Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF)

06/02/2026

🦉 As a wise owl once said, the early bird gets the better pass price.

Lock in your pass by July 28 and save with our early bird rates. It's our way of saying thanks for five decades of animation, community and all the mems 💞
🎟️ https://ow.ly/ew1z50Z6SR0

📸 Petr Maur

05/31/2026

Ugh, I can’t believe I’m doing this. Chris Robinson here.

Our social media person is still away on vacation, and the entry deadline is tomorrow. If you still mean to submit your film, do it before the OIAF26 entry window closes at 11:59 PM EDT tomorrow.

Here’s the link: https://www.animationfestival.ca/festival/entries/

Now stop emailing me asking for a deadline extension.

Oh, and tell them I made this post like they asked. They’re back sometime in June.

05/29/2026

In Norm, we trust 🙂‍↕️

This is the message Norman McLaren wrote on the cover of the first‑ever OIAF program book in 1976, the same year he became the festival’s first honorary president.

🇨🇦 Norman McLaren came to Ottawa in 1941, and under his guidance, the NFB launched Canada’s animation, avant‑garde, and experimental film practices, putting Canadian animation on the global map.

🏆 His Oscar‑winning NEIGHBOURS and Cannes‑prize‑winning BLINKITY BLANK are still reference points for how far animation can stretch.

📸 OIAF ‘76 program book cover

05/27/2026

🎤✨ Prep your pitches, Pitch THIS! applications are now open until June 15!

This year up to eight semi‑finalist projects will be selected to present their animated series pitches live at TAC 2026, in September at the National Arts Centre!

Interested applicants should answer the screening questions and submit their pitch documents by 11:59 PM ET on June 15, 2026.
👉 https://ow.ly/riGW50Z4W4p

Thank you to this year's Pitch THIS! supporters-to-date, including Canada Media Fund The House of Cool Toon Boom Animation and Edwards Creative Law.

📸 Petr Maur

05/25/2026

From the archives: the very first OIAF signal film 🦉

🍁 Directed by André Théroux, this 1976 piece introduced the inaugural Ottawa International Animation Festival, held August 10 to 15. The signal film includes variations on the original OIAF logo, showing the 'maturing' of the logo to its final form.

Nearly 50 years later, that legacy continues.

🎥 OIAF 1976 Signal Film (dir. André Théroux)

05/21/2026

🍁 The first all-Canadian jury in OIAF history 🍁

Let that sink in.

🇨🇦 Underscoring five decades of championing Canadian animation and the artists shaping its future. This is the first all-Canadian jury in the festival’s 50-year history.

🦉 ’s jury brings together leading voices in Canadian animation: Luc Chamberland, Lillian Chan, Dave Cooper, Barry Doupé, Alexandra Myotte and Alisi Telengut. Together, the jurors represent a wide range of creative practices and perspectives across Canadian animation and the broader arts community.

05/17/2026

😌 No entry fee, hallelujah.
😌 Salon des refusés, hallelujah.
😌 Academy-qualifying, hallelujah.

Submit your animated work for our 50th Anniversary by 11:59 PM EDT on May 31, 2026.
👉 https://ow.ly/F3CO50YZS9r

05/15/2026

🎥 Calling all budding young film critics!

The Kids Jury is an opportunity for children aged 8-12 to immerse themselves in the world of animation by judging this year’s Young Audiences 7+ competition at the festival. Later that evening, on September 26, the Kids Jury will present awards to the winning filmmaker(s) at the OIAF Awards Ceremony.

🌟 To be considered, complete the Kids Jury application by explaining in a 50-word statement (or in a 15-30 second video) what your favourite animated film or TV series is and why.

Submit your application by May 31, 2026.
👉 https://ow.ly/CNli50YZSiy

📸 Petr Maur

04/21/2026

Tell a friend to tell a friend. We're hiring ❣️❣️❣️

Big year, new role 🫰

We're hiring an Event & Office Coordinator to support the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) as it prepares for its 50th anniversary edition this September.

❣️ This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program and offers a strong opportunity for growth, with the potential to transition into a full-time, permanent role at the Canadian Film Institute.

🎥 In this role, you'll gain hands-on experience in festival operations, supporting box office coordination, administration, and event logistics for one of the world’s leading animation festivals.

Apply before the April 27, 2026, deadline.
👉 https://ow.ly/Om9w50YNBAZ

📸 Ben Wu

03/01/2026

Remain calm.

🚨 Entries are now open. We repeat, entries are now open. 🚨

🐸 Got something animated, absurd, or downright unhinged? We want to see it! Shorts, features, student films, music videos — FTLOF (For The Love Of Frogworth) just no Edgar Allen Poe references of any kind.

We've made some changes for this year, so don't forget to read the FAQ before hitting the submit button.
👉 https://ow.ly/WTpx50Yni8x