LINOLEUM presents contemporary animation and media art in Kyiv, with a focus on independent short animated films from Ukraine and around the world. Its programme includes international and Ukrainian national competitions, a competition for commissioned films, and screenings outside competition. The festival accepts short films in a range of animation techniques, including animation combined with live action or documentary.
Its programme extends to experimental animation and video art, animation for children, and films created by children and teenagers. Ladies First highlights films by women directors. Alongside screenings, LINOLEUM offers lectures, workshops and masterclasses. The festival supports animation artists and promotes Ukrainian animation internationally, while its LINOLEUM on Tour screenings share films from the festival archive with audiences in other Ukrainian cities. The dates for the 2026 edition in Kyiv are 29 September–4 October 2026.
Awards and prizes
The 2026 regulations provide jury awards for Best Film in International Competition, Best Film in National Competition, and Best Commissioned Film.
The official 2026 results identify jury grand prizes and special mentions in the International, Ukrainian and Commissioned competitions, plus Ukrainian Film Critics Union jury awards in the International and Ukrainian competitions and a critics' special mention in the International Competition. The AI Animation Competition, introduced with HOLYWATER TECH in 2026, carries a USD 2,000 main prize.
Additional 2026 Ukrainian Competition prizes include an XPPen Artist 12 Pen (3rd Gen) tablet from Lifecom and a UAH 80,000 appflame certificate for the Ukrainian jury grand-prize recipient, and a separate UAH 30,000 electronics-purchase certificate from Foxtrot. Ukrainian films recognised by the jury also receive partner prizes including ArtHuss book certificates. Competition winners receive one-year Toon Boom Animation licences; every New Faces debut-programme participant receives a MOHO Animation licence, and all competition participants receive gifts from EVA BEAUTY.
Festival rules
2026 edition regulations. Entries are animated films of up to 20 minutes, completed after 1 January 2025. Any animation technique is eligible, including combinations with live action or documentary, but more than 40% of the production must be animated. The festival determines whether a film qualifies as animation and whether it fits the chosen category. Films entered for a previous edition are not considered. A Ukrainian premiere is not required.
Competition categories are International Competition, National Competition (Ukrainian animated films only), and Commissioned Films. Noncompetitive categories include Experimental Animation and Video Art, Animation for Children, Animation Created by Children and Teens (up to age 16), and Ladies First (films by women directors).
Submission is free, through the online entry form on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/LinoleumFestival. The 2026 submission deadline is 1 May 2026. Applications require a director photograph, three film stills at a minimum of 300 dpi, and an English dialogue list. Only the final edited version is accepted; unfinished films are ineligible. Dialogue or narration in a language other than English requires English subtitles.
Applicants declare that they are the author or rights owner and hold all literary, dramatic and musical rights. Once a selected film is invited, it cannot be withdrawn from the programme. The festival may show archive films after the competition through LINOLEUM on Tour to promote short animation in Ukrainian cities; each screening is confirmed with the authors. Submitted materials and an excerpt of up to 10% of the film, never exceeding three minutes, may be used to promote the festival. The festival pays no screening fees for selected works.
Participation and submission imply unreserved acceptance of the regulations. The entry form is valid without a signature or seal.
