Fest Anča 2027 International Animation Festival

Fest Anča is an international animation festival held every summer in Žilina, Slovakia, and its short film competition is Oscar-qualifying. The 20th edition takes place from 29 June to 4 July 2027, and submissions are open now. Entry is free until 30 November 2026, costs €5 in December and €10 in January, and the final deadline is 31 January 2027. Results are announced by 31 March 2027.

Competition Categories at Fest Anča

Fest Anča runs several competitions:

• Best Animated Short Film
• Student Film
• Music Video
• Children's Film
• Slovak Film

The regulations explain which films belong in each category. Student films compete with each other, not with professional work.

Who Can Enter Fest Anča?

Fest Anča accepts animated films up to 30 minutes long that were completed after 1 January 2025. Directors, producers, studios and film schools from any country can submit. All animation techniques are welcome, from hand-drawn and stop-motion to 3D and experimental work. Submissions are made through FilmFreeway.

Why Enter Fest Anča?

An Oscar-qualifying festival is an important step for an animated short. A festival is also a good place to meet other animators, programmers and producers. Being selected brings screenings to an engaged audience and a credential that other festivals recognise.

Enter Early and Save

Because the fee rises month by month, entering in November costs nothing. If your film is finished, there is no reason to wait. If it is still in production, keep in mind that the deadline is 31 January and that the fee will be €10 by then.

Preparing Your Submission

Prepare a screener link, a synopsis, a director's biography and photo, stills from the film and complete credits. If dialogue is not in English, include English subtitles. Make sure the screener is the final cut and that the link and password will work throughout the selection period.

Student Films

Students and recent graduates should check whether their film belongs in the Student Film category, which compares graduation and school films with each other. Film schools often submit on behalf of their students, so ask your school before you enter yourself.

Music Videos and Children's Films

If you have animated a music video, the dedicated category gives it a fair chance against similar work. Films made for children have their own category too. Read the definitions in the regulations so your film lands where it fits best.

If Your Film Is Selected

Selected filmmakers will be asked for a screening copy in the required format and for promotional materials. Plan to attend the festival in Žilina if you can, as the meetings and conversations are often as valuable as the screening itself.

Planning Your Festival Year

Most animated shorts travel the festival circuit for one to two years. Premiere status matters to some festivals, so think about where you want your film to be seen first before you submit widely. Keep a simple spreadsheet of deadlines, fees, premiere rules and results, and set a budget for entry fees so that the costs do not get out of hand. Free and low-cost deadlines, like the November window here, help stretch that budget.

Technical Checks

Before you send a screener, watch the whole film once more on a laptop and on a phone. Check that the sound is balanced, the subtitles are timed and readable, and the end credits are complete and spelled correctly. Small errors can distract a selection committee from good work.

Things to Consider

• Free entry until 30 November 2026.
• Films up to 30 minutes, completed after 1 January 2025.
• Results by 31 March 2027.
• Deadline: 31 January 2027.

Submit Your Film

Ready to put your animated short in front of the selection committee?

Submit to Fest Anča

Regulations, categories and fees are on the Fest Anča website, and submissions are made on FilmFreeway.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 7, 2026