Fine Arts. Its history also includes screenings at the University of Athens and the municipal Serafeio. The 11th edition takes place online on 27–29 November 2026.
Festival rules
The 2026 competition accepts animated shorts completed on or after 1 January 2025, with a maximum duration of 24 minutes. Previously selected projects cannot be resubmitted. The official languages are English and Greek; all non-English-language films require an English-subtitled screening copy.
ARS ANIMA organises the festival online, with worldwide, password-protected screenings for registered users. Submission constitutes agreement to these screenings during the festival dates and acceptance of the regulations. Submitters must obtain consent from all relevant rights holders and authorised representatives.
Accepted films require a final screening copy delivered according to the organisers’ instructions; failure to supply it results in disqualification. Screening files must be MP4 with H.264 video, progressive scan, 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 fps, 1280 × 720 or 1920 × 1080 resolution, AAC audio at 48 kHz, and a maximum size of 5 GB. Any aspect ratio is accepted.
The festival may use up to 30 seconds of a film, stills and film information for promotion, including television and its website. Submitters are responsible for accurate contact details; selection notifications use the submission form’s contact information. The festival accepts no responsibility for failed contact, provides no obligation of feedback, and pays no screening fees.
ARS ANIMA decides ambiguous or unforeseen cases under international statutes and reserves the right to amend the regulations in exceptionally serious cases. The guidelines may be changed without notice. Terms updated 29 May 2026.
