London International Animation Festival

London International Animation Festival

Also known as: LIAF
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The London International Animation Festival (LIAF) is devoted to independent animation of every technique, style and genre. Founded in 2003, it screens around 300 films over ten days each year, from late November to early December, in cinemas across London, with most programmes also available on its online platform. The international competition is split into eight themed programmes, among them an Abstract Showcase given over entirely to abstract and experimental animation and the Late Night Bizarre selection. Awards such as Best Film of the Festival and Best British Film are judged by a jury, and audiences vote on the films.

Around the competition, LIAF runs a British Showcase, the student programme Best of the Next, filmmaker retrospectives, feature screenings, Screentalks and a UK Animation Industry Event, and tours programmes around the UK during the year. The 2026 edition runs from 27 November to 6 December 2026, opening and closing at the Barbican.

Country

United Kingdom (UK)

Focus

Animation

Categories

Animation, Short, Student

Dates

27 November 2026 — 6 December 2026

Awards and prizes

Awards include Best Film of the Festival (listed as Best International Film on the submissions platform), Best British Film, two Best Children's Film awards, Best Abstract Film, Best Sound Design, Best Music Score, Best Late Night Bizarre Film and Best Music Video. The submissions platform lists cash awards and prizes for the international, British and children's awards, and prizes for the other categories. The festival also uses audience voting, and award trophies are designed and produced by University of Greenwich students.

Festival rules

For LIAF 2026, films must be completed after 1 January 2025; the Festival Director may grant exceptions. A viewable online screener, with a password where necessary, is required for pre-selection. Selection is made by the Festival Director and a pre-selection committee, and entrants receive an invitation or email notification. Programme placement and screening order are at the Festival Director's discretion. Submission materials are retained in the festival archive for programming reference. Entries are also considered for the UK tour, with separate screening invitations. Preferred screening formats are DCP, H.264 and Apple ProRes. DCPs must be open, without a KDM, and accompanied by an HD digital backup of at least 720p. Film prints are generally not screened in competition; exceptions are considered individually by the Festival Director.

Contacts

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