The Call for Entries for the 14th Tehran International Animation Festival has been officially released by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA). This significant announcement invites both Iranian and foreign filmmakers to participate in one of the region’s most prominent animation events.
According to IBland’s news, filmmakers can register their works online from November 3, 2025, to January 10, 2026. The selection process for the nominated works will be announced in the first half of February 2026.
Submission Format and Competition Guidelines
14th Tehran International Animation Festival secretariat has specified the technical requirements for film submissions to the Tehran International Animation Festival:
- Video: Format: DVD, .mov, .mp4 | Codec: H264 | Frame Rate: 24, 25, or 30 fps | Data Rate: 5000 kbps | Resolution: 1920×1080
- Audio: Codec: AAC | Data Rate: 320 kbps | Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
The “Competition” section accepts a maximum of three episodes from any series and includes commissioned films such as educational, industrial, and advertising works. A select council, chosen by the festival’s headquarters, will be responsible for the final selection of competition entries. It’s important to note that individuals involved in the production of the selected works are ineligible to serve on the jury.
New Sections at the 14th Tehran International Animation Festival
This year’s competition section introduces three crucial new categories that reflect contemporary global and technical developments:
- “Cypress and Olive” (Gaza): A special focus on addressing the crimes of global arrogance throughout history, promoting the culture of resistance, and safeguarding human dignity, particularly the land and pride of the Palestinian people.
- “Motion Graphics”: Dedicated to the art and technique of animated graphic design.
- “Artificial Intelligence (AI)”: Recognizing innovative works that utilize AI technology in their production.
For the Iranian Competition section, films produced after 2022 are eligible, while the International Competition is open to foreign films made after January 2022.
Awards and Recognition
The juries for both the Iranian and International competitions will present prestigious awards, including Golden, Silver, and Bronze Trophies for the first to third-place films. Furthermore, Golden Trophies are designated for a wide array of categories, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the Tehran International Animation Festival. These categories include:
- Best Film and Directing (Religious Section)
- Best Film (Islamic Revolution Values Section)
- Best Work on “Cypress and Olive” (Gaza)
- Best Film on Children and Young Adults
- Best Directing, Screenplay, and Student Animator
- Best Theoretical Thesis, Serial Work, Advertising Work, Experimental Film, Motion Graphics, and AI
- Best Screenplay, Animator, Spatial Design, Music, and Sound Design
- Best Feature Film
Silver Trophies will be awarded for Best Character Design and Best Technical and Artistic Achievement. Additionally, a Special Prize from the Festival Secretary and a Special Jury Prize will be presented.
Non-Competitive and Special Screening Sections
14th Tehran International Animation Festival features several non-competitive sections aimed at enriching the cinematic experience and facilitating knowledge exchange:
- Non-Competitive Section: Films in this section are deemed to be of equal quality to those in the competition but may not meet all the competition’s specific regulations (e.g., capacity limitations or director/producer serving on the jury).
- Special Screening: A non-competitive section designed to foster a dynamic environment for the exchange of ideas and experiences. It showcases a selection of award-winning films from various global festivals and may feature a retrospective of a particular school or style of animation.
- Panorama Section: With an emphasis on educational and informational aspects, this non-competitive section screens a selection of productions from different countries. Its focus includes introducing emerging talents, exploring the role of animation in advertising, and reviewing a single filmmaker’s body of work.
All participants are strongly advised to complete their registration through the official festival website. The secretariat will only accept films with an assigned tracking code, ensuring a systematic submission process for the Tehran International Animation Festival.
Festival Objectives
14th Tehran International Animation Festival is built upon three core objectives:
- Exchange and Education: Creating a suitable platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge through the purposeful collection and presentation of works.
- Discovery and Encouragement: Identifying talent and motivating newcomers in the field of animation toward innovation and creativity.
- Growth and Quality: Expanding capabilities by introducing new techniques and perspectives to achieve higher quality in animation production.
Source: Mehrnews