The Tehran Animation Festival will hold its 14th edition in June 2026 (3‑7 Khordad 1405) in Tehran, Iran. Filmmakers from inside and outside Iran are invited to register between 12 Aban and 20 Dey (Iranian calendar).
Festival Background
According to IBland’s News, the first edition of the Festival took place in 1998 with a global selection of animated works. Over time, the festival evolved into a biennial event and today the Tehran Animation Festival has become a well‑recognized platform in the animation industry.
Competition Structure and Sections
The Festival is organized into two main components: “Iran Competition” and “International Competition” (with special sections “Perspective” and “Special Screenings”). Alongside the festival, professional gatherings including specialist panels, a national animation market, contract meetings, pitching sessions and networking with international experts will be held, turning the Tehran Animation Festival into a mini‑university for animation enthusiasts.
The Competition comprises ten categories:
- Short Film
- Feature Film
- Student Film
- Religious Topic
- Children & Youth
- Series
- Advertising
- Experimental
- Motion Graphics
- Artificial Intelligence
In the International section, the Tehran Animation Festival will present exceptional works from Iran and abroad in the “Perspective” and “Special Screenings” segments, aiming to introduce top‑tier animation to Iranian audiences.
Key Dates & Conditions
The 14th edition of the Tehran Animation Festival will be held from 24 to 28 June 2026 in Tehran. The call for entries was issued by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults. Selection of works will take place in the first half ofJanuary 2026.
According to the call, in the competition section the new categories “Olive and Cypresses” (Gaza) focusing on global injustices and the culture of resistance, “Motion Graphics”, and “Artificial Intelligence” have been added. For the Iran Competition, only works produced after 2022 will be accepted; for the International Competition, foreign works produced after January 2022 will be eligible. In the “Perspective” section the Tehran Animation Festival will feature non‑competitive educational and informational pieces; such as up‑and‑coming talents, the role of animation in advertising, or retrospectives on a filmmaker’s body of work.
Why Attend or Submit
By participating in the Tehran Animation Festival, filmmakers gain access to a growing global network, industry‑oriented market sessions, and exposure to both Iranian and international audiences. Whether you are submitting a student film, an AI‑driven animation, a motion‑graphics piece or a children’s series, the Tehran Animation Festival welcomes diverse formats and topics.
Source: hamshahrionline